scholarly journals Problematic internet use prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo Zarco-Alpuente ◽  
Víctor Ciudad-Fernández ◽  
Rafael Ballester-Arnal ◽  
Joël Billieux ◽  
María Dolores Gil-Llario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Problematic Internet Use ◽  
Video Gaming ◽  
Psychological Risk Factors ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Psychological Risk ◽  
Watching Tv

The health and socio-economic challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to greater reliance on the internet to meet basic needs and responsibilities. Greater engagement in online activities may have negative mental and physical health consequences for some vulnerable individuals, particularly under mandatory self-isolation or ‘lockdown’ conditions. The present study investigated whether changes in levels of involvement in online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., watching TV series, online sexual activities, video games, social networks, gambling, online shopping, and instant messaging) were associated with problematic internet use, as well as whether certain psychological risk factors (positive/negative affect and impulsivity) were significant predictors of these changes. A total of 1,275 participants (66.1% female, aged between 18-55 years) completed an online survey while in lockdown in Spain (April 15th-23rd, 2020). The survey assessed current engagement in seven different online activities and their engagement prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as psychological risk factors (affect and impulsivity). Most participants (between 60.8%-98.6% depending on the activity) reported no changes in participation in online activities, but there was a significant increase in weekly internet use (between 25 and 336 min). However, increased internet use was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in problematic use, except for problematic TV series watching and video gaming. Psychological risk factors considered in the study (affect, impulsivity traits) were largely minor or non-significant predictors. Thus, increased internet use during the lockdown in Spain was not related to a proportional growth in problematic usage, suggesting that these behavioral changes may constitute adaptive coping strategies in the context of the pandemic.

Looking at the bigger picture: Young men’s sexual health from a psychological perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica S Tutino ◽  
Krystelle Shaughnessy ◽  
Allison J Ouimet
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Perspective ◽  
Psychological Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Quality Of Life ◽  
Sexual Outcomes ◽  
Psychological Risk ◽  
Analysis Models

Researchers have seldom compared how various psychological factors relate to men’s sexual health. We sought to identify whether and how psychological risk factors (i.e. anxiety sensitivity, emotion regulation, psychological distress) predict men’s sexual health (i.e. functioning, sexual quality of life, frequency of sexual activity). Men ( N = 306) completed an online survey measuring emotional, psychological, and sexual outcomes. Comparisons of four path analysis models suggested that psychological risk factors are related to some but not all sexual health markers. We will highlight the factors that may place young men at risk for developing mental and sexual health difficulties.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors of internet gaming disorder and problematic internet use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A large online survey of Japanese adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiki Oka ◽  
Toshitaka Hamamura ◽  
Yuka Miyake ◽  
Nao Kobayashi ◽  
Masaru Honjo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internet Gaming Disorder ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Problematic Internet Use ◽  
Gaming Disorder ◽  
Internet Gaming ◽  
The Impact

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) are becoming increasingly detrimental in modern society, with serious consequences for daily functioning. IGD and PIU may be exacerbated by lifestyle changes imposed by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated changes in IGD and PIU during the pandemic and risk factors for them. This study is a part of a larger online study on problematic smartphone use in Japan, originally planned in 2019, and expanded in August 2020 to include the impact of COVID-19. 51,246 adults completed an online survey during the pandemic (August 2020), in Japan. Of these, 3,938 had also completed the survey before the onset of the pandemic (December, 2019) and were used as the study population to determine how the pandemic has influenced IGD and PIU. IGD was assessed using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS). PIU was measured using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). The prevalence of probable IGD during COVID-19 was 4.1% [95%CI, 3.9% to 4.2%] overall (N=51,246), and 8.6% among younger people (age < 30), higher than reported before the pandemic (1 - 2.5%). Probable PIU was 7.8% [95%CI, 7.6% to 8.1%] overall, and 17.0% [95%CI, 15.9% to 18.2%] among younger people, also higher than reported before the pandemic (3.2 - 3.7%). Comparisons before and during the pandemic, revealed that probable IGD prevalence has increased 1.6 times, and probable PIU prevalence by 1.5 times (IGD: t3937 = 5.93, p < .001, PIU: t3937 = 6.95, p < .001). Youth (age < 30) and COVID-19 infection were strongly associated with IGD exacerbation (odds ratio, 2.10 [95%CI, 1.18 to 3.75] and 5.67 [95%CI, 1.33 to 24.16]). Internet gaming disorder and problematic internet use appear to be aggravated by the pandemic. In particular, younger persons and people infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk for Internet Gaming Disorder. Prevention of these problems is needed.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic and Psychological Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression: Findings from the Covid-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland on Mental Health (CHARIS-MH) Cross-sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Hubbard ◽  
Chantal den Daas ◽  
Marie Johnston ◽  
Diane Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Illness Representations ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Risk Factors ◽  
Psychological Risk

Abstract Background Investigations about mental health report prevalence rates with fewer studies investigating psychological and social factors influencing mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Study aims: (1) identify sociodemographic groups of the adult population at risk of anxiety and depression and (2) determine if the following social and psychological risk factors for poor mental health moderated these direct sociodemographic effects: loneliness, social support, threat perception, illness representations. Methods Cross-sectional nationally representative telephone survey in Scotland in June 2020. If available, validated instruments were used, for example, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) to measure anxiety and depression. Simple linear regressions followed by examination of moderation effect. Results A total of 1006 participants; median age 53 years, 61.4% female, from all levels of area deprivation (i.e., 3.8% in the most deprived decile and 15.6% in the most affluent decile). Analyses show associations of anxiety and depression with sociodemographic (age, gender, deprivation), social (social support, loneliness) and psychological factors (perceived threat and illness representations). Mental health was poorer in younger adults, women and people living in the most deprived areas. Age effects were exacerbated by loneliness and illness representations, gender effects by loneliness and illness representations and deprivation effects by loneliness, social support, illness representations and perceived threat. In each case, the moderating variables amplified the detrimental effects of the sociodemographic factors. Conclusions These findings confirm the results of pre-Covid-19 pandemic studies about associations between sociodemographics and mental health. Loneliness, lack of social support and thoughts about Covid-19 exacerbated these effects and offer pointers for pre-emptive action.

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