Understanding Online Disinhibition: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Information and Communication Technology and Adolescent Personality, Identity, and Behaviour

<p>A series of investigations were carried out to gain a better understanding of the influence of adolescent personality and identity in predicting online disinhibition. Taking a person-centred approach, the thesis tested whether distinct youth profiles of information and communication technology usage preferences, as well as unique motives of Internet use, would emerge among two adolescent samples; and second, whether these distinct profiles were significantly associated with maladaptive outcomes of personality, identity, and offline and online behaviour. In addition, this thesis also included a specific investigation of the predictive effects of the dark personality traits of narcissism, sadism, and psychopathy on self-perceptions, online disinhibition, and cyber aggression. Study 1 involved two major objectives, first, by using a sample of 933 adolescents, it aimed to identify groups of adolescents who share similar communication technology use habits based on their time spent interacting with various digital communication devices and associated online platforms. Results indicated four distinct profiles of technology use preferences. The second objective of Study 1 was to investigate the degree to which these distinct usage preferences predicted indicators of maladaptive identity and offline behaviours. Most notably, immoral behaviours and compromised identity outcomes were found to be highest among those adolescents who displayed a preference for elevated communication technology use. Overall, the findings illustrate that important constructs of both identity and behaviour are associated with individual communication technology usage preferences. Employing a large sample of 709 adolescents (Mage = 15.56 years), Study 2 was constructed to explore the direct effects of narcissism, sadism, psychopathy, and false self perceptions on online disinhibition and cyber aggression. Path model results indicated that all three dark personality traits, as well as false self, were positively associated with online disinhibition. Second, potential relationships among the dark personality traits, false self perceptions, online disinhibition, and cyber aggression were also examined, and psychopathy, sadistic traits, and online disinhibition were found to be significant predictors of aggressive online behaviour chiefly through indirect effects through false self and online disinhibition. The Study 2 findings collectively provide a more nuanced understanding of how antisocial personality traits are associated with maladaptive identity formation as well as online disinhibition. Finally, in Study 3, using latent profile analysis, distinct group differences behind adolescent motivations (as opposed to Internet habits studied in Study 1) for Internet and social media use were explored. In addition, we examined how personality, false self perceptions, and online disinhibition differed as a function of these motivation classes. Results revealed three discernable profiles of Internet and social media motives where adolescents either exhibited high, medium, or low levels of motives for engaging with the online world. Notably, self-report levels of sadism, perceptions of false self, and online disinhibition were highest among adolescents belonging to the group of youth who exhibited the highest overall motivations for Internet and social media use. In combination, these studies illustrate the importance of considering adolescents as active and decisive consumers of various ICT outlets, as well as online content and platform selection. The thesis highlights how particularly high online engagement is associated with high levels of dysfunctional identity and behaviour, and how personality underlies unique motives to engage with particular online content. The thesis findings also highlight the important role identity construction may play in media selection and engagement, and how a breakdown in identity formation can result in an increase in poor behavioural control online. In conclusion, the study results illuminate that not all engagement with the online world is detrimental to youth, but rather individual characteristics of a developing teen (i.e., personality factors) can predispose adolescents to the online disinhibition effect.</p>

Understanding Online Disinhibition: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Information and Communication Technology and Adolescent Personality, Identity, and Behaviour

<p>A series of investigations were carried out to gain a better understanding of the influence of adolescent personality and identity in predicting online disinhibition. Taking a person-centred approach, the thesis tested whether distinct youth profiles of information and communication technology usage preferences, as well as unique motives of Internet use, would emerge among two adolescent samples; and second, whether these distinct profiles were significantly associated with maladaptive outcomes of personality, identity, and offline and online behaviour. In addition, this thesis also included a specific investigation of the predictive effects of the dark personality traits of narcissism, sadism, and psychopathy on self-perceptions, online disinhibition, and cyber aggression. Study 1 involved two major objectives, first, by using a sample of 933 adolescents, it aimed to identify groups of adolescents who share similar communication technology use habits based on their time spent interacting with various digital communication devices and associated online platforms. Results indicated four distinct profiles of technology use preferences. The second objective of Study 1 was to investigate the degree to which these distinct usage preferences predicted indicators of maladaptive identity and offline behaviours. Most notably, immoral behaviours and compromised identity outcomes were found to be highest among those adolescents who displayed a preference for elevated communication technology use. Overall, the findings illustrate that important constructs of both identity and behaviour are associated with individual communication technology usage preferences. Employing a large sample of 709 adolescents (Mage = 15.56 years), Study 2 was constructed to explore the direct effects of narcissism, sadism, psychopathy, and false self perceptions on online disinhibition and cyber aggression. Path model results indicated that all three dark personality traits, as well as false self, were positively associated with online disinhibition. Second, potential relationships among the dark personality traits, false self perceptions, online disinhibition, and cyber aggression were also examined, and psychopathy, sadistic traits, and online disinhibition were found to be significant predictors of aggressive online behaviour chiefly through indirect effects through false self and online disinhibition. The Study 2 findings collectively provide a more nuanced understanding of how antisocial personality traits are associated with maladaptive identity formation as well as online disinhibition. Finally, in Study 3, using latent profile analysis, distinct group differences behind adolescent motivations (as opposed to Internet habits studied in Study 1) for Internet and social media use were explored. In addition, we examined how personality, false self perceptions, and online disinhibition differed as a function of these motivation classes. Results revealed three discernable profiles of Internet and social media motives where adolescents either exhibited high, medium, or low levels of motives for engaging with the online world. Notably, self-report levels of sadism, perceptions of false self, and online disinhibition were highest among adolescents belonging to the group of youth who exhibited the highest overall motivations for Internet and social media use. In combination, these studies illustrate the importance of considering adolescents as active and decisive consumers of various ICT outlets, as well as online content and platform selection. The thesis highlights how particularly high online engagement is associated with high levels of dysfunctional identity and behaviour, and how personality underlies unique motives to engage with particular online content. The thesis findings also highlight the important role identity construction may play in media selection and engagement, and how a breakdown in identity formation can result in an increase in poor behavioural control online. In conclusion, the study results illuminate that not all engagement with the online world is detrimental to youth, but rather individual characteristics of a developing teen (i.e., personality factors) can predispose adolescents to the online disinhibition effect.</p>

Does Mindfulness Reduce Perceptions of False Self?

<p>Mindfulness, as measured by the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), has been proposed to consist of five component facets. These facets capture the ability to observe present moment experience, to describe that experience using words, to adopt a non-reactive and non-judgemental stance to experience, and to act with awareness. Authenticity is a distinct but related construct, and refers to the perception that one’s outward behaviours are in accord with one’s inner thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Levels of both mindfulness and of authenticity have been found to correlate positively with positive psychological outcomes, such as subjective wellbeing, and to correlate negatively with negative psychological outcomes, such as anxiety and depression. This thesis considered the construct of false self, as measured by the Perceptions of False Self scale (PoFS), to be antithetical to authenticity. In other words, false self refers to the experience of that one’s behaviour is not in accordance with one’s inner thoughts, feelings, or beliefs, leading to the unpleasant experience of inauthenticity or ‘phoniness’. A negative relationship between mindfulness and false self was expected to be found. Ratings on the FFMQ and the PoFS were examined in a population of university undergraduates, both concurrently and longitudinally at four months. Hypotheses for this study were as follows: (H1) mindfulness and false self would negatively correlate, (H2) mindfulness scores would predict a decrease in false self over time, and (H3), in line with prior research, the FFMQ facet of Observing would exhibit a weaker relationship with false self compared to the other FFMQ facets. This study also proposed one research question (RQ1), which sought to determine whether the relationship between mindfulness and false self would be curvilinear such that the negative relationship would be stronger at low levels of mindfulness than at high levels. Correlation matrixes and simultaneous inclusion hierarchical regressions were conducted to investigate H1, H2, and H3, and quadratic and cubic terms were entered into regression analyses to investigate RQ1. H1 and H2 were supported in that FFMQ scores were found to negatively predicted PoFS scores, both concurrently and over time. At the same time, PoFS scores also negatively predicted FFMQ scores over time. However, the predictive effect of mindfulness on false self was stronger than the reverse direction. H3 was supported, in that Observing tended to exhibit a weaker relationship with false self-perceptions compared to the other FFMQ facets. In answer to RQ1, no quadratic and cubic terms reached significance after correcting for the effect of multiple variables, suggesting that the relationship between false self and mindfulness can best be described as linear. The discovery of a longitudinal relationship between mindfulness and false self is a unique finding. This has important implications for the provision of mindfulness as an intervention to prevent the development of known negative psychological outcomes that result from experiences of false self.</p>

Rumination is a Correlate But Not a Cause of Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence

<p>Data reported in this thesis were used to test the applicability of Response Styles Theory (RST; Nolen-Hoeksema, 1987; 1991) to preadolescent and adolescent populations across three studies. First, this thesis tested whether rumination maintained and exacerbated distress, and second, whether female adolescents ruminated more than male adolescents. In addition, this thesis compared rumination's ability to predict depression and anxiety with other predictors of maladjustment, such as stress, sense of control, and perceptions of false self. Study 1 had two major objectives, first to measure the concurrent relationships among stress, rumination, sense of control and depressive symptoms among 310 preadolescents (9-13 years). Results indicated that 13 year old females were slightly more ruminative and depressed than 13 year old males. Second, rumination mediated rather than moderated the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. The second objective of Study 1 was to assess peer and parental influences in developing a ruminative response style. It was tested whether preadolescents expect females to ruminate more than males. In addition, parents (N = 218) of these preadolescents reported whether they would encourage female children to ruminate more than male children. Data showed that preadolescents did not expect female preadolescents to ruminate more than male preadolescents, and similarly, parents did not encourage female children to ruminate more than male children. Study 2 also had two objectives: first, to develop and validate a new scale entitled the Perceptions of False Self scale (POFS), enabling an additional predictor of maladjustment to be compared with rumination. This scale was constructed because existing scales (SWIT; Harter & Waters, 1991) are difficult for adolescents to understand and complete. The POFS scale was developed using a multi-method approach, involving 331 adolescents (11-16 years). The POFS scale proved to be reliable and valid, and exhibited a stronger relationship with maladjustment (depression and anxiety) than existing measures. Study 2 also reported the relationships among stress, rumination, sense of control, perceptions of false self, and maladjustment among 195 adolescents across 10 weeks. Rumination predicted increases in later maladjustment when measured in isolation. However when stress, sense of control, and false self were included as predictors, rumination no longer predicted changes in maladjustment. Interestingly, the direction of effect among the measured variables seemed to flow from maladjustment to risk and vulnerability. In Study 3, depressive and anxious symptoms were measured separately to test whether stress, rumination, sense of control, and perceptions of false self exhibited distinct relationships with anxious and depressive symptoms. Data were collected from 926 adolescents (11-17 years) across 4 months. Females were slightly more ruminative than males from age 12, however, females did not report higher maladjustment until age 14. Furthermore, rumination and depression exhibited a bidirectional relationship across 4 months when measured in isolation, however when additional variables were assessed this relationship disappeared. In fact, anxiety, not rumination, predicted increases in maladjustment. In combination, these studies show that although females report more maladjustment than males, this difference is small, supporting a gender similarities rather than a gender differences perspective. Second, rumination does not predict increases in either depressive or anxious symptoms during adolescence. Therefore, these findings challenge the applicability of RST to adolescent samples. It is concluded that rumination is a correlate, not a cause of depressive and anxious symptoms during adolescence.</p>

Rumination is a Correlate But Not a Cause of Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence

<p>Data reported in this thesis were used to test the applicability of Response Styles Theory (RST; Nolen-Hoeksema, 1987; 1991) to preadolescent and adolescent populations across three studies. First, this thesis tested whether rumination maintained and exacerbated distress, and second, whether female adolescents ruminated more than male adolescents. In addition, this thesis compared rumination's ability to predict depression and anxiety with other predictors of maladjustment, such as stress, sense of control, and perceptions of false self. Study 1 had two major objectives, first to measure the concurrent relationships among stress, rumination, sense of control and depressive symptoms among 310 preadolescents (9-13 years). Results indicated that 13 year old females were slightly more ruminative and depressed than 13 year old males. Second, rumination mediated rather than moderated the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. The second objective of Study 1 was to assess peer and parental influences in developing a ruminative response style. It was tested whether preadolescents expect females to ruminate more than males. In addition, parents (N = 218) of these preadolescents reported whether they would encourage female children to ruminate more than male children. Data showed that preadolescents did not expect female preadolescents to ruminate more than male preadolescents, and similarly, parents did not encourage female children to ruminate more than male children. Study 2 also had two objectives: first, to develop and validate a new scale entitled the Perceptions of False Self scale (POFS), enabling an additional predictor of maladjustment to be compared with rumination. This scale was constructed because existing scales (SWIT; Harter & Waters, 1991) are difficult for adolescents to understand and complete. The POFS scale was developed using a multi-method approach, involving 331 adolescents (11-16 years). The POFS scale proved to be reliable and valid, and exhibited a stronger relationship with maladjustment (depression and anxiety) than existing measures. Study 2 also reported the relationships among stress, rumination, sense of control, perceptions of false self, and maladjustment among 195 adolescents across 10 weeks. Rumination predicted increases in later maladjustment when measured in isolation. However when stress, sense of control, and false self were included as predictors, rumination no longer predicted changes in maladjustment. Interestingly, the direction of effect among the measured variables seemed to flow from maladjustment to risk and vulnerability. In Study 3, depressive and anxious symptoms were measured separately to test whether stress, rumination, sense of control, and perceptions of false self exhibited distinct relationships with anxious and depressive symptoms. Data were collected from 926 adolescents (11-17 years) across 4 months. Females were slightly more ruminative than males from age 12, however, females did not report higher maladjustment until age 14. Furthermore, rumination and depression exhibited a bidirectional relationship across 4 months when measured in isolation, however when additional variables were assessed this relationship disappeared. In fact, anxiety, not rumination, predicted increases in maladjustment. In combination, these studies show that although females report more maladjustment than males, this difference is small, supporting a gender similarities rather than a gender differences perspective. Second, rumination does not predict increases in either depressive or anxious symptoms during adolescence. Therefore, these findings challenge the applicability of RST to adolescent samples. It is concluded that rumination is a correlate, not a cause of depressive and anxious symptoms during adolescence.</p>

Communal Education in the Closed Kibbutz Community as a Reflection of Narcissistic Parenthood

This article attempts to highlight the existence of mental disorders resulting from narcissistic relationships as reflected in the system of communal education that was practiced in Israeli kibbutzim until the 1980s. The narcissistic disorder is characterized by an emotional short-sightedness, a false self, developed as a defence against feelings of worthlessness, and unique behavioural patterns in interaction with others. Narcissists demand much attention, recognition and closeness on the part of their children and spouses, while they themselves lack empathy and find it difficult to respond to subjectivity in others. The spotlight is shone on victims who are affected by narcissistic parents, as well as similar cases of children raised in the system of communal education on kibbutzim. A parallel is drawn between the narcissistic adult and the communal education system which, in adherence to an ideology, fails to see the differential needs of each child and satisfy them. Such children suffer from emotional disorders as a result of the demand made of them to conform to a specific educational model that was in keeping with the times. Three areas are cited in which children brought up in the system experienced deprivation: nights spent with no adult in attendance; conformity in dress and attitude to religion and tradition; and suppression of personal talents and aptitudes. Recommendations are made for treating victims of narcissistic parents and children reared in the system of communal education.

What Are You Guarding?

What role should anger play in a virtuous life? If anger’s rightful target is injustice, and the world is marked by persistent injustice, is it virtuous to be habitually angry? Or, on the contrary, if Christlike character is marked by gentleness, should a virtuous person have little to no anger? To address this puzzle, DeYoung incorporates insights from two strands in Christian thought—one drawing on counsel from the desert fathers and mothers to eschew anger as a manifestation of the false self, and the other from Aquinas, who argues that some anger can be virtuous, if it has the right object and mode of expression. Next, she examines ways that formation in virtuous anger depends on other virtues, including humility, and other practices, such as lament and hope. Finally, she argues for appropriate developmental and vocational variation in anger’s virtuous expression across communities and over a lifetime.

Influence of False Self-Presentation on Mental Health and Deleting Behavior on Instagram: The Mediating Role of Perceived Popularity

The present study explored motivations (need for approval, impression management) for lying self-presentation on Instagram as well as the mental and behavioral outcomes (depression, perceived popularity, deleting behavior on Instagram) of this presentation. We also examined the differential mediational roles of perceived popularity in accounting for the association between lying self-presentation and depression. Our results showed that individuals with a strong need for approval reported higher levels of lying self-presentation. The results also revealed that lying self-presentation positively influenced depression, perceived popularity and deleting behaviors. Furthermore, we found that even if lying self-presentation increased depression, perceived popularity served as a psychological buffer against depression.

Falsehoods Fly

Why do people believe falsehoods? One reason is “truth bias”; we tend to think that what we hear is true, even if we are explicitly told that it is not. Another reason is that falsehoods often trigger strong emotions, which can intensify their hold on us. Falsehoods also get a grip on people as a result of “cascades,” which occur when misinformation travels from one person to another, increasing the sense that many people think that it is true—which adds force to its credibility. We learn from others, even if what we learn is false. Self-interested people are exploiting that psychological fact every day.