Magistrale

CFU 3

UNITÀ 30

Problematic Internet Use

Objectives

At the end of the course, students will acquire:

  • Knowledge of the main theoretical models concerning Problematic Internet Use and web-mediated behaviors, as well as the scientific debate on the theoretical, conceptual, and methodological definition of addiction, with particular reference to Internet Gaming Disorder, problematic use of Social Networks, and Smartphones.
  • Understanding of the theoretical construct and the psychometric properties of the main self-report measures for the assessment of Problematic Internet Use and other online applications; practical skills in administering, scoring, and interpreting these measures.
  • Competence in designing a psychological prevention intervention targeted at vulnerable populations.

Programme

The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of theoretical models and intervention approaches related to problematic Internet use and its applications across different populations.

In the first part of the course, starting from the concept of new or behavioral addictions, the main theoretical and clinical models offered by the scientific literature will be presented. These models address and problematize the issue of behavioral dependence on the Internet and its applications. The course will also explore the ongoing debates within the scientific community regarding whether problematic Internet use should be considered a primary disorder, or whether, for an accurate classification, it is necessary to take into account the specific online services involved (e.g., social networking sites, pornographic websites, etc.). Beginning with Gaming Disorder (the only Internet-related disorder recognized in the current nosography), the conceptualization of problematic use of Social Networks and Smartphones will be discussed, with reference to the extensive scientific output of recent years.

The second part of the course will examine potential risk and protective factors for problematic online behaviors, with particular attention to the most widely used assessment tools available. Finally, the third and more applied part of the course will focus on intervention strategies described in the literature and on the design of psychological prevention programs in sensitive contexts, targeting potentially vulnerable populations.

Exam

Assessment will be carried out through the submission of written papers or oral presentations, consisting of a personal review of the topic.

Bibliography

  • Baggio, S., Starcevic, V., Studer, J., Simon, O., Gainsbury, S. M., Gmel, G., & Billieux, J. (2018). Technology-mediated addictive behaviors constitute a spectrum of related yet distinct conditions: A network perspective. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32(5), 564. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000379
  • Billieux, J., Schimmenti, A., Khazaal, Y., Maurage, P., & Heeren, A. (2015). Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research. Journal of behavioral addictions, 4(3), 119-123. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.4.2015.009
  • Caplan, S. E. (2002). Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being: Development of a theory- based cognitive-behavioral measurement instrument. Computers in Human Behavior, 18(5), 553- 575. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(02)00004-3
  • Davis, R. A. (2001). A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 17(2), 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00041-8
  • Griffiths, M. (2005). A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. Journal of Substance Use, 10(4), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659890500114359
  • Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Billieux, J., & Pontes, H. M. (2016). The evolution of Internet addiction: A global perspective. Addictive behaviors, 53, 193-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.11.001
  • Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of internet addiction research: Towards a model of compensatory internet use. Computers in human behavior, 31, 351-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.059
  • Moretta, T., Buodo, G., Demetrovics, Z., & Potenza, M. N. (2022). Tracing 20 years of research on problematic use of the internet and social media: Theoretical models, assessment tools, and an agenda for future work. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 112, 152286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152286
  • Schimmenti, A. (2023). Beyond addiction: Rethinking problematic internet use from a motivational framework. Clinical neuropsychiatry, 20(6), 471. doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230601
  • Starcevic, V. (2016). Behavioural addictions: A challenge for psychopathology and psychiatric nosology. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(8), 721-725. https://doi.org/10.1177/00048674166540
  • Wegmann, E., Billieux, J., & Brand, M. (2022). Internet-use disorders: A theoretical framework for their conceptualization and diagnosis. In Mental Health in a Digital World (pp. 285-305). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822201-0.00022-8

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