The Relationships between Compulsive Internet Use, Alexithymia, and Dissociation: Gender Differences among Italian Adolescents

Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction, Problematic Internet Use and Compulsive Internet Use cause distress and significant impairment in important areas of a person's functioning, in particular among young people. The literature has indicated that males show higher levels of problematic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2023-07, Vol.20 (14), p.6431
Main Authors: Germani, Alessandro, Lopez, Antonella, Martini, Elvira, Cicchella, Sara, De Fortuna, Angelo Maria, Dragone, Mirella, Pizzini, Barbara, Troisi, Gina, De Luca Picione, Raffaele
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Addictive behaviors
Alexithymia
Anxiety
Behavior
Child development
Emotions
Gambling
Gender differences
Internet
Loneliness
Males
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Social networks
Teenagers
Young adults
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Summary:Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction, Problematic Internet Use and Compulsive Internet Use cause distress and significant impairment in important areas of a person's functioning, in particular among young people. The literature has indicated that males show higher levels of problematic internet use than females. People can use the internet to avoid or alleviate negative affects; in fact, problematic internet use is associated with alexithymia and dissociation. Few studies have focused on the different stages of adolescence, gender differences, and the relationships between the aforementioned variables. This research aims to fill this gap. Five hundred and ninety-four adolescents aged between 13 and 19 filled in the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Adolescents Dissociative Experiences Scale, and other ad hoc measures. Surprisingly, females reported higher compulsive internet use compared with males. Moreover, they referred more difficulties/symptoms and greater levels of alexithymia than males. No differences across the stages of adolescence were found. Different strengths in the relationships between variables were found according to gender. Moderated mediation analyses indicated that dissociation is an important mediator in the relation between alexithymia and Compulsive Internet Use only among females. This study shed new light on gender differences around problematic internet use and some related risk factors, in order to identify and develop prevention and treatment programs to face this topical and relevant issue.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph20146431