The relationship between maladaptive personality functioning and problematic technology use in adolescence

A cluster analysis approach

Bibliographic Data

ID21391864
AuthorsSimone Amendola (0000-0002-1950-4351, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy), Valentina Spensieri (0000-0001-5413-3528, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy), Giuseppe Stefano Biuso (0000-0002-4803-1565, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy), Rita Cerutti (0000-0002-3276-8394, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume61
Issue6
Pages809-818
Publication date2020-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScandinavian Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0036-5564 • E-ISSN: 1467-9450
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjop.12664
PMID32754935
OpenAlexW3047489445
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited74

In the last two decades, scientific research has explored the problematic use of internet, videogames and mobile phones. However, there is still little consistent knowledge regarding the co‐occurrence of problematic technology use and the role of maladaptive personality characteristics in adolescence. The present study aimed to investigate adolescents' styles of technology use with a cluster analysis approach focusing on personality functioning. The sample comprised 408 Italian adolescents (46.3% males) aged 11 to 18 years (M age = 13.80; SD = 2.08). Data were collected using the Internet Addiction Test, the Videogame Dependency Scale, the Test of Mobile‐Phone Dependence Brief Form and the Personality Inventory for DSM5 Brief Form. Results provided a four‐cluster solution based on the co‐occurrence of problematic technology use. The four clusters were labeled as follows: cluster 1: “Above average internet and mobile‐phone use”; cluster 2: “Below average technology use”; cluster 3: “Above average videogame use”; and cluster 4: “Problematic technology use.” Analyses on demographic variables (e.g., gender and age) demonstrated significant differences between the four groups. Adolescents with high levels of problematic technology use reported greater overall personality dysfunction than the other three groups. This finding supported our hypothesis on maladaptive personality functioning in adolescents at risk for addiction. Finally, the Antagonism domain played a specific role in differentiating the severity of adolescents' involvement in technology use. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to plan preventive interventions as well as therapeutic treatments

Addiction · Cluster (spacecraft) · Developmental psychology · Mobile phone · Personality · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Psychology · Social Psychology