Psychopathological Correlates of Dysfunctional Smartphone and Social Media Use

The Role of Personality Disorders in Technological Addiction and Digital Life Balance

Bibliographic Data

ID16945504
AuthorsMirko Duradoni (0000-0001-8272-9484, University of Florence), Giulia Colombini (0000-0002-8271-3113, University of Florence), Camilla Barucci (University of Florence), Veronica Zagaglia (University of Florence), Andrea Guazzini (0000-0002-0203-4461, University of Florence)
Year2025
Volume15
Issue7
Pages136
Publication date2025-07-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ejihpe15070136
PMID40709969
OpenAlexW4412653704
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited94

Current technological development has made the Internet and new technologies increasingly present in people’s lives, expanding their opportunities but also potentially posing risks for dysfunctional use. This study aims to identify psychopathological factors associated with dysfunctional ICT use, extending the evidence beyond the well-established relationships with mood disorders to include personality disorders (i.e., cluster C in particular). A total of 711 participants (75.70% female; Mage = 28.33 years, SD = 12.30) took part in the data collection. Firstly, the results showed positive correlations between higher levels of addictive patterns for the Internet, social networks, smartphones and applications, and video games and higher levels of borderline symptoms as assessed by the Borderline Symptom List 23—Short Version. Moreover, scores reflecting high addictive patterns also positively correlated with general narcissistic traits as indicated by the total score of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory 13—Short Version and those specifically described by its Entitlement/Exploitativeness dimension, as well as with higher levels of almost all the personality traits assessed by the Personality Inventory for DSM 5—Brief Form (i.e., negative affectivity, detachment, disinhibition, and psychoticism). These findings broaden the still scarce body of evidence on the relationship between personality disorders and dysfunctional ICT use, which, however, needs to be further explored

Addiction · Big Five personality traits · Developmental psychology · Dysfunctional family · Mood · Narcissism · Personality · Personality disorders · Psychiatry · Psychopathology · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychology · Social Psychology

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