Nel presente lavoro si presentano lo stato dell’arte sull’Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) e alcuni modelli teorici alternativi critici rispetto alla categoria di Dipendenza da internet. La rassegna della letteratura mostra che l’IAD è... more
Nel presente lavoro si presentano lo stato dell’arte sull’Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) e alcuni modelli teorici alternativi critici rispetto alla categoria di Dipendenza da internet. La rassegna della letteratura mostra che l’IAD è un concetto ombrello e che non è presente una definizione univoca. Parlare di una generica “dipendenza da internet” è poco utile nella società odierna nella quale una grande mole di attività viene svolta online. Nello studio vengono illustrate le criticità teoriche e metodologiche del costrutto univoco di IAD che hanno portato alcuni ricercatori a spostare il focus su specifiche psicopatologie relate a Internet. Sono importanti nuovi studi sistematici sulle specifiche attività disfunzionali svolte online in modo che le strategie di prevenzione e di trattamento non si risolvano in una semplicistica diminuzione dell’uso di Internet ma che orientino l’utente verso condotte di navigazione più funzionali.
Cybertherapy, the provision of mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality or chat technology (Manhal-Banguas, 2001) is, as yet undiscovered territory in South African mental health. However, the exponential... more
Cybertherapy, the provision of mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality or chat technology (Manhal-Banguas, 2001) is, as yet undiscovered territory in South African mental health. However, the exponential growth of computerized technology may very well serve as a worthy answer in meeting and possibly alleviating the counselling and mental health needs of South African society. Consequently, familiarity with the unique and particular methods of online therapy is essential. The development of explicit guidelines and rules of conduct is also needed so that practitioners and clients may monitor the ethical status of the services that are provided and received. Professional bodies have a role to play in developing these guidelines, communicating them to the relevant parties and then monitoring its implementation. The dynamics involved in ‘cyber-practice’ should also be incorporated as part of all graduate psychology programs.
An important international discussion began because of some pioneer studies carried out by Young (1996a) on the Internet Addiction Disorder. In the fifth and most recent version of the DSM there is no mention of this disorder and among... more
An important international discussion began because of some pioneer studies carried out by Young (1996a) on the Internet Addiction Disorder. In the fifth and most recent version of the DSM there is no mention of this disorder and among researchers there are basically two opposite positions. Those who are in favor of a specific diagnosis and those who are claiming the importance of specific criteria characterizing this behavior and the precise role it has in the patient’s life. The aim of the present paper is to answer the question whether it is possible or not to formulate diagnoses of internet related disorders. We revised literature on the history of diagnostic criteria, on neurocognitive evidence, on the topic debate and on IAD instrumental measures. We found that the disorder was not univocally defined and that the construct was somehow too broad and generic to be explicative for a diagnosis. Indeed, the models are borrowed from other addiction pathologies and they are often formulated before the development of internet as intended in current society. In conclusion, we think we need a more innovative, integrated and comprehensive model for an IAD diagnosis.
It is a common observation that the pace, range, and richness of life seem to be ever increasing, and at an ever-accelerating rate. Technology has come to play a fundamental role in the nature of modern life, and indeed is the most... more
It is a common observation that the pace, range, and richness of life seem to be ever increasing, and at an ever-accelerating rate. Technology has come to play a fundamental role in the nature of modern life, and indeed is the most visible and active agent of this rapid pace of change and progress. Modern society seems to be characterized by its great technologies, which extend our knowledge, power, experience, and sense of presence over vast extents of time and space, from the microscopic to the galactic, and from the ...
Cybersex is a constellation of partnered, online sexual activities; yet, researchers have not considered the relationship between participants. In this study, we examined cybersex within three partner contexts that differ in their degree... more
Cybersex is a constellation of partnered, online sexual activities; yet, researchers have not considered the relationship between participants. In this study, we examined cybersex within three partner contexts that differ in their degree of anonymity: primary partner, someone known who was not a partner (known non-partner), and stranger. Participants were 105 men and 264 women who reported at least one cybersex experience. They completed an online survey that included measures of the incidence, frequency, and desired frequency of cybersex within each partner context. Significantly more men and women reported that they had engaged in cybersex with a primary partner compared to a known non-partner and stranger. Participants also desired significantly more frequent cybersex in this context. Compared to the women, the men desired significantly more frequent cybersex overall but only engaged in more frequent cybersex with a stranger. Within partner contexts, there was a positive association between desired and enacted frequency. In addition, participants who desired more frequent cybersex within one partner context also desired more frequent cybersex within other partner contexts. The findings suggest that to fully understand cybersex experience it is necessary to consider gender and the degree of anonymity in the partner context.
