Increased Internet use and poorer ability to manage emotions in youth at high-risk for psychosis

Abstract

The relationship between Internet use and social behavior remains unknown. However, research indicates that Internet use (IU) may have some causal role in certain types of psychopathology and overall functioning. In contrast, other work suggests that IU may be protective and buffer against social isolation. Poorer emotional processing (EP) is characteristic of schizophrenia, and these deficits are present prior to illness onset (the ultra high-risk period (UHR)). UHR adolescents/young adults also fall within an age demographic characterized by extensive IU, which suggests that evaluating a link between IU and social behavior in this population may be especially informative. The present study examined the relationship between IU and emotional processing in 98 adolescents/young adults (52 UHR youth and 46 controls). UHR youth exhibited greater problematic IU (β = −6.49, F(1,95) = 8.79, p = 0.002) and social withdrawal/problems resulting from this use (β = −3.23, F(1,95) = 11.43, p < 0.001), as well deficits in emotional processing in comparison to healthy peers (β = 4.59, F(1,94) = 5.52, p = 0.011). Furthermore, the social problems resulting from IU was significantly related to the ability to process emotional information in the UHR group (β = −0.51, t(1,48) = −2.10, p = 0.021). UHR youth showed evidence of problematic IU relative to controls, and the social problems resulting from IU related to poorer EP. Findings replicate extant research involving other psychosis risk populations, while adding information regarding how social processes may relate to IU.

Risk and protective factors for psychotic experiences in adolescence: a population-based study

“…These findings build on previous research arising from the SEYLE study which identified significant associations between pathological internet use and suicidal behaviours, depression, anxiety, conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention (Kaess et al, 2014). The findings of the strong associations between maladaptive/pathological internet use and PEs in multivariate analysis adds to growing research which has identified a close link between pathological internet use and PEs (Mittal et al, 2013; Pelletier-Baldelli et al, 2015). It may be that the characteristics of individuals experiencing PEs render this group particularly susceptible to problematic internet use, in particular interpersonal deficits, social withdrawal or impulsivity (Mittal et al, 2013).…”

Negative impact of digital freedoms on Russian youth

“…Changes in the structure of emotional competence of young people when interacting with the Internet are also noted in the work [9], and the lack of elaboration of the problem is emphasized in the paper.…”

“…[6] emphasize the unpredictability of Internet activity and the opposition to upbringing and education as a result of virtual manipulation and digital destructive influence on young people with their unformed mental, psychological and social abilities. Most scientists, both Russian [5,6] and foreign [2,3,7,8,9] consider the uncontrolled Internet as a potential weapon of mass destruction, with the enormous power to transform a reasonable person with his or her value system in a very short period of time.…”

Individual Differences and Psychosis-Risk Screening: Practical Suggestions to Improve the Scope and Quality of Early Identification

“…First, a developmentally-informed conceptualization of risk can be achieved by training clinicians on the unique developmental considerations of this age range, creating anchors within interview tools that reflect typical and atypical development, developing age-informed norms/cutoff scores, maintaining a sensitivity to response style biases, thoroughly probing endorsements to ensure a shared understanding of meaning, and committing to a longitudinal approach (clinically and through research). Second, investigators and clinicians alike can stay current on not only the literature (as we are regularly discovering new potential developmental confounds in this area), but also norms for adolescent behaviors [e.g., around social media use, social engagement patterns, and dating; (37, 38)] and recent trends in subculture identification and practice (a rapidly shifting area with many potential nuances that would likely confound accurate assessment and treatment). Further, investigators can be mindful not to treat the adolescent period as a unidimensional construct, but rather, understand that this is a dynamic span of time, beginning just at the end of late childhood and carrying many individuals into the mid to late 20's.…”