Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students

Loredana Benedetto
ORCID logo ,
Simone Rollo
* ORCID logo ,
Anna Cafeo
,
Gabriella Di Rosa
,
Rossella Pino
,
Antonella Gagliano
,
Eva Germanò
,
Massimo Ingrassia
* ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 30 January 2024 / Approved: 31 January 2024 / Online: 31 January 2024 (07:19:03 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Benedetto, L.; Rollo, S.; Cafeo, A.; Di Rosa, G.; Pino, R.; Gagliano, A.; Germanò, E.; Ingrassia, M. Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 386. Benedetto, L.; Rollo, S.; Cafeo, A.; Di Rosa, G.; Pino, R.; Gagliano, A.; Germanò, E.; Ingrassia, M. Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 386.

Abstract

In a digitally oriented society, smartphones provide continual online accessibility to daily life, while simultaneously predisposing adolescents to engage in prolonged connections for various purposes, thus escalating the risk of Internet Addiction (IA). Cognitive processes such as multitasking and attentional shifting are frequently associated with smartphone activities. Additionally, online engagements may serve as emotional strategies for regulating negative states (e.g., boredom and distress), redirecting attention towards more gratifying activities, such as social media content. This study delves into cognitive-emotional processes (emotion regulation, attention impulsiveness, online vigilance, and multitasking) and emotional/behavioural factors (emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationships, and prosocial behaviours) that may be implicated in smartphone activities and technology addiction among adolescents. A community sample (N=676) of Italian high school students (42.2% females) completed the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS), the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for internalizing/externalizing symptoms (SDQ), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess the presence and severity of IA. The scores on the Smartphone Distraction Scale were found to be positively associated with IA levels. Furthermore, students exhibiting higher internalizing/externalizing symptoms, particularly those with traits of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are more likely to manifest problematic smartphone usage. The implications for screening adolescents more susceptible to developing IA symptoms and for implementing preventive interventions are discussed.

Keywords

smartphone distraction; Internet addiction; adolescents; emotional regulation; hyperactivity/inattention

Subject

Social Sciences, Psychology

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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