Lisa A. Osborne

Differential psychological impact of internet exposure on Internet addicts.

The study explored the immediate impact of internet exposure on the mood and psychological states of internet addicts and low internet-users. Participants were given a battery of psychological tests to explore levels of internet addiction, mood, anxiety, depression, schizotypy, and autism traits. They were then given exposure to the internet for 15 min, and re-tested for mood and current anxiety. Internet addiction was associated with long-standing depression, impulsive nonconformity, and autism traits. High internet-users also showed a pronounced decrease in mood following internet use compared to the low internet-users. The immediate negative impact of exposure to the internet on the mood of internet addicts may contribute to increased usage by those individuals attempting to reduce their low mood by re-engaging rapidly in internet use.

Problematic Internet Usage and Immune Function

Problematic internet use has been associated with a variety of psychological comorbidities, but it relationship with physical illness has not received the same degree of investigation. The current study surveyed 505 participants online, and asked about their levels of problematic internet usage (Internet Addiction Test), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales), social isolation (UCLA Loneliness Questionnaire), sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and their current health – General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Immune Function Questionnaire. The results demonstrated that around 30% of the sample displayed mild or worse levels of internet addiction, as measured by the IAT. Although there were differences in the purposes for which males and females used the internet, there were no differences in terms of levels of problematic usage between genders. The internet problems were strongly related to all of the other psychological variables such as depression, anxiety, social-isolation, and sleep problems. Internet addiction was also associated with reduced self-reported immune function, but not with the measure of general health (GHQ-28). This relationship between problematic internet use and reduced immune function was found to be independent of the impact of the co-morbidities. It is suggested that the negative relationship between level of problematic internet use and immune function may be mediated by levels of stress produced by such internet use, and subsequent sympathetic nervous activity, which related to immune-supressants, such as cortisol.

Using Brief Cognitive Restructuring and Cognitive Defusion Techniques to Cope With Negative Thoughts

Negative thoughts, experienced by 80% to 99% of the non-clinical population, have been linked to the development of psychopathology. The current study aimed to compare a cognitive restructuring and cognitive defusion technique for coping with a personally relevant negative thought. Over a 5-day period, participants used either a restructuring, defusion, or control strategy to manage a negative thought. Pre- and post-intervention participants reported (a) believability of the thought, (b) discomfort associated with the thought, (c) negativity associated with the thought, and (d) willingness to experience the thought. Daily online questionnaires assessing the total frequency of negative thought intrusions and their level of willingness to experience the negative thought were also used. Also, 10 positive and negative self-statements were rated on the same scales, and self-report measures of mood and psychological flexibility were completed. Findings indicated that defusion lowered believability, increased comfort and willingness to have the target thought, and increased positive affect significantly more than the control and cognitive restructuring. Within groups, cognitive restructuring also made significant gains in target thought discomfort, negativity, and “willingness to have” in the same direction as defusion but the no-instruction control did not. Negative thought frequency was reduced in the defusion group, maintained in the restructuring group, and increased in the no-instruction control group. Similar trends emerged from the secondary outcome measures, that is, the effects of the strategies on the positive and negative self-statements. The current findings support the efficacy of using defusion as a strategy for managing negative thoughts.

Higher impulsivity after exposure to the internet for individuals with high but not low levels of self-reported problematic internet behaviours

The impact of internet exposure on the impulsiveness was explored.Participants were exposed to a choice assessment before and after an internet session.10-20% of the sample had internet-addiction problems.High internet-users displayed greater impulsivity after an internet. The current study explored the impact of internet exposure on the impulsivity of individuals who reported higher or lower levels of problematic internet behaviours. Levels of problematic internet use in 60 individuals were measured using the Internet Addiction Test. Participants were exposed to a choice assessment, in which they could choose between a small immediately-delivered outcome (impulsive), a medium-sized outcome with a medium delay (optimal), and a larger longer-delayed outcome (self-controlled). They were given 15min access to the internet, and finally were presented with the choice test again. Of the sample, 28% (17/60) had internet-problems, with no difference being found between male and female rates of problematic internet use. Those reporting higher levels of internet-problems displayed no greater impulsive behaviours, prior to internet exposure, than those reporting fewer problems. After internet exposure, higher-problem users displayed greater impulsivity, reflected by a move from self-controlled to impulsive choices. These findings suggest that individuals reporting internet-related problems become more impulsive after exposure to the internet.

Relationship Between Self-Reported Health and Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The current study explore the relationship between various forms of experienced stress (general stress and parenting stress) and both health-related quality of life (QoL) and reported physical health symptoms. One hundred and twenty-two mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder responded to an online survey included questionnaires on general stress, parenting stress, health-related QoL, and physical symptoms. The results suggested that perceived general stress as associated with both a reduced health-related QoL and more physical symptoms. However, parenting stress was only associated with a reduced health-related QoL, and not with physical health. These results are discussed in relation to the complex impact of prolonged and predictable parenting stress on the cortisol response and immune system.

Differential physiological changes following internet exposure in higher and lower problematic internet users

Problematic internet use (PIU) has been suggested as in need of further research with a view to being included as a disorder in future Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association, but lack of knowledge about the impact of internet cessation on physiological function remains a major gap in knowledge and a barrier to PIU classification. One hundred and forty-four participants were assessed for physiological (blood pressure and heart rate) and psychological (mood and state anxiety) function before and after an internet session. Individuals also completed a psychometric examination relating to their usage of the internet, as well as their levels of depression and trait anxiety. Individuals who identified themselves as having PIU displayed increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure, as well as reduced mood and increased state of anxiety, following cessation of internet session. There were no such changes in individuals with no self-reported PIU. These changes were independent of levels of depression and trait anxiety. These changes after cessation of internet use are similar to those seen in individuals who have ceased using sedative or opiate drugs, and suggest PIU deserves further investigation and serious consideration as a disorder.

The relationship between schizotypal personality and internet addiction in university students

The current study assessed the relationship between problematic internet behaviors, as measured by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and schizotypal personality traits, measured by the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE(B)). One hundred participants (aged between 20 and 30) were given a battery of psychometric assessments, including the IAT and O-LIFE(B), as well as measures of depression, and anxiety. Around 30% of the sample displayed responses to the IAT that suggested some problems controlling internet behaviors, and there was no gender difference in these figures. There were associations between both the impulsive nonconformity and introverted anhedonia schizotypal personality traits and problematic internet use, over and above those associated with depression and anxiety. This replicates some previous work that implies that impulsiveness and depression are predictive of behavioral addictions, but places them within a single construct. The findings also support the notion of two groups of users who display problematic internet behaviors - impulsive and depressed individuals. Assessed the relationship between internet use and schizotypal personality traits.30% of the sample displayed some problems controlling internet behaviors.No gender differences in internet problems were noted.Impulsive nonconformity and introverted anhedonia correlated with internet problems.This implies impulsiveness and depression predict behavioral addictions.

Problematic internet users' skin conductance and anxiety increase after exposure to the internet

INTRODUCTIONnTo examine the impact of cessation of an internet session on skin conductance responses and anxiety of higher and lower problem internet users, in order to explore possible physiological withdrawal effects.nnnMETHODnParticipants were measured in terms of their skin conductance before (15min), during (15min), and after (15min) an internet session, and completed self-report measures of state anxiety and problematic internet use.nnnRESULTSnHigher, but not lower, problem users showed increased skin conductance after internet use was stopped, relative to before their internet session. Higher problem users GSR scores increased, as the time from internet cessation became longer. Higher problem users also showed increased levels of anxiety, following their internet session, which correlated with their skin conductance scores.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese results suggest that, following termination of an internet session, withdrawal-like effects are seen, both psychologically and physiologically.

Relationship between perceived limit-setting abilities, autism spectrum disorder severity, behaviour problems and parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is high and impacts perceptions about parenting. This study examined the relationship between parenting stress and observer-perceived limit-setting ability. Participants’ perceptions of other parents’ limit-setting ability were assessed by showing participants video clips of parenting behaviours. Mothers of 93 children with autism spectrum disorder completed an online survey regarding the severity of their own child’s autism spectrum disorder (Social Communication Questionnaire), their child’s behaviour problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and their own levels of parenting stress (Questionnaire on Resources and Stress). They were shown five videos of other parents interacting with children with autism spectrum disorder and were asked to rate the limit-setting abilities observed in each video using the Parent–Child Relationship Inventory. Higher parenting stress negatively related to judgements about others’ limit-setting skills. This mirrors the literature regarding the relationship between self-reported parenting stress and rating child behaviour more negatively. It suggests that stress negatively impacts a wide range of judgements and implies that caution may be required when interpreting the results of studies in which parenting skills are assessed by self-report.

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of a Brief Telephone Support Intervention on Initial Attendance at Physiotherapy Group Sessions for Pelvic Floor Problems

OBJECTIVEnTo assess the efficacy of a brief telephone call to patients on a waiting list for physiotherapy treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction on initial attendance.nnnDESIGNnThree-armed randomized controlled trial.nnnSETTINGnOutpatient physiotherapy clinic at a hospital.nnnPARTICIPANTSnFemale patients (N=130; mean age, 51.47±13.33y; range, 26-84y) with various pelvic floor dysfunction problems.nnnINTERVENTIONSnTelephone support call (2-10min) 3 days before or 3 days after receiving an invitation letter to physiotherapy sessions.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnAttendance at the initial physiotherapy group session.nnnRESULTSnGroups receiving a telephone call demonstrated 80% attendance at the session, with no significant difference between these groups. The group receiving no call had significantly lower attendance rates (50%) than did the call groups. The telephone support was more effective in those people who were older, came from less economically deprived areas, and had been on the waiting list for less time.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA brief telephone support call may be an effective method to enhance patient attendance at treatment, but it may work best when targeted at certain groups of individuals.