Browsing by Author "Macedo, A."
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- Generalized problematic internet use and perfectionism in Portuguese university studentsPublication . Maia, B. Rodrigues; Soares, M. J.; Pereira, A. T.; Marques, M.; Carvalho, F.; Macedo, A.Introduction: Although there are several empirical studies exploring the relationship between problematic Internet use and personality traits, few had considered perfectionism. Objectives: To explore the association between generalized problematic Internet use and perfectionism. Methods: A sample of 433 Portuguese university students (Mage = 20.15 years, SD = 1.77, range = 18-25 years) completed the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2/GPIU and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Composite Scale – short version. Results: GPIU total score (rs=.16**), Mood Regulation (rs=.22**), and Deficient Self-Regulation (rs=.13**) were correlated with Positive Striving factor. GPIU total score (rs=.38**), Preference for Online Social Interaction (rs=.16**), Mood Regulation (rs=.28**), Deficient Self-Regulation (rs = .33**), and Negative Consequences (rs=.41**) were significantly correlated with Evaluative Concerns factor. A one-way between groups analysis of variance was conducted to explore the relation between GPIU and perfectionism. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their GPIU risk levels (Group1:low-risk; Group2:medium-risk; Group3:high-risk). There was a statistically difference at p >.05 level in Positive Striving scores for the three risk level groups: F (2,430)=4.39, p=.013, and in Evaluative Concerns scores, F (2,430)=28.83, p=<.001. Post-hoc comparisons using the Tukey USD test, for Positive Striving, indicated that the mean score for Group1 (M=39.21, SD=8.56) was significantly different from Group3 (M=43.69, SD=9.74). Considering Evaluative Concerns, the mean score for Group1 (M=39.86, SD=11.31) was significantly different from Group2 (M=46.91, SD=11.42) and from Group3 (M=51.75, SD=8.54). Conclusions: GPIU is consistently related to maladaptive perfectionism. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the bidirectional association between GPIU and perfectionism traits.
- Generalized problematic internet use, use of social networks, and appearance schemas in late adolescencePublication . Maia, B. Rodrigues; Moreira, H.; Macedo, A.; Pereira, A. T.Introduction: Research on the association between internet use and concerns about body image is still scarce. Objectives: To explore the associations between generalized problematic internet use, number of social networks, and appearance schemas. Methods: 216 Portuguese late adolescents (89.3% females), with a mean age of 18.62 years old (SD = .488, range: 18-19) filled in an internet patterns of use questionnaire, the Generalized Problematic Interne Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) and The Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R). Results: A total of 99.6% of the students use social networks. Subjects were divided into three groups (group1: 1-2 social networks; group 2: 3 social networks, and group 3: >3 social networks). There was a statistically difference in Motivational Salience scores (ASI-R) for the three groups [F (2, 503) = 6.0, p = .003]. Post-hoc comparisons indicated that the mean score for group 3 (M = 28.29, SD = 4.95) was significantly different from group 1 (M = 26.69, SD =4.55), and from group 2, (M = 26.87, SD =4.95). Generalized problematic internet subscales (Mood Regulation, Self-Deficient Regulation, and Negative Consequences) and total score were significantly correlated with both dimensions of ASI-R: Self-Evaluation Salience (coefficients varied from r = .31** to r = .47**) and Motivational Salience (from r = .14*, to r = .31**). Conclusions: Generalized problematic internet use and the number of social networks are associated with adolescent’s cognitive-behavioural investment in one’s own appearance. Study carried out under the strategic project of the Centre for Philosophical and Humanistic Studies (CEFH) UID/FIL/00683/2019, funded by the FCT.
- Generalized problematic internet use: an impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder?Publication . Araújo, A.; Pereira, A. T.; Soares, M. J.; Maia, B. Rodrigues; Macedo, A.Introduction: Generalized problematic internet use/GPIU has recently been associated with the impulsive-compulsive spectrum/ICS, but its mapping onto these behaviour dimensions is relatively unexplored. Objectives: To compare patterns of internet use and scores of BIG-5 personality traits, perfectionism and psychological distress between groups with low/high levels of GPIU. Methods: 475 university students (78.9% girls; mean age 20.22±1.695) answered the Portuguese versions of: GPIU Scale, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-13, NEO-FFI-20, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and other questions about internet use. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were performed using SPSS. Results: Individuals with high levels of GPIU (median+2SD; n=18; 3.8%) spent significantly more time/day in online activities, exceeding what they have planned; had no other hobbies and used social networks to meet friends; reported that GPIU interfered with affective/work relationships and academic performance (all p<.05). There were no significant differences in the purposes of the internet use (e-mail, social networks, shopping, videogames, multimedia, sexual, work…), unless for general information searching and betting games (both p<.05). High-PGIU group also presented significant higher levels of neuroticism, negative (but not positive) perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress (all p<.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that unlike the purposes of internet use, personality, perceived interference and the associated cognitive-emotional processes and symptoms (psychological distress) may help distinguishing between functional vs. dysfunctional internet use. Considering the preponderance of processes over contents and the presence of certain dimensions, such as perception of uncontrollability, interference and social isolation we add more evidence to consider PGIU as falling within the spectrum of impulsive-compulsive disorders.
- The relationship between insecure attachment and suicidal ideation and attempt in late adolescencePublication . Maia, B. Rodrigues; Soares, M. J.; Moreira, H.; Pereira, A. T.; Macedo, A.Suicide is an emerging public mental health problem, and it is the second cause of death in young people aged 15 to 20 years old. This study aims to explore the relationships between insecure attachment and suicidal ideation and attempt in late adolescence. A sample of 216 Portuguese students, with a mean age of 18.62 years old (SD = 0.49; range: 18-19), completed the Portuguese version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire, and two items assessing suicidal ideation and attempt. The percentage of suicidal ideation was of 22.3% (n = 48) and of suicidal attempt was of 3.2% (n = 7). Anxiety attachment was negatively correlated with suicidal ideation (rs = –.26**, p = <.001), and avoidance attachment was negatively correlated with suicidal attempt (rs = –.22**, p = .002). Non-significant correlations were found between avoidance attachment and suicidal ideation and between anxiety attachment and suicidal attempt. Significant differences were found in the attachment anxiety levels of adolescents with suicidal ideation (Md = 137.27, n = 47) and adolescents who never had suicidal ideation (Md = 99.12, n = 167), U = 2525.500, z = –3.739, p = <.001). Significantly differences were also found in attachment avoidance between suicidal attempters (Md = 173.86, n = 7) and never suicidal attempters (Md = 101.56, n = 200), U = 211.000, z = –3.144, p = .002). Non-significant differences were found in the attachment avoidance and anxiety levels of adolescents with and without suicidal ideation and between attempters and never suicidal attempters, respectively. This study confirms the important role of insecure attachment in suicidal behaviour in late adolesence. Further studies are needed to highlight the nature of this link.
- The relationship between body mass index and internet problematic use, eating disturbances, sleep difficulties, and psychological distress in portuguese university studentsPublication . Soares, M. J.; Pereira, A. T.; Maia, B.; Gomes, A.; Macedo, A.Introduction: Body mass index (BMI), in overweight and obese individuals, have been associated with sedentary habits, unhealthy use of internet, eating disturbances, sleep difficulties, and psychological distress. Objectives: To investigate the association between BMI and internet use patterns and problematic use, eating disturbances, sleep difficulties, and psychological distress among Portuguese university students Methods: 456 students (76.9% females; meanSD age=20.301.90 years old) fulfilled a questionnaire that include questions on sociodemographic data, internet use patterns, eating habits during internet use, the Portuguese version of the Generalized Problematic Interne Use Scale 2 (GPIU), the Eating Attitudes Test 25, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21, and the Basic Scale on Insomnia Complaints and Quality of Sleep (BaSIQS). Results: BMI mean score was of 22.01 (SD=2.91, range 15-35), underweight were 6.1%, normal weight 81.1%, overweight 10.7% and obese 2%. Significant correlations were found between BMI and individual’s perception that online activity’s impair the quality of their interpersonal relationships (r=.104, p<.05), consume of sweet/ salty/ starchy foods during online activity´s (r=.107, p<.05), global eating disturbances (r=.174, p<.01), diet concerns (r=.301, p<.01), bulimic behaviours (r=.204, p<.01), social pressure to eat (r=-.430, p<.01), psychological distress (r=.114, p<.05), stress (r=.101, p<.05), anxiety (r=.128, p<.01). None of the GPIU and BaSIQS total and dimensions scores were significantly related to BMI. Conclusions: The results do not support the association between students BMI and internet use patterns and problematic use. The kind of food consumed during online activity´s, eating disturbances and psychological distress should be addressed by intervention strategies for overweight students.