This doctoral thesis focuses on the analysis of new behavioral addictions, with particular attention to Internet addiction, known as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). The work aims to explore the various neuroscientific and psychosocial aspects of this emerging phenomenon, with the goal of providing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing its onset and development. In the context of the thesis, a crucial distinction is made between substance addictions, such as alcohol and drugs, and behavioral addictions, with a particular focus on the neurobiology of addiction and comorbidities associated with psychological and psychiatric disorders. The work examines in detail how behavioral addictions, particularly IAD, differ from traditional addictions in terms of etiology and clinical manifestation. A theoretical framework has been developed to highlight the risk and protective factors that may influence the development of behavioral addictions. In particular, the role of socio-demographic variables, such as gender and age, and psychosocial variables, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social desirability, is analyzed. This integrated approach allows for an understanding of how different influences may interact and contribute to the predisposition towards problematic behaviors related to Internet use. The thesis presents an empirical contribution through the analysis of three distinct studies, conducted on different samples to provide a more comprehensive overview of the phenomenon. The first study focuses on a sample of Italian subjects not affected by established addictions, assessing the incidence of problematic behaviors related to Internet use and identifying early signs of potential addiction. The second study compares an Italian sample with a Polish sample, in order to highlight national differences in the incidence of IAD and related factors, thus offering a comparative perspective on various addiction models in distinct cultural contexts. Finally, the third study analyzes two Italian samples: a group of subjects diagnosed with substance addiction and a non-dependent control group. This comparison allows for the examination of differences in behavioral patterns and psychological comorbidities, providing insights into how the clinical characteristics of IAD may vary between individuals with and without addiction diagnoses. The results of the studies suggest that IAD is significantly correlated with psychopathological factors such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, confirming the importance of considering these aspects in the treatment and prevention of Internet addiction. Additionally, significant differences emerge between national samples, highlighting the influence of cultural and social factors in determining the prevalence and manifestation of Internet addiction. This underscores the need for personalized and culturally sensitive strategies to effectively address IAD. The thesis concludes with a critique of the diagnostic tools and therapies currently available for the treatment of IAD, suggesting the need for an integrated therapeutic approach. It proposes combining pharmacological interventions with cognitive-behavioral therapy to optimize clinical outcomes and improve the management of Internet addiction.
Questa tesi di dottorato si concentra sull'analisi delle nuove dipendenze comportamentali, con particolare attenzione alla dipendenza da Internet, nota come Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). Il lavoro mira a esplorare i vari aspetti neuroscientifici e psicosociali di questo fenomeno emergente, con l'obiettivo di fornire una comprensione più approfondita dei meccanismi che governano il suo esordio e sviluppo. Nel contesto della tesi, viene fatta una distinzione cruciale tra dipendenze da sostanze, come alcol e droghe, e dipendenze comportamentali, con particolare attenzione alla neurobiologia della dipendenza e alle comorbilità associate a disturbi psicologici e psichiatrici. Il lavoro esamina in dettaglio come le dipendenze comportamentali, in particolare l'IAD, differiscano dalle dipendenze tradizionali in termini di eziologia e manifestazione clinica. È stato sviluppato un quadro teorico per evidenziare i fattori di rischio e protettivi che possono influenzare lo sviluppo delle dipendenze comportamentali. In particolare, viene analizzato il ruolo delle variabili socio-demografiche, come genere ed età, e delle variabili psicosociali, come ansia, depressione, disturbo ossessivo-compulsivo e desiderabilità sociale. Questo approccio integrato consente di comprendere come diverse influenze possano interagire e contribuire alla predisposizione verso comportamenti problematici correlati all'uso di Internet. La tesi presenta un contributo empirico attraverso l'analisi di tre studi distinti, condotti su campioni diversi per fornire una panoramica più completa del fenomeno. Il primo studio si concentra su un campione di soggetti italiani non affetti da dipendenze consolidate, valutando l'incidenza di comportamenti problematici correlati all'uso di Internet e identificando i primi segnali di potenziale dipendenza. Il secondo studio confronta un campione italiano con un campione polacco, al fine di evidenziare le differenze nazionali nell'incidenza di IAD e fattori correlati, offrendo così una prospettiva comparativa su vari modelli di dipendenza in distinti contesti culturali. Infine, il terzo studio analizza due campioni italiani: un gruppo di soggetti con diagnosi di dipendenza da sostanze e un gruppo di controllo non dipendente. Questo confronto consente di esaminare le differenze nei modelli comportamentali e nelle comorbilità psicologiche, fornendo approfondimenti su come le caratteristiche cliniche di IAD possano variare tra individui con e senza diagnosi di dipendenza. I risultati degli studi suggeriscono che l'IAD è significativamente correlata a fattori psicopatologici quali ansia, depressione e disturbo ossessivo-compulsivo, confermando l'importanza di considerare questi aspetti nel trattamento e nella prevenzione della dipendenza da Internet. Inoltre, emergono differenze significative tra i campioni nazionali, evidenziando l'influenza dei fattori culturali e sociali nel determinare la prevalenza e la manifestazione della dipendenza da Internet. Ciò sottolinea la necessità di strategie personalizzate e culturalmente sensibili per affrontare efficacemente l'IAD. La tesi si conclude con una critica degli strumenti diagnostici e delle terapie attualmente disponibili per il trattamento dell'IAD, suggerendo la necessità di un approccio terapeutico integrato. Propone di combinare interventi farmacologici con terapia cognitivo-comportamentale per ottimizzare i risultati clinici e migliorare la gestione della dipendenza da Internet.
New addictions, dependence or compulsion? Neuroscientific and Psychosocial aspects [Nuove dipendenze, dipendenza o compulsione? Aspetti neuroscientifici e psicosociali]
SMERIGLIO, ROSSANA
2025
Abstract
This doctoral thesis focuses on the analysis of new behavioral addictions, with particular attention to Internet addiction, known as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). The work aims to explore the various neuroscientific and psychosocial aspects of this emerging phenomenon, with the goal of providing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing its onset and development. In the context of the thesis, a crucial distinction is made between substance addictions, such as alcohol and drugs, and behavioral addictions, with a particular focus on the neurobiology of addiction and comorbidities associated with psychological and psychiatric disorders. The work examines in detail how behavioral addictions, particularly IAD, differ from traditional addictions in terms of etiology and clinical manifestation. A theoretical framework has been developed to highlight the risk and protective factors that may influence the development of behavioral addictions. In particular, the role of socio-demographic variables, such as gender and age, and psychosocial variables, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social desirability, is analyzed. This integrated approach allows for an understanding of how different influences may interact and contribute to the predisposition towards problematic behaviors related to Internet use. The thesis presents an empirical contribution through the analysis of three distinct studies, conducted on different samples to provide a more comprehensive overview of the phenomenon. The first study focuses on a sample of Italian subjects not affected by established addictions, assessing the incidence of problematic behaviors related to Internet use and identifying early signs of potential addiction. The second study compares an Italian sample with a Polish sample, in order to highlight national differences in the incidence of IAD and related factors, thus offering a comparative perspective on various addiction models in distinct cultural contexts. Finally, the third study analyzes two Italian samples: a group of subjects diagnosed with substance addiction and a non-dependent control group. This comparison allows for the examination of differences in behavioral patterns and psychological comorbidities, providing insights into how the clinical characteristics of IAD may vary between individuals with and without addiction diagnoses. The results of the studies suggest that IAD is significantly correlated with psychopathological factors such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, confirming the importance of considering these aspects in the treatment and prevention of Internet addiction. Additionally, significant differences emerge between national samples, highlighting the influence of cultural and social factors in determining the prevalence and manifestation of Internet addiction. This underscores the need for personalized and culturally sensitive strategies to effectively address IAD. The thesis concludes with a critique of the diagnostic tools and therapies currently available for the treatment of IAD, suggesting the need for an integrated therapeutic approach. It proposes combining pharmacological interventions with cognitive-behavioral therapy to optimize clinical outcomes and improve the management of Internet addiction.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
tesi phd 2024 .pdf
accesso aperto
Dimensione
1.5 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
1.5 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in UNITESI sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/295677
URN:NBN:IT:UNICT-295677