Temporal associations between problematic use of the internet and self-stigma among people with substance use disorders: A cross-lagged model across one yearShow others and affiliations
2022 (English)In: Journal of Psychiatric Research, ISSN 0022-3956, E-ISSN 1879-1379, Vol. 156, p. 339-348Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Self-stigma is a common experience for people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Understanding factors associated with self-stigma may aid in intervention development. This study investigated the reciprocal relationship between three types of problematic use of the internet [PUI; i.e. problematic use of social media (PUSM), problematic smartphone use (PSPU), and problematic gaming (PG)] and self-stigma among people with SUDs. This longitudinal study involved five waves of a survey given to individuals with SUDs in Taiwan. A total of 319 participants (85% male), with a mean age of 42.2 years (SD = 8.9), were recruited. The Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Internet Gaming Disorder-Short Form, and Self-Stigma Scale-Short Form were used. No significant associations between PUI and self-stigma were found in early waves (i.e., Waves 1 and 2). The earliest significant finding was identified between Wave 2 PSPU (smartphone) and Wave 3 self-stigma. Additionally, Wave 3 PSPU (smartphone) and PG (gaming) were associated with Wave 4 self-stigma, and Wave 4 PSPU (smartphone), PG (gaming), and PUSM (social media) were associated with Wave 5 self-stigma. Therefore, all three types of PUI (internet) may elevate self-stigma at different time points for individuals with SUDs. However, the reciprocal effects between self-stigma and PUI (internet) only occurred in PUSM (social media) at a later stage (i.e., from Wave 4 to Wave 5). In conclusion, people with SUDs who have PUI (internet) are at increased likelihood of developing more self-stigma, which may then increase subsequent PUSM (social media), forming a vicious cycle.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2022. Vol. 156, p. 339-348
Keywords [en]
Addictive behaviors, Internet addiction, Self-stigma, Smartphone, Social media, Substance-related disorders
National Category
Psychiatry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-58828DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.044ISI: 000933368900009PubMedID: 36323137Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85140622448OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-58828DiVA, id: diva2:1709245
2022-11-082022-11-082023-03-09Bibliographically approved