Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. However, the cognitive components of problematic internet use are not yet well-known. The aim of the present study was to explore the cognitive components, that according to problematic users, can lead to potential internet addiction. A total of European adults completed an online survey using a mixed-methods design. Internet problems and attachment styles were assessed, prevalence rates estimated, correlations, chi-squared automatic interaction detection, and content analysis were performed.
Self-reported addictions to social networking, internet, and gaming had a prevalence between 1. Self-perception of the addiction problem and preoccupied attachment style were discriminative factors for internet addiction. In an analysis of qualitative responses from self-identified compulsive internet users, a sense of not belonging and feeling of disconnection during life events were perceived as causes for internet addiction.
The development depended on a cycle of mixed feelings associated with negative thoughts, compensated by a positive online identity. It is suggested that health professionals administering CBT should target unhealthy preoccupations and monitor mixed feelings and thoughts related to internet use to support coping with cognitive distortions. Keywords: cognitive-behavioural therapy, cognition, behaviours, internet addiction, compulsive internet use, internet use-related addiction, adults, preoccupied attachment style, mixed-methods.
These interventions emerged during the second half of the 20th century and evolved in the s alongside Mindfulness-Based Therapies i. These treatment approaches seek to help users build self-confidence and address problematic cognitions which are at the root of the addiction problems e. However, there is still a gap in knowledge regarding what these underlying cognitions are in emergent addiction disorders, especially those related to the use of current technologies.
The first step consists of managing present beliefs linked to thoughts e. Subsequently, the addictive behaviours and feelings linked to both, internal and external factors that may have had a role in generating or maintaining the addictive usage patterns and identifying the set of vulnerabilities the individual presents with should be targeted.
