The social skills model of Generalized Problematic Internet Use (GPIU, Caplan, 2005) predicts that individuals who perceive themselves as having low social competencies are at risk to develop a preference for online social interaction (POSI) over ordinary face to face ones, which, in turn, might lead to compulsive Internet use and negative outcomes in real life. Drawing on the Internet attribute perception model (Schouten et al., 2007) the present study aims to investigate if users’ perceived relevance of computer mediated communication (CMC) attributes –reduced non verbal cues (RNVC) and controllability (RC)—has an effect on POSI levels and negative outcomes, and if this effect is mediated by online disinhibition (OD) mechanism. 631 undergraduate students (43,6% male; mean age 20.56 ± 2.01) were recruited. The GPIU Scale 2 (Caplan, 2010) was administered. Perceived relevance of RNVC, RC and OD were measured by eight items adapted from Schouten (2007). Results from structural equation modeling (fit indices: χ2= 223.83, df = 71, p <.001; RMSEA = .058, 90% C.I. = .050. 067; CFI = .97; SRMR = .05) show that both RC and RNVC predict OD, which, in turn, predicts the level of POSI. This latter predicts negative outcomes. A direct effect of RC on POSI (not through OD) was also found. Studies taking into account the perceived relevance of CMC attributes are needed to understand the complex mechanisms that link psychosocial problems, POSI, and the tendency for GPIU.

An Explanatory Model of Preference for Online Social Interaction among Young People / Fioravanti, G; Lecchi, S; Casale, S. - ELETTRONICO. - (2013), pp. 0-0. (Intervento presentato al convegno 13th European Congress of Psychology,).

An Explanatory Model of Preference for Online Social Interaction among Young People

FIORAVANTI, GIULIA;CASALE, SILVIA
2013

Abstract

The social skills model of Generalized Problematic Internet Use (GPIU, Caplan, 2005) predicts that individuals who perceive themselves as having low social competencies are at risk to develop a preference for online social interaction (POSI) over ordinary face to face ones, which, in turn, might lead to compulsive Internet use and negative outcomes in real life. Drawing on the Internet attribute perception model (Schouten et al., 2007) the present study aims to investigate if users’ perceived relevance of computer mediated communication (CMC) attributes –reduced non verbal cues (RNVC) and controllability (RC)—has an effect on POSI levels and negative outcomes, and if this effect is mediated by online disinhibition (OD) mechanism. 631 undergraduate students (43,6% male; mean age 20.56 ± 2.01) were recruited. The GPIU Scale 2 (Caplan, 2010) was administered. Perceived relevance of RNVC, RC and OD were measured by eight items adapted from Schouten (2007). Results from structural equation modeling (fit indices: χ2= 223.83, df = 71, p <.001; RMSEA = .058, 90% C.I. = .050. 067; CFI = .97; SRMR = .05) show that both RC and RNVC predict OD, which, in turn, predicts the level of POSI. This latter predicts negative outcomes. A direct effect of RC on POSI (not through OD) was also found. Studies taking into account the perceived relevance of CMC attributes are needed to understand the complex mechanisms that link psychosocial problems, POSI, and the tendency for GPIU.
2013
Abstract book of the 13th European Congress of Psychology
13th European Congress of Psychology,
Fioravanti, G; Lecchi, S; Casale, S
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1058293
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