Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance

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Ressource 1Download: Kiraly_CP_2020_Covid.pdf (282.77 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_9C747EF3CBA1
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance
Journal
Comprehensive Psychiatry
Author(s)
Király Orsolya, Potenza Marc N., Stein Dan J., King Daniel L., Hodgins David C., Saunders John B., Griffiths Mark D., Gjoneska Biljana, Billieux Joël, Brand Matthias, Abbott Max W., Chamberlain Samuel R., Corazza Ornella, Burkauskas Julius, Sales Célia M.D., Montag Christian, Lochner Christine, Grünblatt Edna, Wegmann Elisa, Martinotti Giovanni, Lee Hae Kook, Rumpf Hans-Jürgen, Castro-Calvo Jesús, Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin, Higuchi Susumu, Menchon Jose M., Zohar Joseph, Pellegrini Luca, Walitza Susanne, Fineberg Naomi A., Demetrovics Zsolt
ISSN
0010-440X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
100
Pages
152180
Language
english
Abstract
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have introduced steps such as spatial distancing and “staying at home” to curb its spread and impact. The fear resulting from the disease, the ‘lockdown’ situation, high levels of uncertainty regarding the future, and financial insecurity raise the level of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by people all around the world. Psychoactive substances and other reinforcing behaviors (e.g., gambling, video gaming, watching pornography) are often used to reduce stress and anxiety and/or to alleviate depressed mood. The tendency to use such substances and engage in such behaviors in an excessive manner as putative coping strategies in crises like the COVID-19 pandemic is considerable. Moreover, the importance of information and communications technology (ICT) is even higher in the present crisis than usual. ICT has been crucial in keeping parts of the economy going, allowing large groups of people to work and study from home, enhancing social connectedness, providing greatly needed entertainment, etc. Although for the vast majority ICT use is adaptive and should not be pathologized, a subgroup of vulnerable individuals are at risk of developing problematic usage patterns. The present consensus guidance discusses these risks and makes some practical recommendations that may help diminish them.
Keywords
Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental health, COVID-19
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
22/05/2020 15:02
Last modification date
23/05/2020 6:09
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