Publication Date

2013

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Internet addicts-Family relationship, Internet addiction-Psychological aspects, Internet addicts-Psychology, Attachment behavior in children, Attachment behavior in adolescence, Parent and child, Neurobiology, Technology addiction, Addiction, Attachment, Brain

Abstract

New technologies have been evolving at a rapid pace over the last few decades. The convenience afforded by many technologies presents interesting questions in terms of attachment. Recent research on internet addiction disorder (IAD) has revealed that technology may be affecting people on a social, familial, and neurophysiological basis. This research explores the effects of technology on the parent-child relationship. The research interviewed six participants through telephone interviews: treatment participants (TP, n=2) in this research are both young men who meet criteria for IAD and completed treatment relative to their technology addiction; clinical participants (CP, n=4) in this research are clinicians that work in treatment centers that serve clients that meet criteria for IAD. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Due to the small sample size, this study's findings are not generalizable; however, there were still some interesting findings and considerations. This research identified some common behavioral patterns in people with IAD and their families. Additionally, study participants suggest that failure to recognize and treat IAD will likely result in persistence of symptoms. Findings may be of interest to clinicians in addition to future research.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 129 p. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, 2013. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-111)

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