Behavioral manifestations of computer addiction and personality traits of adolescents

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the relationship of behavioral manifestations (symptoms) of computer addiction with the personality characteristics of adolescents. However, there is terminological uncertainty in the available literature: the concepts of "predictors" (risk factors preceding the formation of dependence), "symptoms" (already formed behavioral manifestations) and "degree of dependence" are often mixed. Most modern studies use standardized questionnaires (for example, the K. Young scale) that measure the severity of symptoms. In this work, the author also explores the behavioral manifestations of already existing involvement in computer games, but uses the author's tool, which is a limitation, but allows you to quickly assess specific indicators in the adolescent environment. The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between the severity of behavioral signs of computer addiction and the personality traits of adolescents. The study involved 60 students in grades 8-9 (14-15 years old). The adolescent version of the R. Kettell questionnaire (HSPQ), the pathocharacterological diagnostic questionnaire (A.E. Lichko, N.Ya. Ivanov) and the author's questionnaire for assessing behavioral signs of dependence (at the stage of testing) were used. The conclusions established significant differences in personality characteristics between groups of adolescents with different levels of behavioral manifestations of computer addiction. Adolescents with high levels show a tendency toward greater anxiety, conservatism, and reduced emotional stability compared to the low-level group. However, due to the lack of validation of the author questionnaire, these differences should be interpreted as exploratory, requiring confirmation on standardized samples. Correlations between the level of behavioral manifestations and personal characteristics were identified: negative associations with factor M (practicality) in the middle group, positive with the schizoid type of accentuation, and negative with factor N (diplomacy) in the high-level group. The proposed author questionnaire cannot be recommended for diagnostic purposes in its current form. The practical significance of the work is limited, but the data obtained can be used to formulate hypotheses in larger studies using the K. Young questionnaire or other standardized tools.