The impact of personality traits on social

Authors
Sabina Melnik (M.D), Yossi Michaeli (Ph.D),
Liron Shriki, MD

media and computer game use among Affiliations

"Merhavim" Medical Center for Brain and

teenagers with psychopathology at the day

Mental Care, Beer-Yaakov // Nes-Ziona
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of
Medicine, Tel Aviv University

care unit at "Merhavim" center

Department of Medical Education, Faculty
of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

01 Introduction 03 Methodology 05 Results 07 Conclusions

Teenagers' intensive use of screens has
replaced real-world interactions and
leisure activities.
Health experts recommend reducing
screen time despite conflicting data on
its impact on teens' quality of life.
While there may be a slight negative
correlation, the reason and outcome are
unknown.
Pathological internet use is more
common among those with
psychopathology.
Studies show a link between certain
personality traits and the transition from
normative to pathological internet use.
More research is needed on other
personality traits and interpersonal
factors that may contribute to this
transition.
A cross-sectional study was carried out in a
day care unit for teenagers aged 12-18
Informed consent was obtained from
participants and their parents, and
confidentiality and participants' rights were
ensured.
Participants completed self-administered
questionnaires as described below:
IGD Internet Gaming Disorder Scale
SMD Social Media Disorder Scale
CDI Children's Depression Inventory
SWLS Satisfaction with life scale
ECRS Experiences in Close Relationships Scale
NRI Network Relationships Inventory
40 item Defense Style Questionnaire
The “Big Five” Inventory
The study involved 25 participants, including 7 boys
and 18 girls, with a mean age of 15.95 [SD=1.56].
The average social media use was 21.92 (SD=9.55)
as per the SMD scale, with girls (M=24.44) using
social media more than boys (M=16.57).
The average computer game use was 19.33
(SD=8.19) as per the IGD scale, with boys (M=21.71)
playing computer games more than girls (M=18.78).
Excessive media use was predicted by anxious
attachment style (r=0.49), immature defense
mechanisms (r=0.59), and neuroticism (r=0.56).
Avoidant communication style did not relate to
excessive media use (r=0.1).
There was no significant relationship between social
media use and depression (r=0.20).
Excessive use of computer games was predicted by
neuroticism (r=0.49) and limited social support
(r=-0.44).
Negative correlation was found between low social
support and depression rates (r=-0.72).
The study provides insight into potential
psychological factors associated with excessive
use of social media and computer games among
adolescents.
Results align with attachment theory, suggesting
that individuals with insecure attachment styles
may be more prone to maladaptive coping
strategies and excessive use of the virtual world.
High levels of neuroticism and low levels of
defense mechanisms are also associated with
excessive virtual world use as a way to cope with
emotional distress.
Decreased social support was linked to increased
computer game use and depression rates,
highlighting the importance of social connections
in adolescent mental health.
The findings may have implications for
developing interventions to reduce excessive
technology use and promote healthy coping
strategies among adolescents.

02 04 Analysis 06 Graphs
Objectives
Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was SMD IGD
calculated to assess the strength and
Investigate the personal and interpersonal r=0.6 5
direction of relationship between variables
characteristics that may contribute to an r=0.4
based on the questionnaires.
increased risk of pathological use of
The variables included indices such as r=0.2 4
social media and computer games, such
defense mechanisms, attachment style, r=0
as defense mechanisms and attachment 3
neuroticism, anxiety, and depression. The r=-0.2
style, in adolescents receiving treatment
study examined their relationships with r=-0.4
at "Merhavim" day care unit. 2
social media and gaming addiction. r=-0.6
The correlations were considered 1
t.

h.

t.

on

t
or
statistically significant when the p-value
.s

.s
ec

is

is
si

pp
ic

ic
ch

ch

es
m

ot

ot
was less than 0.05.

su
ta

ta

pr 0
f.

ur

ur
de
at

at

al
de
ne

ne

ci
s

nt

0 1 2 3 4 5
e
ou

so
ur

da
xi

at

oi
an

av

Social Support
im

Related Literature
ProBányai, F., Zsila, A., Király, O., Maraz, A., Elekes, Z., Griffiths, M. D., ... & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Problematic Social Media Use: Results from a Large-Scale Nationally Representative Adolescent Sample. PloS one, 12(1), e0169839.
Appel, H., Gerlach, A. L., & Crusius, J. (2016). The interplay between Facebook use, social comparison, envy, and depression. Current opinion in psychology, 9, 44-49.
Odgers, C. L., Jensen, M. R., & Yap, M. B. (2020). Annual Research Review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 277-293.