Factors influencing schizotypal personality trait-dependent immersion and digital media usage: Adaptation and maladaptation

• Published in: Acta psychologica Vol. 230; p. 103735
• Main Authors: Tamás, István, Rózsa, Sándor, Hargitai, Rita, Hartung, István, Osváth, Anikó, Kállai, János
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Digital media; Mental focusing; Personality trait; Reality control; Schizotypy; Self-clarity; Digital media; Self-clarity; Reality control; Personality trait; Schizotypy; Mental focusing
• ISSN: 0001-6918; 1873-6297
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103735

Immersion in the digital environment has been widely researched; however, the effects of adaptive and maladaptive schizotypal personality traits on immersion have received relatively little attention up till now. This study investigates the factors of personal immersion while using entertainment and digital communication applications and other variables such as problematic internet usage, and Facebook addiction. The Immersive Tendency Questionnaire was applied to measure participants' tendency to experience artistic and life-like scenarios in traditional settings (reading a book and watching a movie) and digital environments (playing computer games and using the internet). The study was conducted with 717 college students and graduate persons including, 186 males (mean age: 28.49) and 531 females (mean age: 28.4). The results show that lowered focusing abilities are directly linked with deficiencies in self-coherence, and maladaptive behavior that manifests in problematic internet and Facebook usage. Furthermore, the attention/focusing ability during immersion is accompanied by coherent self-structure and psychological well-being. Therefore, for people who have adequate focusing skills and coherent self-structure, the usage of social media and computer gaming can be considered adequate digital tools for developing their cognitive and social skills. •Males more frequently watch videos and play computer games•Higher scores in ITQ-involvement elevates and ITQ FOCUS decreases the maladaptive social media usage•Coherent self and psychological well-being plays an essential role to avoid the maladaptive behaviour in digital environments•In mental and cognitive point of view the conscious focusing abilities supports the efficient usage of digital environment