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- Title
A proposed explanatory theory in digital media: Approach-avoidance media theory and direct evidence from three empirical studies.
- Authors
SHUNSEN HUANG; XIAOXIONG LAI; XINMEI ZHAO; XINRAN DAI; HUANLEI WANG; YAJUN LI; CAI ZHANG; YUN WANG
- Abstract
Background: The new phenomenon (the co-occurrence of digital addiction and digital stress, specifically, the digital approach and digital avoidance) is gaining prominence. However, few theories can adequately explain the phenomenon. This research formulated a new theory, the approach-avoidance media theory (AAMT), and conducted three empirical investigations to demonstrate it. Method: First, the AAMT was proposed by analogizing approachavoidance conflict theory in animal models and human behavior. Second, study 1 used an adolescent sample (N=2,333, male=1,182) to discriminate digital addiction and digital stress, study 2 used a large sample (N=74,642, male=39,428) to test principle 1 of AAMT, and study 3 used a longitudinal design (N = 570, male = 337) to test principle 2/3/4 of AAMT. Results and Conclusion: The AAMT advocates five principles: (1) Digital media use can lead to three phenomena: addictive use, avoidant use, and approach-avoidance conflict use; (2) individuals experience psychological tension when confronted with approach-avoidance conflict use; (3) they may choose different coping strategies; (4) addictive and avoidant use can be mutually reinforcing; (5) addictive and avoidant use can only occur with the same type of digital media. (1) there were adolescents with only highly addictive smartphone usage, adolescents with only highly avoidant use, and adolescents with approach-avoidance use; (2) high approach-avoidance use predicted low mental health, adolescents with high approach-avoidance use displayed more maladaptive coping behaviors; and (3) smartphone addiction and stress predicted each other in the cross-lagged model. In addition, an AAMTbased psycho-behavioral-social model is developed, and its consequences and future prospects are discussed.
- Subjects
MEDIA studies; DIGITAL media; EMPIRICAL research; CONFLICT theory; TEENAGERS
- Publication
Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2023, Vol 12, p231
- ISSN
2062-5871
- Publication type
Article