Understanding Perceptions of Indicators and Levels of Addictiveness and Related Factors

Views about what defines addictiveness, what symptoms are attributable to such a state, and what objects may be addictive continue to change and be debated. However, only two prior studies have focused on the perceptions of what symptoms indicate addictiveness, both using DSM-IV criteria and focusing on a narrow range of objects. Therefore, this project aims to: 1) understand what is meant when individuals refer to something as addictive, 2) understand whether the object being discussed changes the perceived meaning of addictiveness or the amount of distress expected, and 3) understand which factors may be correlates of the above perceptions.

 

As such, we conducted a pilot qualitative study to understand perceptions of addictiveness, particularly in terms of symptoms. These results were coded and suggested eight themes, alongside 18 subthemes, regarding such perceptions.  Based on these themes and subthemes, a measure was created as a method of understanding perceived addictiveness for various potentially addictive objects through the lens of symptoms indicative of addictiveness.

 

Following this, we will evaluate perceptions of levels and indicators of addictiveness with this method in a sample of undergraduate students, and refine it as needed, in service of the above aims. We also plan to look at potential correlates of these perceptions, including demographic variables, political ideology, and religiousness, to gain an initial understanding of which factors may be related to these perceptions. Finally, we plan to replicate and expand these results in a more general sample of participants from an online data collection service.