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Escapism and Excessive Online Behaviors: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Finland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Hannu Jouhki

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
    A-Clinic Foundation, Ratamestarinkatu 7 A, 00520 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Iina Savolainen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Anu Sirola

    (Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Atte Oksanen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

Abstract

Excessive online behaviors refer to harmful or disproportionate use of digital network applications. Such behaviors are likely to be associated with escapist motives. Our aim was to analyze whether escapism predicts excessive gambling, excessive gaming, and excessive internet use over time. A longitudinal sample of Finnish residents aged 18–75 years ( n = 1022, 51.27% male) was surveyed at three time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in 6-month intervals: April 2021 (Time 1), October–November 2021 (Time 2), and April–May 2022 (Time 3). Of the original Time 1 respondents, 66.80% took part in the surveys at both Time 2 and Time 3. All surveys included measures for excessive gambling (Problem Gambling Severity Index), excessive gaming (Internet Gaming Disorder Test), and excessive internet use (Compulsive Internet Use Scale). Three escapism-specific questions were used to construct a dedicated escapism variable. Socio-demographic variables, alcohol consumption, and psychological distress were used as controls. The study was conducted with multilevel regression analyses using hybrid models. Our research showed that escapism had strong within-person effects on excessive gambling, B = 0.18, p = 0.003; excessive gaming, B = 0.50, p < 0.001; and excessive internet use, B = 0.77, p < 0.001 over time. The between-person effect of escapism was demonstrated on excessive gaming B = 0.91, p < 0.001, and excessive internet use B = 0.61, p = 0.036. Adverse societal events and uncertain times can manifest in excessive online behaviors motivated by escapism, highlighting a need to focus prevention efforts on healthy coping methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannu Jouhki & Iina Savolainen & Anu Sirola & Atte Oksanen, 2022. "Escapism and Excessive Online Behaviors: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Finland during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12491-:d:930470
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reinhard Schunck & Francisco Perales, 2017. "Within- and between-cluster effects in generalized linear mixed models: A discussion of approaches and the xthybrid command," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 17(1), pages 89-115, March.
    2. Sari Castrén & Riku Perhoniemi & Jukka Kontto & Hannu Alho & Anne H. Salonen, 2018. "Association between gambling harms and game types: Finnish population study," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 124-142, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Zeng & Hua Wei & Meiting Liu, 2023. "Need for Distinctiveness Leads to Pathological Internet Use? The Perspective of Cognitive Behavioral Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-13, January.

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