A cluster analysis of adolescents’ styles of technology use: what is the role of maladaptive personality functioning?

Background: In the last decade, scientific research explored the problematic use of internet, videogame and mobile-phone in adolescence. However, only few studies examined the different styles in using these new technologies among adolescents. This study aims to identify homogeneous groups of adolescents who use technology in different ways focusing on personality functioning. Methods: 408 Italian adolescents (46.3% males) aged 11 to 18 years (mean age = 13.80 ± 2.08) were recruited from Italian secondary public schools and articipated in this study. Data were collected using the Internet Addiction Test, the Videogame Dependency Scale, the Test of Mobile-Phone Dependence Brief Form and the Personality Inventory for DSM5 Brief Form. A two-stage cluster analysis, based on the response pattern in relation to students’ use of technology, was carried out. The groups obtained by this analysis were compared with demographic and personality variables. Results: Adolescents were categorized into four distinct groups: internet and mobile-phone users, videogame users, light technology users, and heavy technology users (i.e., at-risk for addiction). Analyses on demographic variables (gender and age) demonstrated significant differences between groups. Heavy technology users reported greater overall personality dysfunction than the other three groups supporting our hypothesis on maladaptive personality function in adolescents at risk for addiction. Conclusions: Findings of this study showed four groups of technology users highlighting different personality functioning. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm our data.