Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2014, Psychology, Clinical

Behaviors exhibited while online differ radically from behaviors exhibited while offline (Suler, 2004a). Research suggests that this difference in behaviors results from online disinhibition (OD) while engaging in computer-mediated communication (Suler, 2004a). An example of the effects of OD can be seen when a person flirts outside of his or her dyadic relationship while online when he or she would not normally in person. Flirting can cause harm to a romantic relationship when it is directed towards someone outside of the romantic relationship (Glass, 2003). Due to the immense use of the internet among college students, and the negative impact that extradyadic flirting can have on a romantic relationship, the first goal of this research was to provide a basis of information on the amount of online flirting, how online flirting occurs, and the impact of online flirting among college-age students. The second goal of this study is to assess participants' perception of how detrimental the impact of online flirting would be on their romantic relationship compared to offline flirting. Malt (2007) found that there is a general view in society that flirting online is less detrimental to a romantic relationship than flirting offline. Given this finding, along with the possibility that participants are aware of OD, I predicted that online flirting would be perceived as less detrimental to a romantic relationship than offline flirting as a result of an informal understanding of OD from personal internet use. The third goal of this study was to understand the perceived impact of public versus private extradyadic online flirting on a romantic relationship. Pittman (1990) found that infidelity that occurs in private has more of a detrimental impact on a romantic relationship than infidelity that occurs in public. Therefore, I predicted that private online flirting, such as through a Facebook message, would be perceived as more detrimental to a relationship than public online fli (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Lee Dixon (Advisor); Melissa Layman-Guadalupe (Committee Member); Erin O'Mara (Committee Member); Keri Kirschman (Committee Chair) Subjects: Psychology; Social Psychology; Sociology; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2017, Counselor Education (Education)

Young adults on college campuses are surrounded by information and communications technology and have limitless access to the Internet on college campuses. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and extent of problematic Internet use, online gaming behavior, and online gambling behavior, and their relationships with depression and quality of life among college students. The study utilized a non-experimental cross-sectional research design employing quantitative research methodology. The current study aimed to answer two research questions: (a) Is there a relationship between depression and a linear combination of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ), and the Online Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (OGSAS) among college students? and (b) Is there a relationship between quality of life and a linear combination of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ), and the Online Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (OGSAS) among college students? Results of the first research question indicated that the IAT statistically significantly predicted depression. Results of the second research question also indicated that IAT statistically significantly predicted quality of life. Problematic Internet use was positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with quality of life. Although online gaming was significantly correlated with depression and quality of life, it did not predict depression and quality of life among college students. Online gambling was also significantly correlated with quality of life, but did not predict quality of life among college students. Supplemental analyses showed the similarities and differences between undergraduate and graduate level, and male and female students on their IAT, POGQ, OGSAS, BDI-II, and WHOQOL-BREF scores. Weekly Internet usage statistics were also presented and showed usage time differences between undergr (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Christine Bhat (Advisor) Subjects: Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology; Mental Health; School Counseling

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2007, College of Science

The current study examined the nature of diversified online shoppers with respect to existing differences in their level of website feature preferences, Internet experience (usage and shopping behaviors) and individual demographic characteristics. Using an online survey, 540 individuals residing within United States responded to questions concerning their demographics, extent of Internet usage, online visiting and purchasing behaviors and preference for website features. Individuals were categorized into different user groups- low, medium and high, depending on the extent of their self-reported diversified online shopping across the nine specific product categories. Since shopping referred to both browsing of online information and online purchasing, this categorization was done separately for both browsing and purchasing behaviors. The study found that an individual's diversified online browsing behavior was different from one's diversified online purchasing behavior. With regard to their diversified online browsing, significant group differences were found between the three browser groups in their preference for website features and Internet experience. The typical diversified online browser was more likely to be affluent and male. With regard to the individuals' online purchasing behavior, the low, medium and high diversified purchasers were found to differ significantly from one another in their website feature preferences as well as Internet experience. And the typical diversified online purchaser was more likely to be highly educated, affluent and male. Implications of these results as well as limitations of the current study were discussed.

Committee: Brian Blake (Advisor) Subjects: