Preventing relapse to information technology addiction through weakening reinforcement: A self-regulation perspective

Abstract

Information technology addicts often exhibit a high rate of relapse, which reflects the failure of previous recovery approaches. However, research on relapse to information technology addiction has been largely neglected, and few means have been developed to address this issue. To fill this research gap, this study identifies essential factors for preventing relapse to information technology addiction with a self-regulation perspective. A longitudinal online survey is conducted. The results show that mindfulness and self-control contribute to reduced urges, which, in turn, prevent relapse. This study provides useful insights by expanding our understandings of relapse to information technology addiction.

Introduction

While advancements in information technology (IT) provide real benefits to various areas of life such as recreation, e-commerce, and telecommuting [e.g., [1], [2], [3]], addictive behaviors may also emerge. In line with previous research [e.g., 4], IT addiction describes a psychological state of maladaptive dependency on using a technology. When people become addicted, they may suffer from many unwanted consequences. For instance, addiction to social networking sites is shown to foster task distraction, which further impairs work performance [5]. WeChat (a popular social networking tool in China) addiction, as another form of IT addiction, is found to be harmful to users’ mental, physical, and social health [6]. Realizing the misery of such consequences is likely to impel addicts to quit addiction [7].

Meanwhile, previous research has indicated that addicts who have reduced their usage to a normal level may easily fall into an addictive state again, and IT addicts show a similar high rate of relapse [8]. For instance, much evidence has shown that the relapse rate among alcoholics can be as high as 95% [9]. Anecdotal evidence¹ also shows that over two-thirds of heavy IT addicts cannot completely eliminate their addiction. It indicates that addictive behaviors emerge repeatedly, even many interventions are provided. The serious outcomes of relapse to IT addiction should not be ignored. A recent social news² showed that students who have ever performed satisfactorily are dismissed from universities due to a relapse to IT addiction after a three-month quitting effort to quit. Generally, the term “relapse” describes the tendency to revert to previous patterns of excessive use after periods of control or abstinence [10]. Relapse signifies that previous efforts to overcome addiction have been ineffective, which indicates the failure of recovery approaches. Only addicts who completely desist from their addiction without relapse can be considered as having a successful recovery approach [11]. Given that relapse poses a great challenge for successful recovery approaches of IT addiction, it is important to discern how to effectively prevent it.

In recent years, scholars have shown increasing concerns over IT addiction. Unlike earlier studies which have traditionally assumed IT usage is positive and beneficial to users [e.g., 12], new research efforts have started to examine the dark side of using ITs. Studies have emphasized the negative consequences of IT use [e.g., 13], explored ways to measure IT addiction [14], and revealed predictors of these issues [e.g., 15]. However, despite considerable merits of these studies, more efforts are needed to deepen our knowledge about IT addiction, as what has been achieved with research on substance addiction.

Many studies have attempted to reveal factors for preventing relapse to substance addiction [e.g., 16]. In contrast, little research has been undertaken on relapse to IT addiction. The need for enriching the understanding of this area has become progressively urgent, as the relapse problem grows larger and implies more failure or ineffectiveness of previous interventions. Noting these limitations in information systems (IS) research has convinced us that a conceptualization of relapse to IT addiction and an interpretation of the prevention process can help to fill the gaps in the literature and contribute to providing effective interventions.

Accordingly, this study aims to first conceptualize relapse to IT addiction based on a review of previous research. As relapse prevention has been regarded as a process of self-regulation [16, 18], we use a self-regulation perspective to identify methods for preventing relapse through weakening reinforcement, which is a key mechanism in the formation of addiction and relapse. Other factors that may predict addiction are controlled in our research model. A longitudinal survey is conducted. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.