Abstract
From the inception of the Internet[RG1] , a lot of preoccupations have resulted. Jonathan and Sylvie (2015) presumes that internet addiction is one of the most common of all the preoccupations. The aim of this particular study proposal is double-fold. First, it will mint to determine if higher mindfulness levels would predict lower levels of internet addiction among the general population. Second, the research looks into the most standard schemata in internet addicts. Drawing from the existing formal frameworks in the same field of study, and the empirical findings, the proposal gives an expedition design that will be used to achieve the aims. Among the primary methods of data collection proposed for the research is the use of questionnaires. However, a more concrete type of survey (Young Schema Questionnaire) will be used. Finally, the last part of the proposal contains a possible timescale or the research planning for this study.
Introduction and Overview of the Research Area
Jonathan and Sylvie (2015) agree that the internet is one of the most powerful technologies and inventions of our time. According to the duo, more than two-billion of the total world population use internet. But the colossal usage of internet is accompanied by such issues as increasing internet addiction that according to Jonathan and Sylvie (2015) is a worrying trend. In that perspective, internet addiction is a psychological abnormality characterised by an individual’s inability to regulate their use of the internet. The ramifications include; social, work, school and even psychological difficulties. When modified and tailored to meet the distinct needs of the addicts, mindfulness is thought to be one of those pivotal remedies for internet addiction. However, the area is largely under research and to this point, no significant consensus has been reached concerning its role as a solution to Internet addiction. Mark (2014) defines mindfulness as the process of engaging a complete, active and direct cognition of the of experienced spiritual phenomena maintained from a moment to the next. Mindfulness involves several regulated practices all aimed at attaining its effectiveness. Mindfulness and its supposed roles can be examined by the use of various theoretical frameworks among them the cognitive schema theory. Cognitive schema refers to the organisation of psychological know-how to a particular concept (Sharon 2013). The schema theory is reliant on the cognitive-behavioural theory but also borrows from the attachment and object relations theory. Precisely, the theory deals with memories, thoughts, beliefs and emotions. According to Sharon (2013), the expeditions studying the role of mindfulness as a remedy for behavioural addiction have- until now- chiefly concentrated on pathological gambling. Thus, most of the schemas attached to the concept are aligned with the problem of pathological gambling. Since none of the studies ever evaluated the relationship between mindfulness and internet addiction (Mark 2014), the current research is intent on unearthing the roles of the concept in internet addiction. Schemas of the internet of addiction will be used alongside the theory to help with a profound comprehension of the possible roles of mindfulness.
Literature Review
The following section intends to examine some of the already existing formal frameworks (journals, books, research and verbatim), on the role of mindfulness and cognitive schema on behavioural addictions. The section depends on the analysis of previous studies relating to the behavioural addiction sector but with a focus on internet addiction[RG2] . Owing to the vastness of this research area, and the criticality of the subject at hand, several previous research works have been done. However, as already mentioned, none of the past works ever focused their research on this particular area. There is, therefore[RG3] , a need to study the roles of mindfulness and cognitive schema on the internet addiction as a basis for treating the disorder. In a bid to discover what factors influence internet addiction, for instance, Jonathan Burnay et al. confirmed a positive relationship between the disorder and reassurance of worth. Besides, the study proved that obsessive passion and opportunity for nurturance are among the factors that facilitate internet addiction (Jonathan and Sylvie 2015). Similarly, in a study entitled ‘mindfulness as a remedy for behavioural addiction’, Mark Griffiths found out that, among other roles, mindfulness labels and modulates the spiritual longings and irregular thinking patterns (Mark 2014). Also, some of the approaches to [RG4] mindfulness induces ‘urge surfing’ as well as transferring the locus of control for various mental functions. Sharon Derry also conducted research in the same area but with regards to the ‘cognitive schema theory.’ In her study, she lauds the axiom for its significant potentiality in conceptually bridging between the various constructivist viewpoints and the information processing (Sharon 2013). To gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive schema, she made a comparison with other schemas notably the abandonment, emotional deprivation, abuse, social alienation and the subjugation schemata. It is worth noting that there exists a surfeit of other previous literature in this field of study; however, those elaborated above have a special relationship with the current research.
Research Questions