Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Growing concerns exist regarding the neurological, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being of Generation Z due to rapid social network site (SNS) adoption.
• A lack of standardized assessment tools for problematic SNS use (PSNSU) hinders effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable PSNSU scale with a specific cutoff score.
• To investigate neural activity, executive function, and lifestyle differences between problematic and non-problematic SNS users.

Main Methods:

• A 42-item PSNSU questionnaire was developed and validated using factor analyses.
• Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation during cognitive tasks.
• Assessments included lifestyle balance, quality of life, and executive function measures.

Main Results:

• The validated PSNSU scale demonstrated high internal consistency and a four-factor structure.
• An optimal cutoff score of 63 was identified, distinguishing problematic users with high sensitivity and specificity.
• Problematic SNS users showed reduced DLPFC activation, impaired executive function, lower lifestyle balance, and reduced quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Problematic SNS use is associated with deficits in neural and cognitive function, impacting daily functioning and psychosocial well-being.
• Findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing cognitive control, lifestyle, and emotional challenges.
• Comprehensive strategies are crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of excessive SNS engagement.