05/29/2026
: Internet Addiction and the Relationship to Self and Interpersonal Functioning Within the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD): Implications for Psychosocial Development, a dissertation published by Lori Woehler, a 2021 PsyD graduate, explores the relationship between interconnected mobile devices, applications, and social media, internet addiction, and the affects on interpersonal functioning.
The dissertation’s abstract: “Internet addictive use inclusive of inextricably interconnected mobile devices, applications, and social media predicts diminished Self and Interpersonal functioning. Internet addiction research is burdened by conflicting theoretical views, lack of standardized definitions and criteria, and the use of assessment measures adapted from those used for substance use disorders.
Alternative and dimensional diagnostic models for internet addiction through a psychosocial developmental lens might further understanding of Internet addiction and reduce challenges which impact the ability to advance research and achieve clinically useful, culturally informed, and evidence-based practices for the assessment and treatment of Internet addiction.”
Read the full dissertation here: https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/619/