Thesis: Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). Excessive internet use: fascination or compulsion? 

Supervisors: Sonia Livingstone and Ellen Helsper

Research interests: Addictions (technology, behavioral, substance), computer gaming, internet use, media psychology, online social networking, online gambling

After the PhD

Daniel recently completed his PhD in Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His work focuses on understanding people’s motivations for prolonged, excessive internet use followed by problematic outcomes – a behavior often referred to as internet addiction. His research suggests that excessive internet use might be more usefully explained as a coping strategy for life problems, as explanations of addiction have so far been accompanied by a remarkable lack of progress. He is also involved in efforts to provide the public with a more nuanced view of computer gaming as a hobby, with particular focus on informing parents about the role of gaming in young peoples’ lives. He continually writes for Swedish newspapers and participates in television or radio shows, discussing topics like internet addiction, computer gaming and online behavior.

Currently he is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Centre for Psychiatry Research at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. He is working with neuroscientists and psychiatrists involved in substance addiction research to get a better understanding of the neurological aspects of addiction, problem behaviors and treatment.

Background: BSc Psychology, BSc Computer Science, MSc Management & Information Systems

Publications

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). Problematizing excessive online gaming and its psychological predictors.  Computers in Human Behavior, 31, p. 118-122.

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of internet addiction research: towards a model of compensatory internet use.  Computers in Human Behavior, 31, p. 351-354.

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). The moderating role of psychosocial well-being on the relationship between escapism and excessive online gaming: testing the model of compensatory internet use.  Computers in Human Behavior, 38, 68-74.

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A critical account of DSM-5 criteria for internet gaming disorder.  Addiction Research & Theory,p. 1-6.

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). Meeting the unique challenges of assessing internet gaming disorder.  Addiction, 109, p. 1568-1570.

Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2015). Problems with atheoretical and confirmatory research approaches in the study of behavioral addictions. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, in press. 

Contact:  daniel.kardefelt.winther@ki.se