Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students

Studyholism (or obsession with studying) is a new potential clinical condition introduced in the literature in 2017. Since then, growing research has supported its conceptualization as a clinical disorder and highlighted some potential intervention targets, namely trait worry, social anxiety, negati...

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Main Authors: Yura Loscalzo, Marco Giannini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/10/865
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author Yura Loscalzo
Marco Giannini
author_facet Yura Loscalzo
Marco Giannini
author_sort Yura Loscalzo
collection DOAJ
description Studyholism (or obsession with studying) is a new potential clinical condition introduced in the literature in 2017. Since then, growing research has supported its conceptualization as a clinical disorder and highlighted some potential intervention targets, namely trait worry, social anxiety, negative interpretation bias, and defense mechanisms. The present study aims to extend the literature concerning psychodynamic-related constructs that might constitute targets for interventions aimed at reducing Studyholism by investigating the role of attachment in 1073 students (<i>M</i><sub>age</sub> = 23.48 ± 3.77), balanced concerning civil status (i.e., currently being single or involved in a relationship/non-single). Among the main findings, we found that insecure attachment—mainly preoccupied attachment—is a positive predictor of Studyholism in both non-single and single students. However, there are also some differences depending on the civil status. Finally, (single) disengaged studyholics have a statistically significant lower level of secure attachment than (single) engaged studyholics. In conclusion, this study showed the value of distinguishing between non-single and single students when investigating the role of attachment. Regarding problematic overstudying specifically, the study provided support for its definition as a clinical disorder, also with evidence of the appropriateness of its OCD-related conceptualization. Finally, it suggests preoccupied (insecure) attachment as a target to reduce Studyholism by fostering in students the feeling of being loved and deserving of being loved in their current adult relationships.
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spelling doaj-art-cf6fa3baa6bc48219a489b9e67abb34a2025-08-20T02:11:01ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2024-09-01141086510.3390/bs14100865Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University StudentsYura Loscalzo0Marco Giannini1Department of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyStudyholism (or obsession with studying) is a new potential clinical condition introduced in the literature in 2017. Since then, growing research has supported its conceptualization as a clinical disorder and highlighted some potential intervention targets, namely trait worry, social anxiety, negative interpretation bias, and defense mechanisms. The present study aims to extend the literature concerning psychodynamic-related constructs that might constitute targets for interventions aimed at reducing Studyholism by investigating the role of attachment in 1073 students (<i>M</i><sub>age</sub> = 23.48 ± 3.77), balanced concerning civil status (i.e., currently being single or involved in a relationship/non-single). Among the main findings, we found that insecure attachment—mainly preoccupied attachment—is a positive predictor of Studyholism in both non-single and single students. However, there are also some differences depending on the civil status. Finally, (single) disengaged studyholics have a statistically significant lower level of secure attachment than (single) engaged studyholics. In conclusion, this study showed the value of distinguishing between non-single and single students when investigating the role of attachment. Regarding problematic overstudying specifically, the study provided support for its definition as a clinical disorder, also with evidence of the appropriateness of its OCD-related conceptualization. Finally, it suggests preoccupied (insecure) attachment as a target to reduce Studyholism by fostering in students the feeling of being loved and deserving of being loved in their current adult relationships.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/10/865studyholismstudy addictionworkaholismwork addictionstudy engagementOCD
spellingShingle Yura Loscalzo
Marco Giannini
Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
Behavioral Sciences
studyholism
study addiction
workaholism
work addiction
study engagement
OCD
title Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
title_full Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
title_fullStr Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
title_full_unstemmed Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
title_short Studyholism and Attachment Style: A Study among Italian University Students
title_sort studyholism and attachment style a study among italian university students
topic studyholism
study addiction
workaholism
work addiction
study engagement
OCD
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/10/865
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