Purpose

Online vigilance is a novel construct which describes individual differences in users' cognitive orientation to online connectedness, their attention to and integration of online-related cues and stimuli and their prioritisation of online communication. Its proponents argue that it is acquired through the processes of instrumental and attentional training that underlie media use behaviours. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of three personal characteristics (emotional intelligence, rumination and identity distress) as predictors of online vigilance in addition to media use behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted an exploratory frame and followed a survey-methodology to collect data among a sample of university students (n = 812). The resulting data were analysed through a hierarchical multiple regression process in which four models were considered.

Findings

The findings indicate that while media use behaviours (daily smartphone use, social media use, messaging, video watching and media multitasking) predict online vigilance, their combined effect is weak. However, when considering these behaviours in combination with trait rumination and identity distress, a moderate effect is observable.

Research limitations/implications

While the findings do not permit causal inference, it suggests that two personal characteristics, trait rumination and identity distress, play an important role in determining an individual's tendency or ability to psychologically disconnect from their online spheres. This provides an initial step towards the theorisation of online vigilance and the identification of individuals who may be at risk of acquiring it.

Originality/value

Online vigilance is a novel construct which has only been investigated in a small number of studies. However, its emphasis on psychological connectedness presents a unique and important development in the context of permanently online, permanently connected living. The present study is the first to explore its association with personal characteristics.

中文翻译：

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调查大学生在线警惕的预测因素

目的

在线警戒是一种新颖的结构，它描述了用户对在线连接的认知取向、他们对在线相关线索和刺激的关注和整合以及他们对在线交流的优先级的个体差异。它的支持者认为，它是通过作为媒体使用行为基础的工具性和注意力训练过程获得的。本研究的目的是调查三个个人特征（情商、沉思和身份困扰）作为除了媒体使用行为之外的在线警惕性的预测因子的作用。

设计/方法/方法

作者采用探索性框架并遵循调查方法在大学生样本（n  = 812）中收集数据。通过考虑四个模型的分层多元回归过程分析所得数据。

发现

研究结果表明，虽然媒体使用行为（日常智能手机使用、社交媒体使用、消息传递、视频观看和媒体多任务处理）可以预测在线警惕性，但它们的综合效果较弱。然而，当考虑这些行为与特质反刍和身份困扰相结合时，可以观察到适度的影响。

研究限制/影响

虽然研究结果不允许进行因果推断，但它表明，性格沉思和身份困扰这两个个人特征在决定个人在心理上脱离网络领域的倾向或能力方面发挥着重要作用。这为在线警戒理论化和识别可能有风险的个人迈出了第一步。

原创性/价值

在线警惕是一种新颖的结构，仅在少数研究中进行了调查。然而，它对心理联系的强调在永久在线、永久连接的生活背景下呈现出独特而重要的发展。本研究首次探索其与个人特征的关联。