Date Approved

9-8-2026

Embargo Period

9-8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

College

College of Science & Mathematics

Advisor

Thomas Dinzeo, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Danielle, Arigo, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Steve Brunwasser, Ph.D.

Keywords

Problematic Technology Use;Quality of Life;Schizotypy

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Problematic Technology Use (PTU) has emerged as a growing concern with technology’s continual integration into daily living. Individuals higher in schizotypy may be particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of digital environments. The present study cross-sectionally examined associations among schizotypy, PTU, and quality of life (QOL) in 533 college students using structural equation modeling. Consistent with hypotheses, greater total schizotypy was associated with higher PTU and lower QOL. Additionally, positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy all uniquely predicted poor QOL with the negative domain demonstrating the strongest standardized association. Contrary to hypotheses, PTU did not significantly moderate the relation between total schizotypy and QOL nor did it moderate the main effect of any schizotypy domain. However, a post-hoc exploratory analysis provided preliminary evidence for an interaction between disorganized schizotypy and PTU predicting QOL when all domains were included in a single model. Alongside previous work, these findings suggest schizotypy is robustly associated with diminished QOL and elevated PTU. However, additional research is needed to clarify PTU’s role as a potential moderator. Moreover, the current work provided detailed descriptions of technology use patterns across 14 platforms within the sample made possible by data collection using the Domains of Technology Use Survey.

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