Understanding the experience of relational accommodation for caregivers of an individual with body dysmorphic disorder: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

The unprecedented pace of digital technologies in the 21st century has led to substantial changes and transformations at both individual and societal levels. The expanding availability of internet access, the increased use of smartphones and digital tools, and the advancing quantity and use of social media platforms are among the most significant developments observed in this century. Such advancements in digital technologies have made access to information easier and have improved the quality of life (Farkaš, ). However, these opportunities offered by digital technologies and the internet have also generated new and complex risk areas. Numerous studies revealed that the intensive, excessive and misuse of these technologies resulted in several issues, including weakening in social interaction, a decline in academic performance, sleep problems, musculoskeletal problems, perceptions of loneliness, experiences of cyberbullying and behavioural addiction patterns (Dhale et al., ; Lissak, ; Montag et al., ). Beyond these consequences arising from digital technologies, several recently published studies have sparked debates over the severe and adverse effects of digital technologies on cognitive and neurobiological systems (Farkaš, ). Numerous studies also emphasize that digital technologies and the internet can lead to lower executive functions, negative impacts on memory processes, increased cognitive load, attention deficits and concentration problems (Clemente‐Suárez et al., ; Shafaqat & Sharif, ). These findings indicate that the internet and digital technologies are not merely a means of communication but also environmental determinants with significant impacts on neurobiological systems, mental health and psychosocial well‐being. As a result, understanding the impacts of digital technologies and identifying their potential risks early on will be essential in promoting healthy usage patterns and protecting individual and public health. Digital fugue, digital dementia and digital amnesia have been three key concepts that stand out in the literature, coinciding with the frequent discussions about the effects of digital technologies on neurobiological systems, mental health and psychosocial health. While the concept of digital fugue is defined as ‘individuals consciously distance themselves from their physical or social environment by turning to the digital world and escaping reality through digital tools’, it encompasses not only social withdrawal but also the evolution of cognitive processes and attention to digital stimuli (Kanbay, Akkurt Yalçıntürk, et al., ). Digital fugue impairs individuals' psychosocial functioning and lays the groundwork for issues, including distractibility, social isolation and digital addiction (Elhai et al., ; Montag et al., ). As initially introduced to the literature by German neurologist Manfred Spitzer (), the concept of digital dementia was defined as ‘experiencing a decline in attention, memory, learning and thinking skills in individuals due to excessive use of digital tools’ (Spitzer, ). Various subject‐related studies suggest that constant stimulation generated by digital environments leads to brain passivity and a decrease in cognitive reserve (Loh & Kanai, ; Sigman, ). This condition, particularly manifest in young individuals, is considered a cause for concern for researchers due to its structural resemblance to classic dementia symptoms (Kuss et al., ). The concept of digital amnesia, however, refers to a context in which individuals tend to store information rather than recall it due to easier access; hence, this context leads to weak long‐term memory (Kaspersky Lab, ). This concept, also referred to as the ‘Google effect’, is associated with a decline in individuals' tendency to use their mental memory (Sparrow et al., ). Various studies reported that excessive interaction and use of digital settings lead to weakening of individuals' short‐term memory performance, which adversely affects academic achievement (Storm et al., ; van Endert, ). When these three key concepts, which can be viewed as reflections of the digital world, are assessed collectively, it is noteworthy that the relationship individuals establish with digital technologies manifests profound marks not only on addiction but also on areas such as mental health, attention, memory and social participation. As a result, studying the implications of these three fundamental concepts can provide a novel perspective for a comprehensive interpretation of various psychological issues beyond technology addiction. With the increase in internet access and the integration of digital technologies into daily life, it is well recognized that while the trend of face‐to‐face communication is declining, communication processes are accelerating, especially as a sizable share of social interaction shifts to online platforms (Barros, ). Beyond changes in communication processes, it is also known that individuals have delegate