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Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder
Abstract
Anecdotal reports indicated that some on-line users were becoming addicted to the Internet in much the same way that others became addicted to drugs or alcohol, which resulted in academic, social, and occupational impairment. However, research among sociologists, psychologists, or psychiatrists has not formally identified addictive use of the Internet as a problematic behavior. This study investigated the existence of Internet addiction and the extent of problems caused by such potential misuse. Of all the diagnoses referenced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1995), Pathological Gambling was viewed as most akin to the pathological nature of Internet use. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, addictive Internet use can be defined as an impulse-control disorder that does not involve an intoxicant. Therefore, this study developed a brief eight-item questionnaire referred to as a Diagnostic Questionnaire (DQ), which modified criteria for pathological gambling to provide a screening instrument for classification of participants. On the basis of this criteria, case studies of 396 dependent Internet users (Dependents) and 100 nondependent Internet users (Nondependents) were classified. Qualitative analyses suggest significant behavioral and functional usage differences between the two groups such as the types of applications utilized, the degree of difficulty controlling weekly usage, and the severity of problems noted. Clinical and social implications of pathological Internet use and future directions for research are discussed.
... Yang and Tung (2007) also found that students with psychological disorders such as depression, low self-esteem, addiction, and excessive shyness have a high tendency to become internet addicts. In addition, both Young (1998) and Morahan-Martin (2005) suggested that those who abuse the internet by using it excessively, purposelessly and inappropriately use it to regulate their negative moods. Wang et al. (2013) also stated in their research that young people with internet addiction are significantly different from non-addicted users in terms of well-being variables such as self-esteem, depression and life satisfaction; and that those who are addicted to the internet have lower well-being levels compared to those who are not. ...
... The concept is debated by academics and clinicians for various reasons, such as lack of evidence, level of consistency and medical decision criteria (Fu et al., 2010). Young (1998) describes internet addiction as a type of addiction that, like alcoholism, drug addiction, or compulsive gambling addiction, has devastating effects on the lives of addicts and their families, such as divorce, job loss, decreased productivity at work, failure at school, and criminal behavior. Considering that 67.1% of the world's population, or 5.55 billion people, are internet users as of April 2024, as stated in Statista, Young defines those users who exhibit three or four of the following symptoms as internet addicts: (1) feel occupied with the internet or online services and think about them when offline, (2) feel the need to spend more and more time on the internet to achieve satisfaction, (3) cannot control their online use, (4) feel restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop their online use, (5) go online to escape from problems or relieve feelings such as helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression, (6) lie to family members or friends to hide how often and for how long they spend online, (7) risk losing an important relationship, job, education or career opportunity due to their online use, (8) continue to use after spending a lot of money on online fees, (9) experience withdrawal states such as increased depression, pessimism or irritability when offline, (10) staying online longer than originally planned. ...
... Internet addiction manifests itself as addiction to gambling, gaming, shopping, research, pornography, and similar things (Young, 1998). Chou et al. (2015) state that individuals experiencing depression and stress use the internet more than their previous usage. ...
This study examines the relationship between teacher candidates' perceptions of digital well-being and internet addiction. With the widespread use of digital technologies, their negative effects on mental health are becoming increasingly significant. The study involved 146 teacher candidates from a state university in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia Region. Data were collected using the Digital Well-being Scale and the Internet Addiction Scale. Results show that teacher candidates generally have a medium-high level of digital well-being. Perceptions of digital well-being do not vary significantly based on factors like gender, place of residence, or where they access the internet. However, they are related to factors such as extracurricular activities and the frequency of online shopping. Internet addiction levels notably increase with internet use for entertainment, though no significant relationship was found between daily internet use and digital well-being. The study highlights the importance of developing digital literacy and self-control skills to protect digital well-being and prevent internet addiction. Educational institutions should implement strategies to support prospective teachers' digital well-being and raise awareness on this issue. Future research is recommended to explore the relationship between digital literacy and internet addiction further.
... As a result, various terms have emerged to conceptualize uncontrolled internet use and its consequences, each differing according to the epistemological framework from which they originate. Some of these terms, such as internet addiction disorder (Young, 1998) and pathological internet use (Kandell, 1998), originate from the psychopathological paradigm. In contrast, other concepts, such as problematic internet use (Tam & Walter, 2013), are examined from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, which emphasizes behavior, its predictors, and its consequences. ...
... Excessive internet use refers to prolonged engagement with the internet but does not necessarily reach the pathological threshold of addiction (Kuss & Lopez-Fernandez, 2016). In contrast, internet addiction is characterized by a loss of control over internet use, functional impairment, and the emergence of psychosocial problems (Young, 1998). This condition results in an inability to regulate internet use, which contributes to significant disruptions in academic, occupational, and social life (Brand et al., 2014). ...
... The Internet Addiction Test. This is a 20-item scale assessing internet addiction among adults (Young, 1998). The original scale evaluates six dimensions: salience, excessive use, neglect of work, anticipation, lack of control, and neglect of social life. ...
The use of the internet has become an increasingly integral part of individuals’ daily lives, bringing negative consequences such as internet addiction. Understanding the motivations behind internet use is crucial for preventing addiction and developing effective intervention strategies. The objectives of this study are to test the validity and reliability of the Questionnaire of Internet Use Motives (MUI) among Turkish adults and to investigate the predictive effects of socio-demographic variables and internet use motivations on internet addiction. The study was conducted with a sample of 640 adults selected through convenience sampling at two different time points. The majority of participants were women, highly educated, and from a middle socioeconomic background. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Questionnaire of Internet Use Motives (MUI), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). To evaluate the structural validity of the scale, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed. Additionally, measurement invariance across genders was examined, and Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression Analyses were conducted to identify predictors of internet addiction. CFA confirmed the structural validity of the MUI, revealing a five-factor structure with a good fit to the data. The five identified motives were enhancement, coping, social, conformity, and utility. The analyses also demonstrated that the scale possesses convergent and discriminant validity, as well as high reliability. Furthermore, the instrument exhibited measurement invariance across genders. Significant predictors of internet addiction included educational level, socioeconomic status, and the enhancement, social, coping, and conformity motives. The validated MUI provides a robust tool for assessing internet use motives in Turkish adults, offering a foundation for future research and intervention development. Addressing psychological motives such as enhancement, social, coping, and conformity in prevention and treatment strategies may reinforce efforts to mitigate problematic internet use.
... Internet Addiction Test (IAT). IAT was developed by Young [29,30], a 20-item self-report instrument designed to assess symptoms of problematic internet use. Respondents rate the frequency of behaviors and feelings associated with internet use on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (rarely) to 5 (always). ...
... The IAT employs established cut-off scores to stratify individuals into four distinct categories of internet addiction severity: scores below 30 indicate absence of addiction; 31-49 suggest mild addiction; 50-79 denote moderate addiction; and 80-100 signify severe addiction. While there is some variation, a score of 50 on the IAT is the most widely accepted cut-off point for determining the prevalence of internet addiction in current literature [9,15,23,24,[29][30][31]. In the present study, the adapted IAT demonstrated robust psychometric properties, exhibiting good reliability and validity. ...
... Demographics, internet use information, and academic performance. Data were collected on socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, major and academic year, and internet use profiles including average hours spent online every day for leisure without relation to work or study, online activities, and internet usage years [12,23,30,34]. Academic performance was assessed using a single-item self-report measure. ...
The global prevalence of internet addiction is escalating annually and uncontrollable use of the internet can cause significant physical and psychological damage. Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), widely utilized across diverse cultures, has demonstrated structural inconsistencies in previous research, with some items requiring refinement. This study aimed to validate the IAT among Chinese undergraduate students and assess its psychometric properties. The IAT’s structure was initially explored through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using pilot study data (n=376), with internal consistency and test-retest reliability (n=96) evaluated. Subsequently, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using data from the actual study (n=1042) to confirm the structure. Results showed that a three-factor solution explained 61.29% of the total variance with a satisfactory model fit (χ²/df = 4.382, RMSEA = 0.057, CFI = 0.952, TLI = 0.943, SRMR = 0.045, AIC = 798.755) and psychometric properties, validating the IAT’s utility for future investigations of internet addiction in Chinese undergraduates. Notably, a high prevalence of moderate internet addiction was observed within the sample, highlighting the significance of this issue in the target population and emphasizing the need for further research and potential interventions.
... Other findings also suggested that loneliness and depression were precursors to internet addiction (Tian et al., 2021). Internet addiction research initially focused on individuals who experienced relational problems, academic issues, financial difficulties, and unemployment due to their inability to control their internet use (Young, 1998). It is evident that internet addiction is indeed a form of maladaptive social adaptation, and it can be considered a coping mechanism for individuals facing life's difficulties. ...
... The Internet Addiction Scale developed by Young (1998) was employed to measure the degree of individual internet addiction (Young, 2004). The scale encompasses six factors: salience, excessive use, neglect of work, anticipation, lack of control, and neglect of social life, comprising a total of 20 items. ...
Background
Previous studies have explored various personality and emotional variables influencing internet addiction. However, few have examined the impact mechanism of legal cognition on internet addiction. This study examined the relationship between belief in a just world and internet addiction, investigating whether legal cognition could moderate the effect of belief in a just world on internet addiction.
Methods
The study used the Belief in a Just World Scale, the Internet Addiction Scale, and the Legal Cognition Assessment Scale to survey 532 college students from universities in mainland China.
Results
Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between belief in a just world and internet addiction; belief in a just world negatively predicted internet addiction, and both the overall score of legal cognition and abstract legal cognition moderated this relationship.
Conclusions
College students' internet addiction was influenced by belief in a just world and legal cognition, suggesting that interventions for internet addiction among college students could involve cognitive-behavioral therapy and education on the rule of law.
... He viewed it as a behavioral addiction disorder and a coping mechanism for stress relief, characterized by excessive Internet use (Goldberg 1995). Subsequently, Young referenced the diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) to define Internet addiction as an uncontrollable urge to go online in individuals without the influence of addictive substances (Young 1998). The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as a persistent or repetitive addictive condition resulting from excessive Internet usage and a compelling urge to reuse it. ...
... Among the widely used scales in current research, the IAT is specifically designed to assess Internet addiction, comprehensively reflecting the characteristics of Internet addiction. This scale is broadly applicable to populations such as young people and university students and has demonstrated good reliability and validity across multiple countries and diverse demographics (Young 1998). In contrast, the IGDS9-SF scale primarily focuses on assessing Internet gaming disorder (IGD) (Poon et al. 2021), potentially failing to fully capture the relation between Internet addiction and NSSI, resulting in a weaker correlation when this tool is utilized. ...
Background
Internet addiction and non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) have emerged as prominent psychological concerns among adolescents. Despite numerous investigations into the relationship between these two behaviors, the findings remain inconsistent. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents.
Methods
Thirteen databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, were systematically searched, covering the period from inception to October 2024. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation of the included studies. The statistical software STATA 18.0 was utilized to conduct data analysis.
Results
Forty‐one studies were included from a total of 835 articles retrieved from the databases, encompassing a sample of 284,786 adolescents. A random effects model was utilized for pooled analysis, revealing a moderate positive association between Internet addiction and NSSI (r = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.20–0.27). Furthermore, adolescents’ gender, age, and the measurement tools employed played moderating roles in the relationship between Internet addiction and NSSI. However, neither the publication year, the region, nor the adjusted versus unadjusted effect sizes moderated the relationship between the two.
Conclusions
A moderate positive link exists between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents. Future preventive measures against NSSI among adolescents should focus more on those with internet addiction, assisting them in overcoming their addiction and establishing healthy online behavior patterns. Additionally, future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the dynamic changes between Internet addiction and NSSI among adolescents.
... Para peneliti telah mempertimbangkan untuk membuat instrumen untuk mengukur kecanduan permainan online pada usia anak dan remaja di Indonesia, dikarenakan muncul kekhawatiran tentang popularitas game online di segala usia (Ofori et al., 2020). Dijelaskan oleh Young (1998), kecanduan didefinisikan sebagai keinginan untuk terus terlibat dalam suatu perilaku meskipun ada konsekuensi negatif. Menurut survei yang dilakukan oleh Makarova & Makarova (2019), 79,5% remaja dilaporkan menggunakan komputer atau perangkat elektronik selama 1 hingga 3 jam per hari. ...
... Ini berarti bahwa kecanduan game online berdampak negatif pada keadaan diri pemainnya, yaitu dengan munculnya kecemasan dalam berinteraksi sosial, seperti takut kehilangan hubungan yang signifikan dengan orang lain. Hal ini disebabkan karena subjek lebih memilih untuk menunda kontak sosial secara langsung saat sedang asyik bermain (Young, 1998). Penelitian lain (Anjasari et al., 2020) juga menunjukkan bahwa kecanduan bermain game online pada remaja akan berpengaruh terhadap penurunan interaksi sosialnya. ...
Game online adalah salah satu bentuk permainan yang terhubung melalui jaringan internet. Game Mobile Legends Online adalah game arena pertempuran multipemain online yang dapat dimainkan di ponsel. Fenomena kecemasan interaksi sosial siswa SMP XYZ Jakarta menjadi dasar penelitian. Kecemasan interaksi sosial muncul dari perasaan tidak nyaman dan malu yang dapat dilihat dengan adanya kekakuan. Tujuan penelitian yang dilakukan berguna untuk mengetahui keterikatan antara kecanduan Game Mobile Legends dan Kecemasan Interaksi Sosial pada siswa-siswi SMP XYZ Jakarta. Penelitian ini masuk kategori non-probability sampling, metode Purpossive Sampling dengan kriteria inklusi. Kuesioner terdiri dari 21 pertanyaan GAS dan 20 pertanyaan SIAS yang akan disebarkan melalui Google Form, kemudian diolah menggunakan SPSS 26. Hipotesis penelitian ini diterima, terdapat hubungan yang positif antara kecanduan game online mobile legends dan kecemasan interaksi sosial. Orang tua, tenaga pendidik, dan pemangku kewenangan diharapkan dapat memberikan perhatian lebih terkait kebijakan waktu bermain game, serta memperbanyak waktu untuk berinteraksi terhadap anak lebih intens.
... Las adicciones psicológicas tienen varias denominaciones. Se habla de adicciones comportamentales o conductuales, adicciones no convencionales, adicciones sin drogas, sin sustancias, no químicas o no tóxicas (Chóliz, 2006;Cruzado, Matos & Kendall, 2006;Echeburúa, 1999;Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 1998;Luengo, 2004;Young, 1996a). Dentro de ellas se puede reconocer una larga lista de comportamientos, entre ellos: ...
... posición que también ha tenido acogida en algunos medios y otras publicaciones. Young (1996aYoung ( , 1996b propuso descripciones de la adicción a internet y sostuvo el surgimiento de un nuevo trastorno, continuó con el intento inicial de explicar la adicción a internet, desarrolló un instrumento para evaluarlo partiendo de los indicadores de la adicción a sustancias en el DSM-IV, y, llegó a formular recomendaciones para su tratamiento (Young & Rogers, 1998a, 1998b, estos y otros trabajos desarrollados produjeron gran impacto en las comunidades de profesionales interesados en la salud. Young posiblemente es una de las investigadoras más citadas en el área; actualmente existe una importante cantidad de investigaciones y artículos publicados sobre el tema en todo el mundo y en todos los idiomas. ...
RESUMEN Las adicciones psicológicas se están convirtiendo rápidamente en graves problemas de salud en el mundo y en el Perú. Aunque existen estudios anteriores, es a Goldberg (1995) a quien se le reconoce como el pionero en presentar el tema adicción a internet como un nuevo trastorno; es a partir de ese momento que se ha desarrollado mucha investigación empírica. Pero, estas nuevas adicciones todavía no han sido reconocidas como trastornos por los manuales de diagnóstico clínico y psiquiátrico, salvo el caso de la ludopatía, que está considerada dentro de los trastornos relacionados con las compulsiones en el DSM-III; también de la hipersexualidad que es clasificada como una adicción en el DSM-V. En nuestro medio existe poca investigación acerca del tema, pero cada vez aumenta el interés entre los investigadores y clínicos. El presente trabajo es una revisión bibliográfica, conceptual y de datos empíricos sobre el tema de las adicciones comportamentales. Las principales adicciones psicológicas tienen que ver con nuevas tecnologías y herramientas: internet, redes sociales, móviles, videojuegos; pero también se consideran adicciones al sexo, al trabajo y a las compras. Palabras clave: Adicciones psicológicas, adicciones comportamentales, adicciones a internet, adicciones a redes sociales, adicciones a videojuegos.
... The statistical population of the present study included all female students in the first stage of secondary school in District 11 of Tehran during the 2021-2022 academic year, from whom 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control. Participants completed the Internet Addiction Questionnaire by Young (1998) and the Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire by Fetro (2000) at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. In this study, reality therapy training based on choice theory was implemented in 12 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. ...
... The control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection involved two validated instruments: the Internet Addiction Questionnaire by Young (1998), which assesses levels of internet dependency, and the Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire by Fetro (2000), which evaluates communication abilities. Both groups completed these measures at three time points: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. ...
Considering the issues of dependence on virtual space and communication skills in adolescent girls in the post-COVID-19 era, examining more effective treatments such as reality therapy based on choice theory is of significant importance. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of reality therapy training based on choice theory on communication skills and dependence on virtual space in adolescent girls in the post-COVID-19 era. The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest-follow-up and a control group. The statistical population of the present study included all female students in the first stage of secondary school in District 11 of Tehran during the 2021-2022 academic year, from whom 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control. Participants completed the Internet Addiction Questionnaire by Young (1998) and the Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire by Fetro (2000) at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. In this study, reality therapy training based on choice theory was implemented in 12 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results indicated that reality therapy based on choice theory in the intervention group led to an increase in communication skills compared to the control group (P = 0.004). Additionally, reality therapy based on choice theory in the intervention group resulted in a reduction in dependence on virtual space compared to the control group (P = 0.041). The findings of the present study demonstrated that reality therapy training based on choice theory improved communication skills and reduced dependence on virtual space among adolescent girls in the post-COVID-19 era. Based on these results, it is recommended that reality therapy training sessions based on choice theory be conducted for adolescent girls in schools.
... (Lastminute.de, 2012 (Young, 1998(Young, , 1999. Der damals umstrittene problematische und dysfunktionale Charakter der Internetnutzung wurde in den letzten zwanzig Jahren fortwährend untersucht, mit dem Resultat, dass der Begriff der dysfunktionalen Internetnutzung mehr und mehr an Verwendung und Anerkennung gewinnt und immer differenziertere Unterformen festgestellt werden, wie zum Beispiel Cyberbullying (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010;Stodt, Wegmann, & Brand, 2016;Udris, 2014), dysfunktionale Nutzung von Sozialen Netzwerkseiten Wegmann, Ostendorf, & Brand, 2018), pathologisches Internetglücksspiel (Gainsbury, 2015;Griffiths, 2000) und pathologischesOnline-Gaming (Deleuze et al., 2017;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012;Paulus, Ohmann, von Gontard, & Popow, 2018).Was eine Kommunikation im Internet, welches eine enthemmende Wirkung auf NutzerInnen haben kann (Suler, 2004;Udris, 2014), betrifft, so berichten verschiedene Blogs und Medienportale in den letzten Jahren von der online zu beobachtenden Neigung, getroffeneVerabredungen anhand internetvermittelter Nachrichten kurz vorher abzusagen und stattdessen anderen Verabredungen nachzugehen, welches sie ferner als Social Zapping definieren (B.Z., 2013; Baumgarten, 2012;Horn, 2017;Lastminute.de, ...
Facing the ongoing growth of Social Media platforms and the general increase of options it´s becoming more difficult to unite possible leisure activities with each other in everyday life, which is often coined by duties. Western Society proves its hedonic character by pointing out decisions about free time activities as very important. These decisions become harder as leisure options rise. While some people might refuse to cancel their appointments made, others show tendencies toward so called Social Zapping meaning that they cancel their appointments with friends shortly beforehand, because of seemingly better options being recognized. In the endeavour of examining this social phenomenon scientifically, this study´s goal was to contain key factors of Social Zapping and further transfer these into existing psychological theory. Based on newspaper articles and blog posts about Social Zapping, potential predictors of this tendency were identified and further examined. Based on these industrial writings, this study is the first to operationalize this construct and to introduce the new Social Zapping Scale. The results of this study indicated that Maximization is a core concept of Social Zapping and its strongest predictor among other correlates. Maximization – meaning the desire of choosing the best options possible - could account for Social Zappers cancelling their dates with friends in favour of allegedly better alternatives. Furthermore, Procrastination – meaning dilatory behaviour and putting off difficult tasks or decisions - proved to be another facet of the tendency toward Social Zapping. To be precise, Procrastination could account for the ‘last minute’ character of Social Zapping and might explain that Social Zappers actually cancel their appointments so late, because they actively wait until another, better option might appear. In addition, the Fear of Missing Out turned out to be related to the Social Zapping tendency, suggesting that this behaviour may not only be driven by desire but also fear. Moreover, it was found that Social Zapping is related to dysfunctional or pathological internet use. This finding might reveal a general inability of Social Zappers to use their online communication platforms in an advantageous and healthy way. Lastly, this poses another reason for this topic´s relevance.
... The included articles reported improvement in terms of reduced symptoms of internet gaming disorder from preto post-treatment with pharmacotherapy (Sá et al., 2023). The most widely used instrument to measure the severity of gaming-related symptoms was the Internet Addiction Scale, proposed by Young (1998), with subsequent modifications. The scale measures the Internet use, including both gaming and other Internet-related activities, such as checking email or forming new relationships with other online users. ...
Video games, including online ones, constitute very popular interactive entertainment, enjoyed non-problematically by many individuals worldwide. However, uncontrolled gaming and the occurrence of its negative consequences require appropriate diagnosis. Gaming disorder manifests as uncontrolled, persistent, or recurrent behaviour with gaming taking priority, despite its negative impact on personal functioning. Excessive use of the Internet unrelated to gaming, such as excessive use of social media, viewing pornography online, and internet gambling games, is excluded from the concept of disordered gaming. The worldwide prevalence is 3%, rising to 4.6% in adolescents, affecting more males than females. The pathogenesis is heterogeneous, with various psychological contributory factors, such as fascination with an alternative world and self-concept, low self-esteem, impulsivity, dysregulation of the reward system, and escapism. Individuals with reduced dopamine-receptor function are prone to developing disordered gaming, in particular under stressful life events. Imaging studies have demonstrated changes in brain activation, such as hyperactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior inferior frontal gyrus, caudate, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus; in contrast to hypoactivation of the anterior inferior frontal gyrus, posterior insula, and precentral and postcentral gyri. With respect to psychiatric comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or major depressive disorder, several drugs have been effective in treating gaming disorder, namely bupropion, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, methylphenidate, and atomoxetine. The most effective psychological intervention was cognitive-behavioural therapy. There is a need to conduct further randomised, double-blind studies controlling for comorbid mental disorders and carried out on larger groups of patients.
... We employed a cutoff score of 40 to identify individuals with internet addiction according to Boysan's criteria 37 . The Cronbach's α was 0.54-0.82 in a previous study 38 and 0.888 in this study. The KMO value was 0.906, and Bartlett's test confirmed that factor analysis was appropriate (p < 0.001). ...
This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of academic burnout and internet addiction on the associations between BMI (normal weight and overweight/obesity) and depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms among medical students. This study included 610 medical students aged 18–24 years in 2023. Regression analysis was used to explore the mediating effects of academic burnout and internet addiction on the associations between BMI and depressive/anxiety/stress symptoms. The bootstrap method was used to examine the statistical significance of the mediating effects. According to the mediation model incorporated academic burnout and internet addiction as mediators of overweight/obese status and depressive/anxiety/stress symptoms, the direct effects of overweight/obesity on symptoms of depression (b = 0.452, p < 0.001), anxiety (b = 0.449, p < 0.001), and stress (b = 0.466, p < 0.001) among medical students were statistically significant. Our results showed that overweight/obesity medical students were directly related to academic burnout and internet addiction, and to the further development of depression/anxiety/stress symptoms. Medical students with overweight/obesiety statusmight be at high risk for depressive/anxiety/stress symptoms. It is possible to relieve these symptoms by preventing academic burnout and providing early intervention for internet addiction. The risk of depression/anxiety/stress resulting from overweight/obesity status in medical students should be reduced.
... İnternet bağımlılığını değerlendirmek amacıyla Kimberly Young tarafından geliştirilmiştir (24). Türkçeye uyarlanmış formu 20 maddeden oluşmaktadır. ...
Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Osmaniye’de 6 Şubat Depremi’ni yaşamış bireylerde kaygı düzeyi, psikolojik sağlamlık ve bağımlılık davranışları arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Depremi yaşamış 384 birey araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Katılımcılara Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği, Kısa Psikolojik Sağlamlık Ölçeği, Fagerström Nikotin Bağımlılığı Ölçeği ve Young İnternet Bağımlılığı Ölçeği uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan 384 bireyin %65,4’ü kadın olup, %36,5’i 25-34 yaş aralığındadır. Kadınlarda kaygı düzeyi), erkeklerde ise psikolojik sağlamlık ve tütün kullanımı daha yüksektir. İnternet bağımlılığında cinsiyet farkı bulunmamıştır. Lise mezunlarında sigara bağımlılığı, düşük gelir grubunda internet bağımlılığı daha yüksektir. Sigara ve internet bağımlılığı arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmış; kaygı düzeyi her ikisini de öngörmektedir. Psikolojik sağlamlık yüksek olanlarda bağımlılık davranışı daha azdır. Sonuç: Psikolojik sağlamlığın yüksek olduğu bireylerde tütün ve internet bağımlılığı oranlarının daha düşük olduğunu, kaygı düzeyi yüksek bireylerde ise bu bağımlılıkların daha yaygın görüldüğünü ortaya koymuştur. Psikolojik sağlamlığın bağımlılık yapıcı davranışlardan korunmada önemli bir faktör olabileceği düşünülmüştür.
... In addition, millions of jobs have been generated worldwide thanks to the Internet, which has helped reduce the unemployment rate. All this leads some people to spend most time on the Internet and find themselves unable to disconnect and control their impulses: this is Internet addiction (Young, 1998). The latter, like other forms of addiction without substances (gambling, video games, screens, sex, food, etc.) (Picard et al., 2021), has long been neglected by the scientific Ijbmc.org ...
Objective: The current study aimed to examine the factor structure and reliability of Arabic version of Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) among a sample of Moroccan high school students. Methods and Materials: 334 students from three public High school of Casablanca Region (Morocco) were included. 40.9% of boys and 59.1% of girls (M=17.15, SD=1.328) responded to an Arabic translated version of CIUS. Descriptive, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on the collected data, by measuring the ratio Chi-square and degree of freedom χ2 /DF, Comparative Fit Index (CFI), The Normed Fit Index (NFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). Findings: The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a model with 14 items showing the three-dimensional structure of this scale: Absorption, priorities and mood regulation. The Arabic CIUS follows a three-dimensional structure, demonstrates measurement invariance with respect to sex and age, and exhibits excellent reliability (ω = .94). The values of validity indexes were: χ2 /DF= 3.26, CFI = 0.971, NFI = 0.937, TLI = 0.938, and RMSEA = 0.043. Conclusion: These subscales indicate generally satisfactory psychometric qualities. These results show that the Arabic translated CIUS instrument has an excellent factor structure and internal consistency.
... Internet addiction is a new disorder described in 1996 by psychologist Kimberly Young. College students are considered a high-risk group (Young, 1998;Frangos et al., 2018;Joseph et al., 2021). People with Internet addiction have difficulty controlling Internet use and experience problems in work or academic performance and social relationships, as well as psychological and physical issues (Bulut Emel, 2021). ...
The internet provides tremendous educational benefits for students and also provides better communication, information, and social interaction opportunities for young people, but excessive internet use can lead to negative psychological addiction. This study aims to quantitatively describe the tendency of internet addiction in the population of students majoring in Public Administration from the class of 2020, 2021, and 2022. The total sample taken was 142 people, including all students from the three batches. The data analysis method applied in this research is the crosstab or cross tabulation analysis technique. The data analysis process involved the use of SPSS V.25 statistical software. From the results of the analysis of gender and range of addiction, it can be seen that the majority of respondents, both males (66.7%) and females (69.9%), experience a moderate level of internet addiction, especially social media. The number of respondents who experienced moderate addiction reached 98 out of a total of 142 respondents. In the analysis of respondents' age groups and range of addiction, it can be seen that three age groups dominate, namely 19, 20 and 21 years old. Of the 28 respondents aged 19, 17 of them experienced moderate addiction. In the 20-year-old age group, out of 43 respondents, 33 were classified as moderately addicted. While in the 21-year-old age group, out of 37 respondents, 26 of them also showed a moderate level of addiction. Furthermore, the tendency of internet addiction in college students is dominated by two main aspects: characteristics and excessive use. Students who feel attached to the internet tend to always think about and find it difficult to control their use. Keywords: Tendency; Addiction; Internet; College Students
... The first part was the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants included (Sex, and grade level), and the second part included a scale to identify the I.A. level among participants. The Internet addiction test was introduced in 1996 at the University of Pittsburgh in Bradford/United States by psychologist and psychiatrist Kimberly Young (17) . The tool was modified and developed by the researcher to suit the purposes of the current study. ...
The Internet has become an essential part of modern life, used by a large number
of people of all ages, especially teenagers. Therefore, the number of its users around the world is
increasing daily, exposing some to its negative effects such as Internet addiction (I.A.). Internet
Addiction is the frequent and reckless use of electronic devices, which may be present for a long
time when engaging in non-work-related activities which can lead to physical, social,
psychological, and academic problems.
... Perceived stress was assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), originally developed by Cohen et al. (1983), which evaluates individuals' perceptions of stressful situations. Internet addiction was measured using Young's 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Young, 1998), a self-report questionnaire assessing problematic internet use. Insomnia severity was evaluated using the seven-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), adapted from Bastien et al. (2001). ...
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder with significant implications for both physical and mental health and is often associated with various chronic conditions. This study examines the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between internet addiction and insomnia among college students. Utilizing a quantitative correlational design, data were collected from 372 participants using validated instruments, including the Perceived Stress Scale, the Internet Addiction Test, and the Insomnia Severity Index. The results indicated a significant direct effect of internet addiction on insomnia, as well as a strong predictive relationship between internet addiction and perceived stress. Notably, perceived stress emerged as a significant mediator, exacerbating insomnia symptoms. These findings are consistent with the Diathesis-Stress Model, suggesting that internet addiction may act as a vulnerability factor, with stress functioning as a critical environmental trigger for sleep disturbances. The study underscores the importance of addressing both internet addiction and stress in interventions aimed at mitigating insomnia among college students. Further longitudinal research is warranted to explore these dynamics, considering additional psychological variables that may influence these relationships.
... Despite the conflicting evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children and adolescents should limit the amount of total entertainment screen time [to less than 2 h per day]. Yañez et al. (2020) Excessive use of social network sites No Definition given Yang et al. (2019) Compulsive social media use Impulsive, unregulated thoughts about and usage of social media that are out of the user's control, as this is the defining features of compulsive/ problematic/pathological/addicted use mentioned across the literature (e.g., Young 1998;Meerkerk et al. 2009;LaRose et al. 2011). Zhang et al. (2024) Problematic Social Network Use Problematic social network use is generally characterized by a psychological dependence upon social networking sites that interferes with life activities and yields other undesired consequences (Turel et al., 2011;Wurst et al., 2008). ...
A growing body of research indicates that problematic social media use can have detrimental effects on adolescents' mental health and well-being. This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on longitudinal risk factors contributing to the development of problematic social media use in adolescents, defined as the use of social media impacting physical or mental well-being. The review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase databases, including articles published from 2010 onwards. Out of 1,729 screened articles, 23 were included. Findings on risk factors related to individuals and their social environment were categorized into nine groups: motivations for use, parenting factors, adverse childhood experiences, peer factors, emotions, self-regulation, personality, mental health, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Peer factors (e.g., poor social relationships, social comparison, fear of missing out, negative peer pressure, exposure to relational aggression), negative emotions, personality traits (e.g., sensation seeking), and poor mental health emerged as the most common risk factors. Due to methodological limitations in the studies included, further research is necessary. It is essential to use clinical samples, objective measures, and consistent conceptualizations to contribute to a better understanding of problematic social media use as well as its mechanisms and effects.
... Although initial conceptualizations of internet addiction originally encompassed five distinct subcategories, contemporary research predominantly approaches internet addiction as a holistic construct. Internet addiction is framed as a behavioral addiction and impulse control disorder (Young, 1998). It is often explained using the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, which attributes addiction to the interplay of predisposing variables, emotional and cognitive responses to specific stimuli, and executive functions like impulse control (Brand et al ., 2019). ...
Nomophobia refers to the anxiety individuals experience when unable to effectively connect to the internet. Traditional explanatory frameworks often interpret this phenomenon as withdrawal symptoms, leading to an over-pathologization of daily behaviors. Theories from neutral perspective on the other hand, view nomophobia as a psychological manifestation of unmet connectivity needs but often fail to acknowledge the psychological benefits of digital technology. The attachment theory interprets nomophobia as separation anxiety, yet logical inconsistencies remain. Self-extension theories consider digital networks as part of the individual self but insufficiently explore the systemic and unique characteristics of the internet. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify key concepts following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, involving structured search queries, screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction. Via evaluating and comparing these perspectives, this study introduces the concept of "Internet extension of virtual capacity" as a complementary enhancement to existing theories. Overall, the conceptual landscape surrounding this topic is characterized by significant overlap and ambiguity. Future research should aim to delineate the boundaries and applicability of these concepts to better understand the ambivalent "love-hate" relationship between human and Internet.
... Numerous factors influence adolescent Internet addiction, including external environmental factors, personal characteristics, and the specific features of the Internet itself [7,19,20]. The parent-child relationship within the family environment has garnered significant attention as one of the most impactful factors in adolescent growth and development [21]. ...
Background
Adolescent Internet addiction has emerged as a major social and public health concern worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that parent–child relationship plays a crucial role in adolescent Internet addiction. However, most of these studies have adopted a cross-sectional design, making it difficult to reveal the lagged effects of the parent-child relationship on adolescent Internet addiction and its underlying developmental mechanisms.
Methods
This study conducted a three-wave survey over one year, employing cluster sampling between October 2023 and October 2024. The survey assessed parent-child relationship, Internet addiction, basic psychological need frustration, and self-esteem among 2,483 adolescents (Mage = 13.82, SD = 1.53; 51.71% girls) from two middle schools in Shaanxi, China. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0. Additionally, the lagged effect of T1 parent-child relationship on T3 Internet addiction, as well as the parallel mediating roles of T2 basic psychological needs frustration and T2 self-esteem in this lagged effect, were examined using PROCESS macro Model 4.
Results
(1) The lagged effect of T1 parent-child relationship on T3 Internet addiction was significant (β = −0.20, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001). (2) T2 basic psychological need frustration (β = −0.06, SE = 0.01, 95% CI: −0.08, − 0.04) and T2 self-esteem (β = −0.02, SE = 0.01, 95% CI: −0.04, − 0.01) served as parallel mediators in the lagged effect of T1 parent-child relationship on T3 Internet addiction.
Conclusions
These findings provide empirical evidence for preventing and intervening in adolescent Internet addiction and hold significant implications for reducing its risk.
... This disorder is linked to various issues, including deteriorating academic performance, strained personal relationships and challenges in the workplace. The prevalence of internet addiction varies across regions; for example, studies report addiction rates of 18.3% among college students in the UK, 4.25% in the US, 0.7% in India, 17.9% in Taiwan and 17.3% in Qatar (Young, 1998;Guan and Subrahmanyam, 2009;Mihajlov and Vejmelka, 2017). ...
... It has also been observed that smartphone deprivation induce anxiety among young people, a phenomenon that is certainly equal to drug withdrawal (Smith, 2018). The researchers have claimed that excessive usage of social networking sites has led to various negative situations like escapism, mood change, psychological disorders, abandoned personal life, and masking the addictive behaviour (Young, 1998). Several researchers have argued that time spent on social networking may lead to addiction in people (Griffiths & Pontes, 2014;Sussman et al., 2011). ...
Purpose: The present bibliometric study aims to review the extant literature though a retrospective lens on social media addiction (SMA) research by identifying the existing body of research, and the future research areas. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive bibliometric analysis was administered on 581 articles extracted from SCOPUS database. Data was procured from Scopus by performing a keyword search of "Social Media Addiction". Biblioshiny software and VOS Viewer was used to organise, analyse and present the data. This study identifies majorly the thematic clusters and collaborations through science mapping further, most prolific authors, authors, documents, and their impacts were also examined through performance evaluation technique. Findings:The findings of the study are categorized in to two parts. The performance evaluation techniques identified the most relevant authors, cited documents, top sources and country collaborations while the science mapping technique reveals the thematic clusters based on co-occurrence of authors keywords, bibliographic coupling of sources and documents, co-citation network of the most cited author and the Sankey diagram. Research limitations/implications: In the current study the fragmented literature on social media addiction has been organized and structured to provide an overview of extant literature through an exhaustive bibliometric analysis. Further, themes which are identified gives a clear view about the research agendas for future researchers and has huge social implications. As the study utilized only the Scopus database so future research studies may be conducted using other databases also. Originality/value: This paper is unique in the sense that it is divergent from the previous studies which has only offered the empirical investigations in this area. The authors have tapped the methodological gap as this is the first attempt of its kind which has given valuable insights on the current state of research on social media addiction and guides for potential future agendas through bibliometric analysis
... The concept of internet addiction was first introduced in a pioneer study by Young (1996). However, many believed the term addiction should be applied only to cases involving the ingestion of a drug (Rachlin, 1990). ...
... In the psychological literature, the label 'internet addiction' has been used to define a level of internet use that is out of control and as such has a significant impact on personal life (Shaw & Black, 2008). Instruments used to assess this type of problem-such as Young's (1998) Internet Addiction Test-commonly discern the prototypical characteristics of this problem, including an excessive amount of time spent on online activities (e.g., "Do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend online?"), an emotional and cognitive preoccupation with the internet (e.g., "Do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are offline?", "Do you keep thinking about the previous or next online session?"), a loss of control (e.g., "Do you find that you stay longer online than intended?"), ...
This article examined the internet and social media usage among (young) individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two meta-analyses were conducted to quantify (1) the relation between ASD/autistic traits and problematic internet use (PIU, which included generalized PIU, problematic gaming, excessive smartphone use), and (2) the relation between ASD/autistic traits and social media use. The results of our first meta-analysis—comprising 46 studies and 42,274 participants—revealed that people with ASD or higher levels of autistic traits showed higher levels of PIU, with an average effect size of r = 0.26 (95% CI [0.21, 0.31]). The second meta-analysis—consisting of 15 studies and 7036 participants—indicated that people with ASD or higher levels of autistic traits were less involved on social media platforms as compared to their typically developing counterparts, with the average effect size being r = − 0.28 (95% CI [− 0.38, − 0.18]). The quality of the research on PIU and social media in persons with ASD was critically evaluated and possible directions for future research on this topic are discussed.
... This trend mirrors the increasing global concern about the psychological and social impacts of excessive internet use. Previous studies, such as those by Young 38 and Griffiths, 39 laid the groundwork by defining and conceptualizing IAD and highlighting its potential mental health consequences. Our findings build on this foundation, showing that contemporary research has delved deeper into the neurobiological underpinnings and psychosocial mechanisms of IAD. ...
Background
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) has emerged as a significant public health concern in the digital age, with implications for mental health and social wellbeing. Despite growing recognition, IAD remains a relatively nascent field within academic research.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the global research landscape and trends of IAD. Our methodology involved analyzing author analysis, journal analysis, keywords, and citations in publications related to IAD from 2004 to 2024.
Results
We identified “internet addiction,” “internet gaming disorder,” and “adolescent” as the most frequently occurring keywords, highlighting significant research areas within IAD. The analysis revealed that terms like “social media addiction,” “problematic smartphone use,” and “COVID-19” have gained prominence in recent years, reflecting the evolving nature of digital technology's impact on mental health. Clustering analysis illustrated the interdisciplinary nature of IAD research, integrating insights from psychology, sociology, network science, and psychiatry. Citation analysis identified highly influential papers, such as Kuss and Griffiths’ review on social networking addiction and Brand et al.'s I-PACE model for internet-use disorders.
Conclusions
Our findings highlighted the importance of continuing interdisciplinary research to address the multifaceted challenges of IAD. Future research should focus on the intersections of digital behaviors with mental health, personality traits, and social dynamics to develop comprehensive strategies for prevention and intervention.
... The prevalence of internet and smartphones among adolescents in the current time has also exposed them to the risk of excessive and uncontrolled internet usage (Petrovčič et al., 2018;Rahim et al., 2016;Senjam et al., 2021). The researchers in the field coined this term explaining heightened use of the internet as Internet Addiction (IA)a behavioral disorder characterized by an inability to regulate online activity, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily life (Trumello et al., 2021;Young, 1998). The levels of physical and psychological difficulties in adolescents due to their developmental stage has been specified by every professional, whether in medicine or psychological research (Xu et al., 2021). ...
As the internet has become an integral part of adolescent life, serving as a platform for generating insights on education, socialization, and entertainment, this study is an attempt towards a detailed investigation about the current scenario of internet addiction among adolescents to suggest implications towards the betterment of SDG 3 fulfillment. Undertaking a review method of investigation, the study here includes literature in the field of internet addiction among adolescents to draw a parallel association with SDG 3 requirements. With 22 detailed reviews conducted, the study found that internet addiction among adolescents is highly associated with school and family environment, personality traits like loneliness and social exclusion which eventually leads to anxiety and depression. The existence of poor relationships and lack of parental involvement can cause high contributions to developing addiction levels. Bullying victimization and childhood trauma are also significant predictors, often mediated through anxiety and poor inhibitory control The study provides implications for the future that can help align SDG 3 requirements by developing mental health interventions to overcome internet addiction.
... We distributed the questionnaire to adolescents aged 16-24. The WHO defines adolescents as those aged 10-19 [54], but there is continuing debate in academia about extending this range to 24 years old. For instance, Sawyer, Azzopardi [55] suggest using 10-24 as the age range. ...
Internet gaming addiction (IGA) has become a common phenomenon that affects adolescents, due to its possible negative effects on physical and mental health issues. However, very few studies have particularly examined the relationship between adolescent game addiction and parental influences. In this study, we address some undesirable parental behaviors and aim to explore whether they influence adolescents’ internet gaming behaviors. A total of 315 adolescents who have exposed to Internet games participated in this study. We examined the relationship between four parental factors and the development process examined by the structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques: adolescent Internet gaming addiction (IGA), parental interpersonal conflict (PIC), parental loneliness (PL), parental phubbing (PP), and parental rejection (PR). We proposed nine hypotheses, five of which were supported by the data. The results suggested that parental loneliness leads to parental phubbing and rejection behaviors, as well as enhancing Internet gaming addiction among adolescents. Additionally, parental interpersonal conflict can cause parental loneliness. However, the study found that parental loneliness, parental rejection, and parental interpersonal conflict do not statistically significant impact on adolescents’ internet gaming behaviors.
... Drawing on insights from pathological gambling, Griffiths [2] describes technology-related disorders as non-chemical (behavioral) addictions involving human-machine interaction. Echoing Griffiths, Young [3] proposed the inclusion of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) within the revisions to the 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) [4]. Young's conceptualization of IAD was relatively broad, encompassing numerous subtypes that reflected different facets of problematic internet use, such as cyberrelationship (social media) addiction, cybersexual addiction, gaming ...
Mounting societal and clinical concerns about the mental health impacts of personal digital devices/services (social media, smartphones, gaming platforms, etc.) have underscored a need for evidence-based approaches to problematic technology use. Interventions and prevention strategies rooted in mindfulness-based techniques have proven helpful, supporting the development and maintenance of healthier and more adaptive relationships with technology. This chapter explores the literature on mindfulness-based interventions for problematic technology use, providing summative conclusions and identifying areas for further research. The chapter also describes, in detail, mindfulness-based digital balance (MBDB), our novel approach to problematic technology use. We examine the potential therapeutic mechanisms through which MBDB and other mindfulness-based approaches might operate. Finally, we explore the further development of the MBDB approach by considering how adaptive behaviors and healthier technology use might be sustained post-intervention.
... Consumers' 239 perceived distraction induced by app-based push notifications was assessed using seven items 240 adapted from Brooks et al. (2017), gauged on scales ranging from 1 (not very) to 7 (very).241Smartphone addiction was evaluated by using four items adapted fromYoung (1998). ...
The pervasive use of smartphones has increased consumers' exposure to push notifications from mobile apps, which-while potentially beneficial at moderate levels-can compromise wellbeing at excessive levels (e.g., by instigating addiction). We conduct two studies to explore the impact of push notifications on smartphone addiction and its subsequent effect on consumer wellbeing, as mediated by consumer engagement. Study 1 investigates the relationship of push notifications and smartphone addiction and assesses whether engagement-based contributing (vs. consuming) behavior mitigates the adverse effect on wellbeing. The findings indicate that though push notifications are conducive to addiction, consumers' active content contributions significantly enhance wellbeing by counteracting these negative effects. Study 2 builds on Study 1 by distinguishing the effects of consumer engagement based on app type (hedonic vs. utilitarian). The results show that consumers' content-related contributing (consuming) behavior is more beneficial for hedonic (utilitarian) apps, respectively. Based on the results, we identify strategies through which consumer engagement can buffer the detrimental effects of smartphone addiction on consumer wellbeing.
... 8 By 1996, the concept of Internet addiction was being taken more seriously; it was proposed to be a clinical disorder and a useful diagnostic questionnaire (based on a gambling addiction questionnaire) was developed. 9 Although IAD is still not recognised as a clinical disorder, as opposed to Internet gaming disorder, there is strong support for the concept. Studies have indicated that as many as 3-4% of young people-in some cases, much more-exhibit symptoms of Internet addiction, with one of the most recent cases involving a 31-year-old patient who suffered from IAD with the use of Google Glass ™ wearable technology (Google, Googleplex, Mountain View, California, USA). ...
... Internet addiction is the use of the Internet without caution or control; it is an excessive use that can lead to negative consequences for the users. Young (1996) described internet addiction as staying online for pleasure for about 38 hours or more per week, especially in online chat rooms. Also, Young and Rogers (1998) further defined internet addiction as the inability of a person or people to control his or her use of the internet which may lead to difficulty in a person's psychological, social, school, and or work life. ...
This study investigates the health consequences of internet addiction and its possible preventive measures among undergraduate students in Nigerian Universities. The global widespread of acceptance and usage of the internet and its associated technologies has become a critical part of modern-day life, especially among undergraduates in Nigerian universities, whereas excessive and uncontrolled use of the internet popularly known as internet addiction negatively affects everyday health life, internet addiction if not deliberately put on check will become a full-blown global health concern of the 21st Century. The study employed description and critical analysis of existing data and literature searches using Google scholar and Hinari electronic database as the methodology; a systematic review of the existing studies on internet usage and addiction, its underlying health consequences and possible prevention among undergraduates in Nigeria was carried out. This study found that factors that influence internet addiction among undergraduates include peer influence, family and demographic characteristics. Also, there are associated health consequences of internet usage addiction which include physical, mental and social. There is a need for serious and decisive intervention in order to minimize the challenges being faced by students who are addicted to the Internet.
The internet and computers are an important part of the education of gifted children. However, it is emphasized that excessive use for gaming purposes can affect the academic competence of children. This research aimed to identify the impact of online gaming on the development of academic, social, and emotional competences in gifted children. This research consisted of 252 gifted children who studied in special centers for training children with gifted children. The regression analysis was conducted and as a result, it was found that academic competence and emotional competence accounted for 30.30% of online gaming disorder in gifted children; however, social competence was not identified as a significant predictor of online gaming disorder in these children. Additionally, it was also discovered that levels of gaming disorder and academic competence varied by gender whereas social and emotional competences did not. Similarly, it was also demonstrated that the number of siblings and/or the educational background of parents did not have a significant impact on online gaming disorder as well as academic, social, and emotional competence levels in highly gifted children. It is considered important to conduct counseling interventions in schools to improve the self-efficacy of gifted children.
Internet and smartphone addiction have become an increasingly significant issue in modern society. It is characterized by excessive and uncontrolled use of these devices, which can severely impair individuals’ well-being and quality of life. Overusing the Internet and smartphones can have a profound impact on personal and interpersonal relationships, professional and academic performance, social life, as well as physical and mental health. Common symptoms of Internet and smartphone addiction include excessive preoccupation with devices, withdrawal symptoms when not using them, a compulsion to extend usage, difficulty in reducing or controlling usage time, and a loss of interest in other activities. Individuals may continue using these devices despite experiencing negative consequences, underestimate the amount of time spent on them, and use them as an escape from negative emotions, leading to a deterioration of interpersonal relationships. Effective preventive strategies include digital literacy education, parental interventions, promoting physical activity, and providing social support. Current research indicates that the most promising treatment approaches combine both therapeutic and pharmacological interventions. This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the characteristics, impacts, symptoms, diagnosis, and strategies for preventing and treating Internet and smartphone addiction.
Understanding digital addictions paves the way for an in-depth exploration of the topics discussed throughout the book. This chapter primarily aims to define and characterize behavioral addictions related to the use of digital media, shed light on the prevalence and social impact of these addictions across diverse populations, and establish comparative lines between digital addictions and common psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It also aims to highlight risk and protective factors influencing the development of these addictions and to elucidate the differences and similarities between behavioral addictions and substance dependency. This chapter is designed to establish a solid knowledge foundation, enabling readers from various backgrounds to grasp the complexity and multidimensionality of digital addictions. By offering a comprehensive overview, it lays the groundwork for a deeper discussion of each specific addiction in subsequent chapters, ensuring the reader attains a holistic understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of digital addictions.
Background
Most medical students assist in providing services to patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Therefore, promoting their mental health will increase care outcomes. Medical students may use the Internet more than other students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and Internet Addiction (IA) level among students of medical sciences.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on about 710 medical students of Babol Medical Sciences University, Iran, from September 2020 to June 2021. The links of web-based tools were provided through virtual networks. Data were collected using a the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (C-19AS). Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS and SPSS software.
Results
The results of the present study showed that the mean score of IA was 52.55 (18.31) and most students (41.1%) had moderate IA. The mean score of C-19AS was 18.97 (11.64) and most participants (40.7%) were normal and 30.6% of them had mild COVID-19 anxiety. There was a significant relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and IA ( r = 0.20; p < 0.001). The variables of having a history of COVID-19, having a family history of COVID-19, and the amount of daily Internet use played a moderating role in the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and IA.
Conclusions
The results showed that the IA scores of most students were moderate and most of the students had normal COVID-19 anxiety. Moreover, the IA level increased with increase in COVID-19 anxiety.
The family plays an immensely crucial role in the development of adolescents, significantly influencing their behavioral patterns. To explore the impact mechanism of the parental mediation (active mediation, restrictive mediation, and parental monitoring) on adolescents’ smartphone addiction, and analyze the chain-mediating role of basic psychological needs and fear of missing out (FoMO). Parental Mediation Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Basic Psychological Needs Scale and Fear of Missing Out Scale were administered to 5,841 adolescents. The sample comprised 2,772 boys (47.46%) and 3,069 girls (52.54%) with an age range of 11.5 to 15.3 years (M = 13.35, SD = 1.29). The results indicated that active mediation could negatively predict adolescents’ smartphone addiction, whereas restrictive mediation and parental monitoring could positively predict adolescents’ smartphone addiction; and after controlling for sex and age, basic psychological needs had a separate mediating effect on parental mediation and smartphone addiction. Moreover, this study observed a chained mediating effect between basic psychological needs and FoMO on the relationship between parental mediation and smartphone addiction. Meanwhile, FoMO did not have a mediating effect on the relationship between parental mediation and smartphone addiction. Based on social cognitive theory and self-determination theory, this study innovatively integrates parental mediation, adolescents’ basic psychological needs, fear of missing out, and smartphone addiction into a coherent model. More importantly, it separately examines the effects of active mediation, restrictive mediation, and parental monitoring within the same group of participants, allowing for a cross-comparison of the three types of parental mediation in the study. This provides a theoretical reference for reducing adolescents’ smartphone addiction.
Internet addiction is one of the psychological problems that arise due to advances in technology and the internet is getting faster. Internet addiction can be experienced by all individuals, especially teenagers who are currently demanded and required to use the internet in carrying out their daily activities. The purpose of this study is to empirically test the role of extraversion and fear of missing out on internet addiction experienced by adolescents who use the internet. Data for this study was obtained from 118 adolescents who were around 13-21 years old and actively used the internet for at least 4 hours a day. The data analysis technique in this study uses multiple regression tests. The research sampling technique is non-probability sampling. Based on the results of the analysis of the extraversion regression test, fear of missing out and internet addiction in adolescents, the value of r = 0.458 (p < 0.05 was obtained. The results of data analysis showed that extraversion and fear of missing us had an influence on internet addiction in adolescents by 45.8% both individually and collectively. ABSTRAK Kecanduan internet merupakan salah satu masalah psikologis yang timbul akibat kemajuan dibidang teknologi dan internet semakin pesat. Kecanduan internet dapat dialami oleh semua individu khususnya remaja yang pada saat ini tertuntut dan diharuskan menggunakan internet dalam menjalankan aktivitas sehari-harinya. Tujuan pada penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji secara empiris peran extraversion dan fear of missing out terhadap kecanduan internet yang dialami oleh remaja yang menggunakan internet. Data Penelitian ini diperoleh dari 118 orang remaja yang berusia sekitar 13-21 tahun dan aktif menggunakan internet minimal 4 jam dalam sehari. Teknik analisis data pada penelitian ini menggunakan uji regresi berganda. Teknik pengambilan sampel penelitian adalah non-probability sampling. Berdasarkan hasil analisis uji regresi extraversion, fear of missing out dan kecanduan internet pada remaja didapat nilai r = 0.458 (p < 0.05. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa extraversion dan fear of missing our memiliki pengaruh terhadap kecanduan internet pada remaja sebesar 45.8 % baik secara terpisah maupun secara kolektif.
The internet has evolved into an integral facet of the life and educational experience of college students. However, the driving force behind problematic internet use in medical students remains largely unexplored. Based on the cognitive–behavioral model and the affect regulation model of vulnerability, the present study seeks to investigate the underlying mechanism of the association between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use among medical students. A total of 435 undergraduate medical students were investigated using the Tendency to Expect Rejection Scale, Loneliness Scale, Self-control Scale, and Problematic Internet Test. The results revealed that rejection sensitivity could positively predict loneliness and problematic internet use. Mediation analyses revealed that loneliness served as a mediator in the link between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use. Additionally, self-control moderated the second stage of the indirect effects in the relationship between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use. These findings theoretically deepen our understanding of the psychological pathways and the boundary conditions linking medical students’ rejection sensitivity to their problematic internet use, while also offering valuable practical implications for decreasing problematic internet use.
Introduction
Adolescent depression is a growing concern worldwide. This study explores the relationship between peer bullying, cellphone usage, and adolescent depression, aiming to investigate a mediation effect model based on Erikson’s stages of psychological development.
Methods
Using a cluster sampling method and a cross-sectional survey, a total of 2343 adolescents aged 12 to 18 were recruited from 12 national medical institutions. Cluster sampling was used to select participants who were confirmed to have depression. The survey employed the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS), the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for paper-and pencil evaluations. The three variables were analyzed using SPSS 26 software, applying correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.
Results
The results showed that peer bullying has significant positive correlation with depression (r=0.330, p<0.001) and with cellphone use (r=0.287, p<0.001). Furthermore, cellphone usage was positively correlated with depression (r=0.333, p<0.001). Additionally, cellphone usage had a partial mediating effect between peer bullying and depression (r=0.414, p<0.001, b=0.234). The results underscore the crucial role of peer relationships in adolescent psychological development. Cellphone addiction mediates the link between adolescent depression and peer bullying, highlighting its significant impact.
Conclusion
These findings contribute to understanding the interplay between social influence and depression, offering practical guidelines for fostering a supportive school environment and regulating adolescents’ phone use.
Study procrastination is the deliberate postponement of tasks to the point of subjective discomfort. This study aims to provide useful insights for educators, counselors, and practitioners in designing effective interventions to help individuals overcome study procrastination associated with internet addiction, thereby improving their academic performance and psychological well-being. The hypothesis of this study is to see whether most internet addicts have a high level of study procrastination or not. The research population is 2021 psychology students, Campus V UNP Bukittinggi. The research sample amounted to 11 students. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The data collection tool used is the Procrastination Assessment Scale-Students scale (16 valid items). Data analysis using descriptive statistics. The results of data analysis show that there is a significant relationship between internet addiction and study procrastination in students at a high level of study procrastination (63,6%)
Bu araştırmanın amacı, lise öğrencilerinin problemli internet kullanımının karakter güçleri ve akademik başarı arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesidir. Araştırmada nicel desende korelasyonel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini, 2018-2019 Eğitim- Öğretim yılında 10, 11 ve 12. sınıfta öğrenim görmekte olan 1660 lise öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada veri toplama araçları olarak; Problemli İnternet Kullanım Ölçeği- (PİKÖ-E) ve Karakter Güçleri ve Erdemli Oluş Gençlik Envanteri (KGEGE), katılımcıların demografik bilgilerine ulaşmak için Kişisel Bilgi Formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularında lise öğrencilerinin tedbirlilik ve öz-kontrol/öz denetim karakter güçlerinin problemli internet kullanımını anlamlı bir düzeyde yordadığı bulgulanmıştır. Ayrıca cinsiyet, okul türü, anne eğitim düzeyi değişkenleri ele alındığında, problemli internet kullanımı bakımından anlamlı farklılıklar olduğu bulgulanmıştır. Tedbirlilik ve öz-kontrol/öz-denetim karakter güçlerinin lise öğrencilerinin problemli internet kullanımını yordamada önemli bir özellik olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Cinsiyet değişkenine göre problemli internet kullanımı açısından erkek öğrencilerin envanterden almış oldukları puanların kız öğrencilere göre daha yüksek düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Okul türü değişkeninde fen lisesinde öğrenim gören öğrencilerin diğer okul türlerindeki öğrencilere göre problemli internet kullanımı anlamlı şekilde daha az gösterdikleri, anne eğitim düzeyi değişkeninde ise annesi okur-yazar olmayan ve lise mezunu olan öğrencilerin problemli internet kullanımı puanları arasında anlamlı fark olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Çalışma bulguları sonucunda elde edilen bilgiler literatür doğrultusunda tartışılarak, gelecekte yapılabilecek çalışmalara yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
Burnout can contribute to poor health worker functioning, although its true impact on the quality of patient care is not well understood. The demanding nature of the healthcare environment necessitates health workers to make cognitive and behavioral efforts to cope with and ensure longevity in service. Thus, this review explored the available evidence on the mechanisms involved in addressing work stress and burnout in the healthcare workplace. Several individual coping mechanisms and institutional interventions have been identified. Further studies are needed to establish the effectiveness of documented interventions in reducing burnout and improving job performance and quality of care.
This study examined the influence of internet addiction on the psychological well-being of students in the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria in the post Covid era. University students are particularly vulnerable to internet addiction due to the pressures of academic life, social expectations, and the widespread availability of digital technology. The study employs a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, which allows for the collection of data at a single point in time. The study administered 100 questionnaires due to the regulatory admission of students in line with the American styled education. A combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling was employed to recruit participants for the study. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (means, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s r, regression, t-tests/ANOVA) performed using SPSS, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results indicate that internet addiction negatively impacts all six dimensions of psychological well-being, with environmental mastery and self-acceptance showing the strongest correlations. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether internet addiction predicts psychological well-being dimensions. The regression model was statistically significant (F (6, 93) = 7.85, p < 0.001), with an R² of 0.45, indicating that internet addiction accounts for 45% of the variance in psychological well-being. Early intervention and support are essential for addressing internet addiction and promoting psychological well-being among university students. Essentially, the research demonstrates a clear link between internet addiction and compromised psychological well-being in university students. This therefore highlights the need for awareness, prevention strategies, and support systems to help students maintain a healthy balance between their online and offline activities.
This study aimed to examine the role of self-esteem on adolescents’ Internet addiction. The sample of the study consisted of 324 adolescents from Trabzon, Turkey. “Internet Addiction Scale” and “Coopersmith Self- Esteem Scale” were used as data collection instruments. Obtained data were analyzed through Pearson-Product -Moment correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings showed that general self-esteem, social self-esteem, family-home self-esteem and total self-esteem were significantly and negatively correlated with Internet addiction. Furthermore, social self-esteem and family-home self-esteem were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction. These results were discussed and some conclusions were made.
With greater Internet availability, the pathological use of the Internet has become an emerging mental health issue among adolescents in China. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between Internet addiction and depression in migrant children (MC) and left-behind children (LBC). The present study was conducted using a cross-sectional design with 3,254 participants (8-17-years old), which included 1143 LBC, 574 MC, and 1287 nonleft-behind rural children (RC) from 12 schools. Young's 8-item Internet Addiction Scale was used to assess Internet dependency. The Children's Depression Inventory-Short Form was used to measure child depression. The results showed that the prevalence of depression was 10.9 percent among RC, 19.7 percent among MC, and 14.3 percent among LBC. The prevalence of Internet addiction was 3.7 percent among RC, and was 6.4 percent among MC and 3.2 percent among LBC. Depression was effected by the interaction between types of children and Internet addiction. LBC with Internet addiction (odds ratio [OR], 2.780; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.237-6.248), MC with Internet addiction (OR, 2.922; 95 percent CI, 1.116-7.652), and MC with no Internet addiction (OR, 2.735; 95 percent CI, 1.974-3.789) had higher risks of depression than that for RC with no-Internet addiction. The results indicated that Internet addiction might be associated with an increased risk of depression in LBC, and migration was an important risk factor for child depression.
From the late 1990s a growing number of children and adolescents are spending considerable time on the Internet, especially on multiplayer role-playing online games. This Internet addiction has become a great concern among Korean children and adolescents. Generally those who devote comparatively long hours to "being online", become socially withdrawn, bullied, depressed, neglected by their parents, or left behind in school. Internet addiction is not an officially accepted condition and consequentially subject to controversy. Some has successfully used Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire of Internet Addiction as operational criteria for internet addiction. Other researchers have used the 20-point Young Internet Addiction Scale in their studies. Despite the debate, most studies agree that close to 30% of Korean adolescents are Internet 'overusers', while 2~5% may be considered internet addicts. These individuals have clear psychopathologies, including anxiety, depression, attention deficit, relationship difficulties, and little family support. In this article a comprehensive stepwise approach is proposed for the evaluation of adolescents with internet addiction or misuse.
This study explores the relationships between Internet abuse (IA)—self-disclosure, online application usage, and relationship types—traditional long-distance, purely virtual, and migratory mixed-mode. An online ques-tionnaire was administered to 2884 children and youth. According to the hypotheses, applications differed in their relationships with participant IA and self-disclosure: the usage of some applications was related to both IA and self-disclosure; the usage of others related only to IA or neither to IA nor self-disclosure. IA and self-disclosure correlated with problematic participant online activities (e.g., sending photos of one to online acquain-tances, visiting sites with inappropriate contents), but did not affect educa-tional activities (e.g., studying online with classmates, preparing homework, or getting information). Participants reported the highest level of online communication in traditional long-distance relationships, lower level in purely virtual, and the lowest level in migratory mixed-mode relationships. Participant IA and self-disclosure positively influenced online communi-cation, but not interactions with the relationship type.
Objectives : This study compared covert narcissistic propensity in adolescents with internet addiction tendency to normal adolescents. Further, we investigated the correlation between such propensities and anonymity in cyberspace, presence feeling and interactivity in internet gaming, and achievement motivation in adolescents with internet addiction tendencies. Methods : Male middle school students with internet addiction tendencies (Addiction Tendency Group, N=27) and normal students (Control Group, N=29) were recruited. The scale of internet use, Covert Narcissism Scale, scale of achievement motivation, scale of anonymity in cyberspace, scale of presence feeling in internet games, and the scale of interactivity in internet games were administered. A comparison of the average scores and correlation analyses were performed. Results : 1) Compared with Control Group, the Addiction Tendency Group showed significantly higher scores on all subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale, and both the scale of presence feeling and that of interactivity in internet games. Further, the score on the scale of achievement motivation for the Addiction Tendency Group was significantly lower than that of the Control Group. 2) In the Addiction Tendency Group, the scores on several subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale were significantly positively correlated with the scores on the scale of presence feeling in internet games, anonymity in cyberspace, and interactivity in internet games. However, in the Control Group, the scores of several subscales on the Covert Narcissism Scale were significantly negatively correlated with the score on the scale of achievement motivation, and was significantly positively correlated with the score on the scale of interactivity in internet games. There were no other significant correlations between the scores on the subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale and the scores of either presence feeling in internet games or anonymity in cyberspace. Conclusion : These results suggested that adolescents with a tendency to be addicted to the internet exhibited higher covert narcissistic propensities than normal adolescents and that the covert narcissistic tendencies were related with presence feeling in cyber games as well as with anonymity in cyberspace.
Online game addiction has become a common phenomenon that affects many individuals and societies. In this study we rely on the functionalist perspective of human behavior and propose and test a balanced model of the antecedents of online game addiction among adolescents, which simultaneously focuses on motivating, and prevention and harm reduction forces. First, a sample of 163 adolescents was used for validating and refining a survey instrument. Second, survey data collected from 623 adolescents were analyzed with Partial Least Squares techniques. The findings point to several functional needs (e.g., need for relationship and need for escapism) that drive online game playing and addiction, as well as to several prevention and harm reduction factors (e.g., education, attention switching activities) that reduce game playing time and alleviate online game addiction. The effects of motivation and prevention factors on online game addiction are often partially mediated by online game playing. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Information Systems enjoyment has been identified as a desirable phenomenon, because it can drive various aspects of system use. In this study, we argue that it can also be a key ingredient in the formation of adverse outcomes, such as technology-related addictions, through the positive reinforcement it generates. We rely on several theoretical mechanisms and, consistent with previous studies, suggest that enjoyment can lead to presumably positive outcomes, such as high engagement. Nevertheless, it can also facilitate the development of a strong habit and reinforce it until it becomes a ‘bad habit’, that can help forming a strong pathological and maladaptive psychological dependency on the use of the IT artifact (i.e., technology addiction). We test and validate this dual effect of enjoyment, with a data set of 194 social networking website users analyzed with SEM techniques. The potential duality of MIS constructs and other implications for research and practice are discussed.
Internet addiction is a mental health problem that affects a significant number of people worldwide. Our study attempted to investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents and to explore the predictors of Internet addiction and its association with well-being. A total of 10,988 adolescents from nine different cities in China were surveyed using the Diagnostic Questionnaire (DQ) for Internet addiction, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Adolescent's Satisfaction with Life Scale. The mean age of the whole sample was 17.2 years (ranging from 13 to 23 years). The prevalence rate of Internet addiction among the surveyed adolescents was 7.5, which was influenced by gender and grade (74.027, p<0.001; 7.162, p<0.05). The breadth of extracurricular activities, the age when people used Internet for the first time, and whether people used Internet for the first time in Internet bar were significant predictors of Internet addiction (0.065, p<0.001; 0.101, p<0.001; .545, p<0.001). Finally, our study found evidence demonstrating the link between Internet addiction and well-being. Increased symptoms of problematic use were associated with decreased self-esteem (F258.344, p<0.001), satisfaction with life (F232.428, p<0.001), and increased depression (F607.062, p<0.001). © 2013 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.
Violent digital game play has repeatedly been discussed to be strongly related to aggression and emotional instability. Thus, digital game players have to defend against these prejudices through emphasizing positive game-related concepts such as achievement, social interaction, and immersion. We experimentally investigated which positive- and negative-concept players and nonplayers activate when being primed with digital games. Participants were either exposed to violent or nonviolent game content and were required to work on a lexical decision task. Results showed that response latencies for the concept aggression and emotional instability were faster than for neutral concepts (not associated with digital games), but slower than for the positive concepts sociality and competition. Both players and nonplayers felt the need to defend against prejudices and emphasized positive concepts. Neither their own gaming experience nor the game content influenced the results. Being a part of the net generation is sufficient to suppress negative game-related concepts and to support positive game-related concepts to protect digital games as common leisure activity among peers
This study examined how internet users’ psychological characteristics, amount of internet use and demographic factors contribute to particular dimensions of internet addiction. The sample consisted of 384 adolescents, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years. Participants were asked to complete the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), measures of Locus of Control, Depression, Loneliness, Self-esteem, and Social Anxiety as well as an inventory that included demographic factors and questions about the amount of Internet use. Results revealed significant associations between variables and different sets of predictors across the four dimensions of Internet use behaviour identified in the study. However, locus of control, depression, and amount of internet use were significant predictors of all internet addiction dimensions. Recommendations are provided on how researchers can strengthen the field of research concerning how internet addiction is manifested and which adolescent internet users are more susceptible to different manifestations of addiction.
This article reviewed various Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) studies in Korea. The study showed that the symptoms of IAD have been reported by many Korean scholars, but the current Korean literature shows that IAD has yet to have a universally accepted theoretical framework. Internet addictions have been studied in various disciplines, and a multimodal approach that uses a combination of interactivity between psychotherapies and other intervention skills has been suggested by various authors, but has yet to be formed. A further study is required to explore a structural map based on the interrelations between IAD risk factors and to establish its treatment modalities.
This research documents the process and results of an approach to teaching university undergraduates intentional self-development
skills designed to promote self-generated goals, routines, and lifestyle choices. These skills may provide effective behavioral
foundations for developing metacognitive awareness, intentionality, and individual well-being. The results of six original
behavioral interventions, implemented in two James Madison University courses, provide initial support for the effectiveness
of these instructional methodologies.
In this study, 438 players of the online video game, World of Warcraft, completed a survey about video game addiction and
answered an open-ended question about behaviors they considered characteristic of video game addiction. Responses were coded
and correlated with players’ self-reports of being addicted to games and scores on a modified video game addiction scale.
The behaviors most frequently mentioned as characteristic of addiction included playing a lot and games’ interfering with
other activities, especially socializing or work. Few players mentioned such signs of addiction as withdrawal symptoms or
tolerance, and some thought it was not possible to become addicted to video games. Self-reported addiction to video games
correlated positively with perceptions that video game addiction involved playing a lot or playing to escape problems, and
correlated negatively with perceptions that addiction involved games’ interfering with other activities or not being able
to stop play. Implications for assessment are discussed.
Background: Childhood physical inactivity may exacerbate other behaviorally linked cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, which have been associated with subsequent morbidity and mortality later in life. Evidence suggests that physical activity as adults is related to their exercise patterns as children. Methods: Television watching and Internet use time were evaluated for one week, and their relationships to various physical fitness parameters among 129 high school girls were assessed. Leisure-time physical activity, quantified by a 21-day physical activity diary and a compendium of physical activities with metabolic equivalent (MET) intensities, and attitudinal belief to leisure-time physical activity were compared to all the aforementioned variables. Results: No significant correlations were found between television watching time or Internet use time with body mass index, one-mile run time, and three different operational definitions of leisure-time physical activity. One-mile run time correlated moderately with body mass index and negatively with leisure-time physical activity. Caloric expenditure during lei-sure-time physical activity was weakly related to body mass index. Attitudinal belief to leisure-time physical activity correlated significantly with leisure-time physical activity, weekly caloric expenditure, and inversely with one-mile run time. The foremost predictor of mile-run time was body mass index, followed by attitudinal belief to leisure-time physical activity and leisure-time physical activity. Conclusions: Leisure-time physical activity and attitudinal belief to leisure-time physical activity are significantly (and inversely) associated with physical fitness only when expressed by an actual performance measure, but not when represented by the sum of the skinfold measurements, body fat, or body mass index. Physical fitness is unrelated to Internet use time or television watching time. Furthermore, since these sedentary behaviors are unrelated to leisure-time physical activity, yet positively correlated with each other, it is suggested that time spent watching television or on the Internet does not occur at the expense of leisure-time physical activity.
While the Internet has revolutionized the process of information gathering and communication in society, there has been mounting concern in the literature as to the effect of the medium on the individual. Researchers appear torn as to whether an individual can actually develop an addiction to the Internet. This report will review this controversy in detail, including proposed definitional criteria for problematic Internet use, explanatory theories of the manifestation of problematic Internet use, measures of problematic Internet use, and groups with a higher vulnerability of developing problematic Internet use. The report will conclude by identifying gaps in the literature, areas for future research, and implications for human service agencies and treatment providers.
Purpose
This paper aims to show how instant messaging (IM) service providers are helping and hindering societal mental health among young adults. That is, IM services provide users with an ability to obtain instantaneous and inexpensive support in their time of need. However, excessive internet usage may place IM users at risk of experiencing symptoms associated with internet addiction and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose a framework obtained from coding qualitative data. They test the framework with structural equation methodology and latent mean analysis from data collected from younger‐aged Chinese and American IM users in two studies.
Findings
Younger‐aged IM users in both China and the US obtain social support from their virtual networks. However, both groups of IM users show signs of elevated levels of internet addiction and of being at risk of experiencing symptoms associated with ADHD.
Research limitations/implications
Excessive IM and internet usage may hinder young adults' mental health, and the problem is likely to grow in the future. The work confirms recent trends in US psychology to consider internet addiction a mental health disorder.
Social implications
Both service and public health researchers are encouraged to consider the impact of technological services, including internet usage and IM, on consumer health and well‐being. People with ADHD are particularly susceptible to internet addiction; thus, technological services may be damaging society's mental health.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates how researchers can engage in transformative service research, referring to research with implications that affect global consumer health and well‐being. The work also shows a “dark side” to services and the unintended consequences of service technology on public health. Both topics have not been explored in service research.
Abstract Many researchers and professionals have reported nonsubstance addiction to online entertainments in adolescents. However, very few scales have been designed to assess problem Internet use in this population, in spite of their high exposure and obvious vulnerability. The aim of this study was to review the currently available scales for assessing problematic Internet use and to validate a new scale of this kind for use, specifically in this age group, the Problematic Internet Entertainment Use Scale for Adolescents. The research was carried out in Spain in a gender-balanced sample of 1131 high school students aged between 12 and 18 years. Psychometric analyses showed the scale to be unidimensional, with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.92), good construct validity, and positive associations with alternative measures of maladaptive Internet use. This self-administered scale can rapidly measure the presence of symptoms of behavioral addiction to online videogames and social networking sites, as well as their degree of severity. The results estimate the prevalence of this problematic behavior in Spanish adolescents to be around 5 percent.
Background: Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is one of the most widely used scales for assessing Internet addiction. Aims: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the value of IAT for subjects clinically diagnosed with Internet addiction. Methods: A total of 52 subjects, whose chief complaint and most serious behavioral problem was Internet addiction, were enrolled at an Internet-addiction clinic associated with a university hospital. The IAT was administered to assess the existence and severity of Internet addiction. Subjects were classified according to the severity guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) and according to the duration of their Internet addiction. Results: The mean IAT score of our clinical subjects was 62.8 ± 18.2, which was below 70, the cut-off point indicating significant problems. The IAT detected only 42% of the clinical subjects as having significant problems with Internet addiction. No significant differences in IAT scores among those with mild, moderate and severe degrees of Internet addition were found, and no association between IAT scores and duration of illness was observed. Conclusions: IAT scores were not significant correlated with clinical severity and duration of illness in a clinical population. This instrument had limited clinical utility for evaluating the severity of Internet addiction. Considerable caution is required in interpretations of IAT scores.
Addiction treatment providers are well aware that substance addictions routinely co-occur with psychiatric disorders and other substance addictions. The effectiveness of group treatment requires that all co-occurring disorders be identified. Practitioners tend to overlook the behavioral addictions that accompany substance-based and psychiatric disorders. This article provides a comprehensive overview of epidemiological data on behavioral addictions as they co-occur with substance addictions, psychiatric disorders, and other behavioral addictions. The major implications of this knowledge for the assessment and treatment of addictions are discussed.
Internet addiction is one of the most serious public health problems in South Korea. The challenge confronting the nation has been to develop cost-effective strategies to intervene in and prevent the problem, especially with regard to adolescents who have been exposed to the Internet from their earliest years. Although there are very few studies on the prevention of compulsive use of the Internet, it can never be too early to discuss this issue. This chapter presents the clinical features of Internet addiction, data on its prevalence, specific prevention programs designed to help raise awareness of Internet addiction, and future directions for those who deal with the potential of online compulsivity, especially among youth.
Internet and cell phone use is nearly universal among adolescents today. However, little is known about the effects of these technologies on adolescent development and vice versa. Accordingly, this chapter will review the published evidence on technology use among adolescents (e.g., Internet, cybersex, "sexting"), with a particular focus on the relationship between these technologies and sexual behavior. Problematic Internet use among adolescents will be considered, including a critical review of the construct of "Internet addiction." The authors suggest caution in drawing conclusions about individual youth due to the dearth of available data on these topics, and the heterogeneity of the adolescent population in general. Additional clinical recommendations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Patterns of Internet use among 531 college students were investigated (46.3% men, 53.7% women, 68.5% Caucasian, 10.7% Hispanic American, 8.9% Asian American, 3% African American, 0.2% American Indian, 8.7% international students, age M = 24.46). Seventy-three percent of the students accessed the Internet at least once a week, 13% of weekly users reported that their use was excessive and significantly interfered with personal functioning. Findings support further development of educational programming and research.
Background and aims: A considerable body of literature has emerged over the past two decades assessing the relationship between problematic or addictive use of the Internet and various indices of psychological well-being. Conversely, comparatively little research has assessed the relationship between problematic or addictive use of the Internet and one's physical health. Method: The current study assesses this relationship using a sample of college students (N = 133) who responded online to two questionnaires: the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ; Demetrovics, Szeredi & Rozsa, 2008) and the SF-36v2 Health Survey (Ware et al., 2008). Results: The findings indicate that problematic Internet use is associated with poorer physical health. These results are consistent with other data that assessed the relationship between these two variables. Furthermore, this relationship supersedes the influence of the number of hours spent online per day. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in terms of the limitations of the study design and conclusions that can be drawn from this preliminary empirical effort.
This article discusses strategies professional school counselors can use to recognize and intervene with students who are presenting with signs of addictive behaviors. First, the authors present a definition of addictive behaviors. The authors then define and discuss the most common addictive behaviors impacting adolescents, with a special emphasis on gaming addiction. Finally, the article offers screening and intervention strategies that professional school counselors can use in the school setting.
Massively Multiplayer Online Game MMOG dependency has been widely studied but research results suggest inconclusive antecedent causes. This study proposes and empirically tests three predictive models of MMOG dependency using a survey of online gaming participants. It finds multimedia realism for social interaction serves as an original antecedent factor affecting other mediating factors to cause MMOG dependency. These mediating factors derive from Uses and Gratifications theory and include: 1 participation in a virtual community, 2 diversion from everyday life, and 3 a pleasant aesthetic experience. Of these, participation in a virtual community has a strong positive relationship with MMOG dependency, and aesthetics has a modest negative relationship. Moderator analyses suggest neither gender nor "frequency of game playing" are significant but experience playing online games is a significant moderating factor of MMOG dependency.
This study determined if two different internet addiction assessments would identify the same individuals as addicted to the internet. A total of 224 undergraduate internet users were surveyed using a stratified sampling plan based on the proportional allocation technique to procure as diverse a sample as possible. The assessments used were Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Caplan's Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS), a demographic questionnaire, and a reasons-for-use questionnaire. Results showed that about 0.9% of the sample could be considered addicted to the internet according to both the IAT and GPIUS, which is a smaller percentage than found in previous studies. There were too few participants identified as addicted to the internet to determine if these two assessments identified the same individuals as addicted; however, over a third of the sample was identified as "at risk" for addiction by one assessment and not the other. These results show that the assessment measure used is of extreme importance when diagnosing internet addiction and more robust sampling procedures may lead to fewer internet addicts identified, which could be a more accurate reflection of internet addiction in the target population.
If a repeated gamble is subjectively structured into units each consisting of a string of consecutive losses followed by a single win, longer strings will necessarily be less valuable. Longer, less valuable strings will be discounted by delay more than will shorter, more valuable strings. This implies that the whole gamble's expected, delay-discounted value will increase as delay discounting increases. With this restructuring, even games of (objectively) negative expected value, such as those at casinos, may be subjectively positive. The steeper the delay discounting, the greater the subjective value of the gamble (over normal ranges of discounting steepness). Frequent gamblers, who value gambles highly, would thus be expected to discount delayed rewards more steeply than would nongamblers.
Loin d’être un débat d’ordre sémantique, le concept de dépendance est un enjeu psychosocial fondamental dans la mesure où la conception et la définition d’une condition ont un impact direct sur la compréhension du phénomène ainsi que sur les types de services et de traitements à privilégier. À partir d’une synthèse des écrits scientifiques, et comme cadre théorique, nous proposons dans un premier temps de mettre en lumière le processus de médicalisation comme modalité de contrôle social en contexte de dépendance. Dans un deuxième temps, nous illustrerons comment la perspective psychosociale, telle que mise en oeuvre dans les travaux de Peele, constitue une richesse qui nous permet de mieux comprendre une variété impressionnante d’activités humaines liées aux dépendances : cyberdépendance, jeux de hasard et d’argent, psychotropes, etc. Dans un troisième temps, et à partir de la grille de Peele, nous tenterons de démontrer comment ses travaux contribuent à créer des conditions plus propices à la dépathologisation et au développement du pouvoir d’agir des personnes en misant sur les forces plutôt que sur les carences. En guise de conclusion, nous explorerons des pistes de rapprochement entre le discours médical et le discours social.
More than any other medical speciality, psychiatry is plagued by assertions presented as scientific dogma based on insufficient or no scientific evidence. This book is a wholesome corrective. It is based on data, tests a number of hypotheses, and disproves several hoary truisms. It presents information collected in a research study of depressed women in New Haven, Conn. The study was narrowly defined but well designed. Forty women who sought treatment for acute depressive symptoms at New Haven Clinic were followed up for 20 months and periodically evaluated, using a structured interview designed to assess social adjustment as quantitatively as possible. They were compared with a control group carefully matched on many social variables.The results of the study overturn some well-entrenched preconceived notions about the etiology and course of depression. The psychoanalytic teaching that "depression is anger turned inward" was disproved by the finding that most of the women
This investigation involved testing a theoretical model whereby online communication attitudes (including self-disclosure, social connection, apprehension, convenience, and miscommunication) predict problematic Internet use and, in turn, poor well-being outcomes. The results generally supported the model with self-disclosure and social connection being predictive of compulsive Internet use and excessive Internet use. Apprehension emerged as a significant predictor of compulsive Internet use, whereas convenience and miscommunication were predictive of excessive Internet use. Compulsive, but not excessive, Internet use was predictive of poor well-being outcomes. The data also suggest that compulsive Internet use mediates the relationship between online communication attitude and well-being.
Across the globe, and particularly in the high-income countries of the developed world, adolescents are resorting in increasing numbers to the virtual world for peer interaction and socialisation (Subrahmanyam, Smahel and Greenfield 2006). This new and popular way of relating through virtual mediums such as the Internet has sparked public concern, and has been a focus of academic debate. Ongoing debate in psychology literature discusses the notion of compulsive usage of online communication platforms (commonly termed Internet addiction), particularly among adolescents (Kim et al. 2006, Fu et al. 2010, Israelashvili, Kim and Bukobza 2012).
Prior literature on humor primarily documents its positive effects on employees’ attitudes and behaviors, though increasing research on aggressive humor suggests some conflicting viewpoints. This paper proposes a model based on social comparison and attribution theories to examine the influence of supervisors’ aggressive humor on employees’ strain and addictive behaviors. The tests of the research model entailed a 2‐wave study with 243 frontline employees from 4 manufacturing companies of a group corporation in China. The results showed that supervisors’ aggressive humor with employees related positively to employees’ strain. This positive association became stronger when the supervisors did not use aggressive humor with the peers of the focal employees. Employees’ strain mediated the interactive effects of supervisors’ aggressive humor with the focal employees and those with their peers on employees’ addictive behaviors (e.g., problematic use of Internet, alcohol, and tobacco). As well as having practical implications, this study offers theoretical insights for research into humor, leadership, and addictive behaviors.
Purpose
This paper aims to illustrate how a company's current 24‐hour e‐mail culture impacts on employees' lives outside of their contracted working hours. There are two objectives of the study – first, to calculate the average time spent on work e‐mails by employees per day outside of working hours and, second, to identify what impact e‐mail had on employees' work‐life balance by addressing three research questions. These questions aims to focus on the relationships between: employees' thoughts about company culture and their belief that their work is dependent on them checking their e‐mails outside of working hours; employees' urges to check e‐mails out of working hours and their belief that spending time on e‐mails outside of work means they are neglecting their social life; and employees sending e‐mails out of office hours and their expectation of a quick reply or action.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach was taken. Employees from a multinational service organisation were invited to complete an online questionnaire and a seven‐day diary so as to collect qualitative and quantitative data about their use of e‐mail.
Findings
Data were analysed with respect to respondents' gender, role and length of service in the organisation and discussed with respect to the current literature.
Research limitations/implications
Although the limitations of exploring a single organisation are recognised, it is likely that some of the insights and lessons generated by the study will be transferable to other organisational settings.
Practical implications
This study identified some short‐term recommendations as to how a particular company could limit the negative impact that e‐mails have on its employees' lives outside of contracted working hours. In addition, this study will also raise awareness of the pervasion of work‐related communications into employees' personal lives and, hopefully, trigger further research into the long‐term psychological and sociological effects of a 24/7 communication culture.
Originality/value
There are two novel aspects to this study: the use of diaries as a method of data collection and the notion of exploring e‐mail use “out of hours”.
The Italian version of the Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was administered online to a sample of Italian chatters (n = 236) who were different in terms of gender, age, and occupation. Results revealed that young users are more at-risk subjects for Internet addiction than adults, perceiving a compromised social and individual quality of their life that led them to make a compensatory usage of the Internet. Similarly, employed users perceive their social and individual quality of life as more compromised by the Internet than students. Moreover, subjects who declared spending much time online obtained IAT scores higher than others in all the IAT subscales. Finally, nightly users are more at-risk subjects for developing an Internet addiction disorder, diminishing their individual quality of life and disabling their time control.
A grave socio-psychological problem (that is often overlooked by the national press) is discussed due to the modern scientific and technological progress in cyberspace. The negative effects of abnormal pastimes are considered in detail, as well as the patterns of deviant behavior on the web that are characteristic of Internet addicts (adults and children) and the prevention of Internet addiction disorder.
Internet addiction has been a subject of research since 1996. In step with this trend, this study aims to illuminate Internet addiction in Lebanon based on research evidence. The timing of this study coincides with the growing rate of penetration of Internet service across the country and with current plans to improve this service. This study investigates Internet usage among adolescents, who are the most vulnerable to Internet addiction in the population. Permission to access schools to conduct this research was obtained from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. A web-based questionnaire was completed by 833 intermediate and secondary students from public and private schools. The questionnaire included items on demographic information and Internet usage and an Arabic version of Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT). The results showed that 4.2% of the sample had significant problems. Furthermore, the more problematic Internet use (PIU) was, the less the Internet was used for information and research, and the more it was used for entertainment. PIU is driven by deficiency needs fuelled by the use of interactive applications. The more deficient the need, the greater the obsession with top-notch interactive applications, and the less frequent the usage of non-interactive applications.
A key element of research on Internet addiction is a valid and reliable assessment of problems individuals experience in their daily life due to an excessive or pathological use of the Internet. One of the most frequently used questionnaires is Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT). However, the factorial structure of the IAT is still discussed controversially. In four studies with different samples we (a) addressed the factorial structure of the IAT with exploratory factor analysis and reduced the items to those with sufficient factor loadings and good item characteristics, (b) checked the factorial structure using confirmatory factor analysis, and (c) analyzed convergent, divergent and incremental validities. We revealed a short version of the IAT, which consists of 12 items and a two-factorial solution with good reliability (study 1). The two factors were named “loss of control/time management” and “craving/social problems”. This two-factorial solution was confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis (study 2) and we have found good indices for convergent, divergent and incremental validity (studies 3 and 4). In conclusion, the short version of the IAT has good psychometric properties and represents the Internet addiction’s key elements based on the proposed diagnostic criteria.
Along with the advances and positives the Internet can have for relationships, there are also significant challenges to couples and families, including the potential for Internet addiction, Internet infidelity, cybersex, and other issues. The ambiguity between these concepts in literature creates difficulty in diagnosis and treatment for couple therapists. We propose four dimensions that can assist therapists to appropriately distinguish between an Internet infidelity scenario, a sex addiction facilitated by the Internet, and an Internet addiction.
The Compulsive Internet Uses Scale (CIUS) is a tool designed to evaluate the severity of the Internet-related compulsive behavior. The aim of this article is to propose a French validation of a 9-items short version adapted for the adolescent population. The sample was composed of 269 adolescents with a mean age of 13.8 years. The results of the confirmatory analyses show that a unidimensional model (α=0.85) is correctly adjusted with the data and is invariant among gender. The criterion validity is examined using two scores of depression and self-esteem. When the adolescents are classified in two categories – compulsive; non-compulsive – the firsts have higher scores of depression and weaker scores of self-esteem than the seconds. The CUIS-9 thus has good psychometric qualities and constitutes a potentially useful tool for researchers and the practitioners.
Internet and computer addiction has been a popular research area since the 90s. Studies on Internet and computer addiction have usually been conducted in the US, and the investigation of computer and Internet addiction at different countries is an interesting area of research. This study investigates computer and Internet addiction among teenagers and Internet cafe visitors in Turkey. We applied a survey to 983 visitors in the Internet cafes. The results show that the Internet cafe visitors are usually teenagers, mostly middle and high-school students and usually are busy with computer and Internet applications like chat, e-mail, browsing and games. The teenagers come to the Internet cafe to spend time with friends and the computers. In addition, about 30% of cafe visitors admit to having an Internet addiction, and about 20% specifically mention the problems that they are having with the Internet. It is rather alarming to consider the types of activities that the teenagers are performing in an Internet cafe, their reasons for being there, the percentage of self-awareness about Internet addiction, and the lack of control of applications in the cafe.
The term “addiction” has been used to describe several Impulse-Control Disorders. Models that have been developed for Substance-Related Disorders suggest a more general applicability in understanding and treating Impulse-Control Disorders. Neurocircuits and the neurochemical mediation of pleasure responses may represent a shared neurobiological substrate, linking addictions of both types. In this review, Pathological Gambling, Kleptomania, Compulsive Buying, Pyromania, and Problematic Internet Use are examined from a neurobiological perspective, with a specific focus on pleasure pathway responses.
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to profile young Turkish consumers by segmenting them over internet addiction.
Design/methodology/approach
To profile the segments, the study analyses the internet addiction and its preceding factors among 313 Turkish high school internet user students, aged 15‐18 years old, selected on a convenience basis. The data of this descriptive study were collected by a structured questionnaire. The relationship among internet addiction and the preceding factors; demographics, internet use hours, purpose of internet use, other media consumption, gratification of internet use are examined.
Findings
TV consumption, internet use hours, three purposes of internet use factors as “social navigation”, “targeted navigation”, “download”, besides four gratification factors namely “diversion and means”, “improve one self”, “virtual relationship”, “virtual community” were found to explain 40 percent of variation in internet addiction. The model was tested with structural equation modeling (SEM). Then the students were clustered based on internet addiction and were profiled by the preceding factors as defined in the resulting model.
Research limitations/implication
The research is limited to young people in Turkey using a convenience sample with a questionnaire methodology. Future research could extend the cultural base and utilize other methods.
Originality/value
This is a pioneering study for internet use in Turkey. In the near future, an increase in Internet use will be expected. The paper helps Turkish marketers be aware of the Internet use experience of their young consumers.
Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the internet use of Turkish adolescents, with a (particular) focus on the risk of internet addiction. A web-based questionnaire was completed by a total of 4,311 adolescents attending public high schools in grades 9-12, in a small-sized city in western Turkey. Ages ranged from 15 to 19 years, 54 percent were female and 46 percent male. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic information, internet usage, and a Turkish version of the Young's Internet Addiction Test. The data were analyzed in SPPS 15.0 program using the t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, correlation and hierarchic regression analysis. The findings show that, regardless of gender, Facebook ranked highest in the classification of students' purpose of internet use; it was also found that females mainly used the internet for communication, whereas males were more interested in playing online games and reading newspapers and magazines. The results of hierarchic regression analysis indicated that the significant predictors of the internet addiction were the presence of internet access at home, gender, and family income levels.
The research was inspired by comments from the press and concerned academics who suggested that computer use could convert 'normal' people into antisocial, machine-code junkies. Contrary to such opinions, the computer-dependent individuals who took part in the study were intelligent, interesting, hospitable, but misunderstood people, who from experience had learned to mistrust humans. Instead from an early age, they had turned to the safe and predictable world of the inanimate, and by exploring their environments had become true scientists and philosophers. Their responses were far from neurotic, instead they were logical coping strategies which allowed them to make sense of the world within which they lived. They were pursuing an interest which not only provided intellectual challenge and excitement in infinite variety, but for most also enabled them to turn a fascinating hobby into a successful means of earning a living; an ideal to which most would aspire.
The advent of the Internet is among the most significant changes in recent decades and has greatly affected the entire range of human experience. However, it has, in turn, led to the emergence of psychopathological features of addiction linked to its use. Literature on the clinical management of the distress related to Internet use systematically measures up to an evolving nosography, with ambiguous definitions of the phenomenon and a diversity of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic criteria. To date, case studies on "Internet addiction" treatment are rather limited, and no standard clinical treatment protocols exist. With regard to pharmacological treatment options, empirical or anecdotal assessments are mostly referred to. The aim of this article was to review current literature on Internet addiction treatment and assess the extent to which specific pharmacological interventions alleviate these patients' symptomatic burden, to propose a rationale that may guide the therapeutic approach. To this end, we also explored pharmacological interventions that target patterns of comorbidity and underlying psychopathological dimensions shared with other behavioral or substance addictions.