Abstract
The considerable prominence of internet addiction (IA) in adolescence is at least partly explained by the limited knowledge thus far available on this complex phenomenon. In discussing IA, it is necessary to be aware that this is a construct for which there is still no clear definition in the literature. Nonetheless, its important clinical implications, as emerging in recent years, justify the lively interest of researchers in this new form of behavioral addiction. Over the years, studies have associated IA with numerous clinical problems. However, fewer studies have investigated what factors might mediate the relationship between IA and the different problems associated with it. Ours is one such study. The Italian version of the SCL-90 and the IAT were administered to a sample of almost 800 adolescents aged between 16 and 22 years. We found the presence of a significant association between IA and two variables: somatization (β = 7.80; p < 0.001) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (β = 2.18; p < 0.05). In line with our hypothesis, the results showed that somatization predicted the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and IA (β = −2.75; t = −3.55; p < 0.001), explaining 24.5% of its variance (ΔR2 = 1.2%; F = 12.78; p < 0.01). In addition, simple slopes analyses revealed that, on reaching clinical significance (+1 SD), somatization showed higher moderation effects in the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and IA (β = 6.13; t = 7.83; p < 0.001). These results appear to be of great interest due to the absence of similar evidence in the literature, and may open the way for further research in the IA field. Although the absence of studies in the literature does not allow us to offer an exhaustive explanation of these results, our study supports current addiction theories which emphasize the important function performed by the enteroceptive system, alongside the more cited reflexive and impulsive systems.
Highlights
Internet addiction (IA), referred to as problematic, pathological, or compulsive Internet use, is a controversial concept in the research field
We hypothesized that the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and IA would be stronger at higher levels of somatization symptoms
Repetitive behavioral manifestations aimed at achieving immediate gratification or de-escalating the distress triggered by obsessive thoughts in order to improve one’s feelings are typical of addictions and compulsive behaviors (Robbins and Clark, 2015)
Summary
Internet addiction (IA), referred to as problematic, pathological, or compulsive Internet use, is a controversial concept in the research field. Distress is expressed in the form of behavioral agitation, somatic symptoms, boredom and an inclination to act (Carlson, 2000), all modalities that facilitate the development of a coping strategy based on compulsive Internet use. This is a problem, given that 80% of adolescents use tablets or smartphones (Fox and Duggan, 2013), whereas general population prevalence rates range from 0.8% (Italy) to 26.5% (Hong Kong) (Kuss et al, 2014)
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