Chinese Internet Addiction Scale Research Articles

Posttraumatic stress symptoms, adversity belief, and internet addiction in adolescents who experienced a major earthquake

This study assessed the moderating role of adversity beliefs in the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and internet addiction (IA) in adolescents over 9.5 years old in the period after the Wenchuan earthquake. We recruited a total of 776 middle-school students in the area hit by the earthquake. The students were asked to complete a negative life events scale, the DSM-5 PTSD checklist, the Chinese adversity beliefs scale, and the Chinese internet addiction scale. We found that PTSSs, including intrusive symptoms, negative alterations in mood and cognition symptoms (NAMC), and hyperarousal symptoms but not avoidance symptoms, had positive predictive effects on IA. Positive adversity beliefs had negative predictive effects on IA. A moderating effect analysis showed that positive adversity beliefs could buffer the influence of PTSSs’ negative alterations in mood and cognition symptoms on IA. However, positive adversity beliefs were not found to have a buffering role in the relationship between intrusive, avoidance, and hyperarousal PTSS symptoms and IA.

Internet addiction among college students in a Chinese population: Prevalence, correlates, and its relationship with suicide attempts.

Internet addiction is common, but its relationship with suicide attempts is rarely reported among Chinese college students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of internet addiction among Chinese college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,098 college students in Hunan province, China. We collected the following data: demographic variables, suicidal behaviors, internet addiction (Revised Chinese Internet Addiction Scale), depression (Self-reporting Depression Scale), and anxiety (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale). The prevalence of internet addiction was 7.7% in these Chinese college students. Logistic regression analysis showed that good relationship with mother (1.730 [1.075, 2.784]), good relationship with father (0.615 [0.427, 0.885]), family history of mental disorders (2.291 [1.122, 4.676]), anxiety (1.987 [1.382, 2.857]), depression (2.016 [1.384, 2.937]), suicidal ideation (2.266 [1.844, 2.784]), and suicide attempts (1.672 [1.258, 2.224]) were independent correlates for internet addiction, the adjusted R square for this model is 13.7%. Furthermore, the prevalence of suicide attempts among internet addiction participants was 21.4%, and anxiety (3.397 [1.058, 10.901]), suicidal ideation (26.984 [11.538, 63.112]), and suicide plans (8.237 [3.888, 17.451]) were the independent predictors for suicide attempts, the adjusted R square for this model is 51.6%. Our results show that internet addiction is common among Chinese college students. In addition, suicide attempts are very common among internet addicts, suggesting that special measures and attention should be provided to these students according to risk factors to prevent their suicidal behavior.

The Effect of Solution-Focused Group Counseling Intervention on College Students’ Internet Addiction: A Pilot Study

This pilot study aimed to explore the effect of solution-focused group counseling intervention on Internet addiction among college students. Eighteen college students participated in this study, out of which nine subjects were assigned into the experimental group and the rest (n = 9) to a control group. The experimental group received group counseling for five weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The revised version of the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R) was used to capture pre-test and post-test excessive use in the two groups. The experimental group was also subjected to a follow-up test and self-reported Internet addiction scores six months after the end of group counseling. Results showed that after the five-week solution-focused group counseling, the scores of four dimensions of the CIAS-R in the experimental group had CIAS-R decreased, and the reduction trend of the total score of CIAS-R was similar across all subjects in this group. The treatment effect was larger than the placebo reduction in the control group in two dimensions: compulsive and withdrawal (Sym-C & Sym-W) and tolerance (Sym-T) symptoms. Qualitative research confirmed the conclusions from the quantitative data, showing that the experimental group reduced its Internet addiction symptoms. Overall, the findings suggested that solution-focused group counseling had positive intervention effects on Internet addiction.

The Relationship Between Adolescents' Stress and Internet Addiction: A Mediated-Moderation Model.

This cross-sectional study explored the impact of stress, social anxiety, and social class on Internet addiction among adolescents. The subjects—1,634 middle school students—were investigated using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) Chinese Short Form, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), and the Questionnaire of Family Social-economic Status. The results show that 12% of the adolescents investigated showed signs of Internet addiction. With the increase of grade, the tendency of Internet addiction and the number of addicts gradually increased. It also showed that Internet addiction is positively correlated with stress and social anxiety and negatively correlated with social class. Social anxiety partially mediates the impact of stress on Internet addiction and social class indirectly influences Internet addiction by moderating the relationship between stress and social anxiety. In conclusion, there is a mediated-moderation effect between stress and adolescent Internet addiction This means that adolescents from different social classes have different types of anxiety when they feel the stress, which influences their choices concerning internet use.

Parent-children relationship and internet addiction of adolescents: The mediating role of self-concept

The present study aimed to explore the association between parent-children relationship and internet addiction with the mediating effect of self-concept among Chinese adolescents. The Chinese Parent-Children Relationship Diagnostic Test, the Chinese revised edition of Tennessee Self-concept Scale, and the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale were administered to 300 junior and high school students aged 13–18 years (in grades 7–12). Results indicated that parent-children relationship was positively related to self-concept and was negatively related to internet addiction, while self-concept was negatively related to internet addiction among adolescents. Moreover, the association between parent-children relationship and internet addiction was partially mediated by self-concept. Findings of the present study suggested that parent-children relationship exerted not only direct effect but also indirect effect on internet addiction through self-concept. Limitations of the study are considered and implications of the findings for reducing adolescents’ internet addiction are discussed.

The relationship between coping style and Internet addiction among mainland Chinese students: A meta-analysis

The matter of whether different coping styles are correlated with increased Internet addiction or not remains a topic of debate. Most researchers have argued that Internet addiction is linked to low positive coping and high negative coping; however, others have rejected this opinion. Consequently, this meta-analysis examined the link between coping style and Internet addiction to address this controversy. Seventy-seven studies comprising 46,025 Chinese adolescent students were analyzed. The results suggested a medium negative correlation between positive coping and Internet addiction and a medium positive correlation between negative coping and Internet addiction. Furthermore, coping style measures, Internet addiction, region, and gender moderated these links. The link between negative coping and Internet addiction was largest when positive coping was measured with the Coping Style Questionnaire (CSQ), smaller when using the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and smallest when using other measures. The negative correlation between positive coping and Internet addiction was largest when Internet addiction was measured with the Internet Addiction Test, smaller when using revised Chinese Internet Addiction Scale, and smallest when using other measures. For both positive and negative coping and Internet addiction, the correlations were largest in Eastern China, smaller in Central China, and smallest in Western China.

Influence of internet addiction on executive function and learning attention in Taiwanese school-aged children

This study aims to evaluate the executive function and learning attention in children with internet addiction (IA). Children aged 10-12 were screened by Chinese Internet Addiction Scale to compose the IA group and internet nonaddiction group. Their executive functions were evaluated by Stroop color and word test, Wisconsin card sorting test, and Wechsler digit span test. Learning attention was evaluated by Chinese concentration questionnaire. Executive function and learning attention were lower in the IA group than in the internet nonaddiction group. Executive function and learning attention are compromised by IA in children. Early interventions into the IA should be planned to maintain the normal development of executive function and learning attention in childhood.

Factors Related to Self-Reported Attention Deficit Among Incoming University Students

Objective: This study was designed to explore physical, social/behavioral, and mental health factors among incoming university students with elevated self-reported ADHD symptoms. Method: A total of 5,240 incoming university students were recruited. The test battery included the ADHD Self-Report Scale, the Measurement of Support Functions, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale–Revision, Quality of Life assessment, the Brief Symptoms Rating Scale, and the 10-item Social Desirability Scale. Results: ADHD symptoms were elevated in 8.6% of the sample. Only individuals with a lower social desirability score, however, were recruited for further analysis. Significant influential factors for higher self-reported levels for ADHD symptoms included greater suicidal ideation and emotional disturbance, as well as a higher Internet addiction tendency, lower levels of social support, and a greater amount of exercise. Conclusion: Given the elevated prevalence of self-reported ADHD symptoms among this sample of university students, screening for these kinds of problems to detect early challenges before students fail in college as well as identify youth with undiagnosed ADHD should be considered.

The health belief model and number of peers with internet addiction as inter-related factors of Internet addiction among secondary school students in Hong Kong.

BackgroundStudents are vulnerable to Internet addiction (IA). Influences of cognitions based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and perceived number of peers with IA (PNPIA) affecting students’ IA, and mediating effects involved, have not been investigated.MethodsThis cross-sectional study surveyed 9518 Hong Kong Chinese secondary school students in the school setting.ResultsIn this self-reported study, the majority (82.6 %) reported that they had peers with IA. Based on the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (cut-off =63/64), the prevalence of IA was 16.0 % (males: 17.6 %; females: 14.0 %). Among the non-IA cases, 7.6 % (males: 8.7 %; females: 6.3 %) perceived a chance of developing IA in the next 12 months. Concurring with the HBM, adjusted logistic analysis showed that the Perceived Social Benefits of Internet Use Scale (males: Adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 1.19; females: ORa = 1.23), Perceived Barriers for Reducing Internet Use Scale (males: ORa = 1.26; females: ORa = 1.36), and Perceived Self-efficacy for Reducing Internet Use Scale (males: ORa = 0.66; females: ORa = 0.56) were significantly associated with IA. Similarly, PNPIA was significantly associated with IA (‘quite a number’: males: ORa = 2.85; females: ORa = 4.35; ‘a large number’: males: ORa = 3.90; females: ORa = 9.09). Controlling for these three constructs, PNPIA remained significant but the strength of association diminished (‘quite a number’: males: multivariate odds ratio (ORm) = 2.07; females: ORm = 2.44; ‘a large number’: males: ORm = 2.39; females: ORm = 3.56). Hence, the association between PNPIA and IA was partially mediated (explained) by the three HBM constructs. Interventions preventing IA should change these constructs.ConclusionsIn sum, prevalence of IA was relatively high and was associated with some HBM constructs and PNPIA, and PNPIA also partially mediated associations between HBM constructs and IA. Huge challenges are expected, as social relationships and an imbalance of cost-benefit for reducing Internet use are involved. Perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of IA were relatively low and the direction of their associations with IA did not concur with the HBM. Group cognitive-behavioral interventions involving peers with IA or peers recovered from IA are potentially useful to modify the HBM constructs and should be tested for efficacy.

Relationship of treatment outcome with monoamine neurotransmitter content in peripheral blood in patients with internet addiction disorder

Objective To investigate the changes of the concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin(5-HT), dopamine(DA), norepinephrine(NE)in peripheral blood in patients with internet addiction disorder (IAD) between before and after the treatment, and to analyze the correlation with treatment effect. Methods 35 cases with IAD(IAD group)before and after treatment and 35 healthy volunteers matched with sex,age and education(control group)were detected the concentration of 5- HT in peripheral platelets by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and DA and NE in plasma by enzyme-linked immuno- sorbent assay(ELISA), respectively. The Chinese Internet Addiction Scale(CIAS), Family Assessment Device(FAD), HAMD, HAMA were used to determine the internet addiction severity of two groups and the curative efficacy of IAD group. To compare the concentrations of 5- HT,DA,NE between before and after treatment in IAD group, and compared with the control group, and the correlation analysis was performed between it and the treatment effect(scale). Results (1) Before treatment, the concentration of 5- HT in IAD group(427.82±136.28)ng/L was significantly lower than in the control group(522.63±123.25)ng/L(t= 3.052,P 0.05).(3) The negative correlation was found between the concentration of 5- HT and the scores of scales(CIAS,FAD,HAMa+ d)(r=- 0.653,- 0.547,- 0.409,all P< 0.05),while DA had significantly positive correlation with the scores(r= 0.406, 0.375,0.423,all P< 0.05),NE was positively correlated with the scores(r= 0.505,0.338,0.545,all P< 0.05). Conclusion The concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters in the peripheral blood in patients with IAD may be related to the efficacy. The concentration of 5- HT had positive correlation with the efficacy, DA,NE had negative correlation with it. Key words: Behavior, Addictive; Computer Communication Networks; Monoamine neurotransmitter; 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT); Dopamine(DA); Norepinephrine(NE); Treatment Outcome

Effects of Internet Addiction on Heart Rate Variability in School-Aged Children

The Internet has been gaining worldwide popularity in recent years, but a loss of control over Internet use might lead to negative impacts on our daily lives. This study explored the effects of Internet addiction on autonomic nervous system function through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. This was a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 240 school-aged children who completed the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires. Spectral analysis was used to measure HRV. Independent t test was used to compare differences in characteristics and HRV between groups. A 2-way analysis of variance was used to examine group differences in HRV. Internet addicts had significantly lower high frequency (HF) percentage, logarithmically transformed HF, and logarithmically transformed total power and significantly higher low frequency percentage than did nonaddicts. Internet addicts who had insomnia had higher low frequency percentage and lower HF percentage, logarithmically transformed HF, and logarithmically transformed total power compared with nonaddicts who did not have insomnia. Internet addiction is associated with higher sympathetic activity and lower parasympathetic activity. The autonomic dysregulation associated with Internet addiction might partly result from insomnia, but the mechanism still needs to be further studied.

Development and validation of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI).

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop a self-administered scale based on the special features of smartphone. The reliability and validity of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) was demonstrated.MethodsA total of 283 participants were recruited from Dec. 2012 to Jul. 2013 to complete a set of questionnaires, including a 26-item SPAI modified from the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and phantom vibration and ringing syndrome questionnaire. There were 260 males and 23 females, with ages 22.9±2.0 years. Exploratory factor analysis, internal-consistency test, test-retest, and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the reliability and validity of the SPAI. Correlations between each subscale and phantom vibration and ringing were also explored.ResultsExploratory factor analysis yielded four factors: compulsive behavior, functional impairment, withdrawal and tolerance. Test–retest reliabilities (intraclass correlations = 0.74–0.91) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.94) were all satisfactory. The four subscales had moderate to high correlations (0.56–0.78), but had no or very low correlation to phantom vibration/ringing syndrome.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that the SPAI is a valid and reliable, self-administered screening tool to investigate smartphone addiction. Phantom vibration and ringing might be independent entities of smartphone addiction.

The effects of insomnia and internet addiction on depression in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents: an exploratory cross-sectional analysis

The negative association of insomnia and internet addiction with mental health is widely documented in the literature, yet little is known about their inter-relationships. The primary aim of this study was to examine the inter-relationships between insomnia, internet addiction and depression. A total of 719 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong participated in this school-based cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), the 12-item version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and questions assessing internet use pattern and sociodemographic characteristics. The classification of internet addiction and insomnia was based on the CIAS cutoff global score >63 and PSQI cutoff global score >5, respectively. Multiple regression analyses tested the effects of insomnia and internet addiction on depression. Among students with internet addiction (17.2%), 51.7% were also identified as insomniacs. Internet addicts scored significantly poorer on all PSQI components, except sleep duration, than their non-addicted counterparts. After adjustment for gender and internet use time, both internet addiction (β=0.05; Sobel test Z=6.50, P<0.001) and insomnia (β=0.59; Sobel test Z=4.49, P<0.001) demonstrated a significant association with depression. Overall, there is high comorbidity between internet addiction and insomnia. Both insomnia and internet addiction emerged as significant explanatory factors, but they exerted differential effects on depression. Future research should be directed at determining the causal relationship between internet addiction and insomnia, and its underlying mechanism with depression.

A study on the relationships between family conditions and internet addiction of medical college students with limb disabled

Objective To explore the relationship between the family conditions and internet addiction of medical college students with limb disabled. Methods 400 medical college students were investigated by the University Student Going-online Investigation table, EMBU and Chinese Internet Addiction Scale. Results There was significant correlation between parental occupations and internet addiction total score of medical college students with limb disabled( r= 0.195, P < 0.01 ; r = 0.163, P < 0.05 ). There was significant correlation and prediction between negative parental rearing patterns such as the parents' punishment-severity and rejection-denying and dimensions of interpersonal relations, health, forced going-online behaviors, time management( P < 0.05, P< 0.01 ), but there was no significant correlation and prediction between parents' warmth-comprehension and all dimensions. Conclusion Family conditions play a important role in influencing internet addiction of medical college students with limb disabled. Key words: Limb disabled; Medical college students; Family conditions; lnternet addiction

Internet function and Internet addictive behavior

Abstract Ju [Research on personal characteristics, the behavior of using Internet and Internet addiction for Taiwanese college study. Master thesis. Taiwan, 2000] found the Internet function was related to the severity of Internet addiction, and this study explored the relationship between the Internet function and the Internet addictive behavior. Seventy-six college students were included in this study and had completed the Internet use function questionnaire (social function, informational function, leisure function and the virtual emotional function) and the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (compulsive use, withdrawal, tolerance, time management problem and interpersonal and health problems). The study revealed not only the relationship between the social function and the index of the Internet dependence (compulsive use, withdrawal, tolerance and the problems in the interpersonal relationship and health), but also the correlation between the information function and the index of the Internet abuse (the problems in the interpersonal relationship and health). We found the social function played the core role in the Internet addictive behavior and the mechanism needs further discussion.