Daily Internet Research Articles

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP LEVELS OF PRE-SERVICE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR DEMOCRATIC VALUES

This study seeks to investigate the relationship between digital citizenship levels of pre-service primary school teachers and their democratic values. The research was designed in descriptive survey model. The research was conducted with the participation of 346 pre-service primary school teachers (juniors and seniors) from Adnan Menderes University and Mugla Sitki Kocman University. “Digital Citizenship Scale” developed by Isman and Gungoren (2014) and “Democratic Values Scale” developed by Cermik (2013) were used as the data collection tools. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and t-test while the unrelated samples were analyzed through one-way analysis of variance. Also, the relationship between the variables was analyzed by using correlation analysis. The results of the analyses reveal that there is a statistically insignificant difference among the pre-service primary school teachers’ digital citizenship scores in terms of the variables of gender and class. As for the democratic values scores, it is observed that there is a statistically significant difference among the pre-service primary school teachers’ scores in terms of gender, having access to the Internet connection, the duration of the Internet use experience, and the duration of daily Internet use. There is also a statistically significant difference among the digital citizenship scores in terms of having the Internet connection, the duration of the Internet use experience, the duration of daily Internet use, and perceived level of the Internet using skills. Democratic values scores differ significantly in terms of class and perceived level of the Internet using skills. When the scores taken from the digital citizenship and democratic values scales are analyzed, it is observed that there is a weak positive correlation between these two variables. Article visualizations:

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF THE PATTERNS OF MOBILE INTERNET USE ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ NOMOPHOBIA LEVELS

The purpose of this study is to examine the supposed effects of the duration of the mobile internet ownership in terms of years, the duration of daily mobile internet use and monthly mobile internet quota variables on the nomophobia levels of University students. The study group consists of a total of 645 students, of whom are 429 female and 216 male, who are studying in different departments and come from different age groups. The Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q) was used to determine the effect of variables on the nomophobia of university students. One-way ANOVA, simple and multiple regression analysis technique were used in the analysis of the data. Findings of the study showed that there was no significant difference between the duration of smartphone ownership and the level of nomophobia among college students, whereas the level of nomophobia was higher among the students who check the smartphone more frequently than during the day. Furthermore, according to the results of multiple regression analysis, variables such as duration of mobile internet ownership in terms of years, duration of daily mobile internet use and GSM mobile internet quota are predictive of the nomophobia prevalence of university students. Among these three variables, it is determined that the most predictive level of nomophobia is the daily mobile internet use. Article visualizations:

Pathological Internet use, cyberbullying and mobile phone use in adolescence: a school-based study in Greece.

Purpose This study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and cyberbullying and examined profiles of adolescents with increased risk to develop pathological behaviors. Methods In this cross-sectional, school-based study, 8053 students of 30 middle and 21 high schools (12-18 years old) were invited to participate, based on a multistage stratified random sampling technique. The Internet aiddiction test (IAT) was used along with information on socio-demographics, Internet activities and cyberbullying experience. Results Five thousand five hundred and ninety students participated (response rate 69.4%). Pathological Internet use (IAT ≥50) was found in 526 (10.1%), while 403 (7.3%) experienced cyberbullying as victims and 367 (6.6%) as perpetrators during the last year. In multivariable models, the odds of IA increased with online hours on mobile phones and Internet use during weekends, Internet café visits, chatrooms usage and engagement in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying victims were more likely to be older, female, Facebook and chatrooms users, while perpetrators were more likely to be male, older Internet users and fans of pornographic sites. A perpetrator was significantly more likely to have also been a victim [odds ratio (OR) = 5.51, confidence interval (CI): 3.92-7.74]. Hours of daily Internet use on a mobile phone was independently associated with IA and cyberbullying (OR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.30, 1.53 and OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01, 1.21, respectively. Conclusions Cyberbullying is associated with IA and the hours spent online on a mobile phone affected both conditions. The increasing Internet access through mobile phones or other devices should be accompanied by the appropriate education of both parents and adolescents on safe Internet use.

Gender-Specific Determinants and Patterns of Online Health Information Seeking: Results From a Representative German Health Survey.

BackgroundOnline health information-seeking behavior (OHISB) is currently a widespread and common behavior that has been described as an important prerequisite of empowerment and health literacy. Although demographic factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), age, and gender have been identified as important determinants of OHISB, research is limited regarding the gender-specific motivational determinants of OHISB and differences between women and men in the use of online resources for health information purposes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify gender-specific determinants and patterns of OHISB by analyzing data from a representative German sample of adults (N=1728) with special attention to access and frequency of use as well as topics and sources of OHISB.MethodsWe employed a 2-step analysis, that is, after exploring differences between users and nonusers of online health information using logistic regression models, we highlighted gender-specific determinants of the frequency of OHISB by applying zero-truncated negative binomial models.ResultsAge (odds ratio, OR for females=0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99) and degree of satisfaction with one’s general practitioner (GP) (OR for males=0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.92) were gender-specific determinants of access to OHISB. Regarding the frequency of OHISB, daily Internet use (incidence rate ratio, IRR=1.67, 95% CI 1.19-2.33) and a strong interest in health topics (IRR=1.45, 95% CI 1.19-1.77) were revealed to be more important predictors than SES (IRR for high SES=1.25, 95% CI 0.91-1.73).ConclusionsUsers indicate that the Internet seems to be capable of providing a valuable source of informational support and patient empowerment. Increasing the potential value of the Internet as a source for health literacy and patient empowerment requires need-oriented and gender-specific health communication efforts, media, and information strategies.

Investigating Students’ Perspectives of Foreign Language Distance Education Curriculum According to Some Variables

This study was carried out to investigate the students’ satisfaction levels of foreign language distance education curriculum in a state university according to some variables. In the study, it was aimed to answer these questions: “What are the students’ opinions about the distance education curriculum of Foreign Language I course and do their opinions differ according to some variables?” Context, Input, Process and Production (CIPP) evaluation model was used as a curriculum evaluation framework and descriptive survey model, one of the quantitative research models, was used in this study. Sample of the study is composed of 715 freshman students who are enrolled in the faculties and colleges of university and took the Foreign Language I course in 2015-2016 academic year. 5-point likert scale was developed by the researchers to collect data. Independent samples t-test and one-way Anova was used to analyze the collected data with the help of SPSS 20. As a result of the study, it was found out that the students’ responses are gathered around the "I neither agree nor disagree" option. The component which has the highest satisfaction level is process component of curriculum and product component has the least satisfaction level. Opinions of the students about curriculum don’t differ significantly according to their gender and age. However, their opinions differ significantly according to their education type, daily internet connection hours and final grades. Also the students, who have personal computer and have attended another distance education, have more positive opinions than the students who don’t have computer and any distance education experience.

Political Discussion, Political News, and Internet Use: Factors of Media Trust in South Korea

This study examines political and communicative factors predicting trust in mainstream newspapers and television by analyzing a set of survey data collected in South Korea. The results show that supporters of the opposition party are less likely to trust the mainstream news media than supporters of the ruling party. Daily Internet use negatively predicted trust in media only for nonpartisans. However, for supporters of the opposition party, daily Internet use moderated the interaction effect between political discussion and exposure to political news on trust in media.

The Mediating Effects of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotional Clarity in the Relationship between Daily Stress and Internet Addiction in University Students

The Mediating Effects of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotional Clarity in the Relationship between Daily Stress and Internet Addiction in University Students

The correlation of depression with Internet use and body image in Korean adolescents.

PurposeTo examine the correlation of depression with Internet use and body image perception, and to analyze the risk factors of depression in a total of 920 students in Seoul, Korea.MethodsStudents were recruited by contacting school principals and teachers and were encouraged to fill out a self-report questionnaire designed specifically for this study in July of 2008.ResultsFemale participants had an increased risk for depression than did male participants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.790; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.330–2.410, P<0.001). Older students were more susceptible to depression (aOR, 1.246; 95% CI, 1.115–1.392, P<0.001). Longer daily Internet use and more frequent Internet use were analyzed as risk factors for depression. No physical activity was a risk factor for depression (aOR, 0.392; 95% CI, 1.264–4.526, P=0.014). Dissatisfaction with one's body image increased the risk for depression (aOR, 1.373; 95% CI, 1.169–1.613; P<0.001). Obesity and perception of body image showed no significant relationship with increased risk for depression.ConclusionPrevalence of depression was 13.8% in adolescents in Seoul, Korea, in July 2008. Female sex, age, daily Internet use duration, weekly Internet use frequency, physical activity, and dissatisfaction with one's body image independently increased risk of depression.

Network-based detection of Android malicious apps

Users leverage mobile devices for their daily Internet needs by running various mobile applications (apps) such as social networking, e-mailing, news-reading, and video/audio streaming. Mobile device have become major targets for malicious apps due to their heavy network activity and is a research challenge in the current era. The majority of the research reported in the literature is focused on host-based systems rather than the network-based; unable to detect malicious activities occurring on mobile device through the Internet. This paper presents a detection app model for classification of apps. We investigate the accuracy of various machine learning models, in the context of known and unknown apps, benign and normal apps, with or without encrypted message-based app, and operating system version independence of classification. The best resulted machine learning(ML)-based model is embedded into the detection app for efficient and effective detection. We collect a dataset of network activities of 18 different malware families-based apps and 14 genuine apps and use it to develop ML-based detectors. We show that, it is possible to detect malicious app using network traces with the traditional ML techniques, and results revealed the accuracy (95---99.9 %) in detection of apps in different scenarios. The model proposed is proved efficient and suitable for mobile devices. Due to the widespread penetration of Android OS into the market, it has become the main target for the attackers. Hence, the proposed system is deployed on Android environment.

The Potential Impact of Internet and Mobile Use on Headache and Other Somatic Symptoms in Adolescence. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether migraine or tension-type headaches are associated with abuse of the internet and/or mobile phones and to explore whether headache and the abuse of the two technologies are associated with sleep disturbances and other self-reported somatic symptoms. In the last several years, estimates indicate the increasing pervasiveness of the internet and other technologies in the lives of young people, highlighting the impact on well-being. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2013 and June 2014. The initial sample was composed of 1004 Italian students (aged 10-16 years) recruited within public middle schools not randomly selected in central Italy. The final convenience sample consisted of 841 students (Males = 51.1%; Females = 48.9%) who were included in the analysis. Data were collected using self-reported measures. Headache was reported by 28.0% of the total sample. A significant relationship was determined with gender (χ(2) (1) = 7.78, P < .01), with female students being overrepresented in the headache group. Approximately 39.6% of subjects were non-abusers of both technologies, internet and mobile. Mobile only abusers were approximately 26.0% of the study population; internet only abusers were approximately 14.9%; and abusers of both media were 19.5%. No significant relationship was found between students with and without headache with respect to the abuse of internet and mobile phone categories (headache was, respectively, the 26% in no abusers, the 30% in internet abusers, the 29% in mobile abusers, and the 29% in internet and mobile abusers, P = .86). Additionally, also by excluding the no headache group, the relationship between the two groups of headache (migraine and tension type headache) and the abuse of media (tension type headache was the 31% in no abusers, the 43% in internet abusers, the 49% in mobile abusers, and the 29% in internet and mobile abusers) is not statistically significant (P = .06). No significant relationship emerged between headache and the internet and mobile phone addiction groups (headache was the 28% in no addiction group, the 35% in mobile addiction group, the 25% of internet addiction group, and the 28% in mobile and internet addiction group, P = .57) as well as no significant relationship was found when only the different headache types were considered (tension type headache was the 39% in no addiction group, the 40% in mobile addiction group, the 32% in internet addiction group, and the 31% in mobile and internet addiction group, P = .71). Daily internet users reported higher median scores for somatic symptoms than the occasional internet users in the no-headache group (Kruskal-Wallis χ(2) (1) = 5.44, P = .02) and in the migraine group (Kruskal-Wallis χ(2) (1) = 6.54, P = .01). Results highlighted the potential impact of excessive internet and mobile use, which ranges from different types of headache to other somatic symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine if there is a need for promoting preventive health interventions, especially in school setting.

English

The purpose of the present research is to define global citizenship levels of pre-service physical education teachers and investigate whether their global citizenship levels vary by various variables. A total of 485 pre-service teachers, studying at 3rd and 4th grades of undergraduate programs of physical education teaching at thirteen different universities participated in the present research. The research is a descriptive study in survey model. In order to collect data, Global Citizenship Attitude Scale, developed by Ažahin and Cermik was utilized. Obtained data were analysed through descriptive statistics (Mean, standard deviation), t-test, ANOVA test, and finally Tukey test for multiple comparisons. According to the findings obtained in the present research, global citizenship of pre-service physical education teachers is medium level and can be developed; additionally global citizenship level does not vary by gender and YGS (The Transition to Higher Education Examination) scores; while increase in total family income, daily Internet use and foreign language proficiency increased global citizenship level, but not at a statistically significant level. An interesting finding of the present research is that, the university, the number of foreign friends, and having athlete licence variables are effective on global citizenship level. Key words: Physical education, pre-service teacher, global citizenship attitude.

Age and Context Sensitivity Associated with Reduced Success in Finding Health Information Online

A Review of:&#x0D; Agree, E. M., King, A. C., Castro, C. M., Wiley, A., &amp; Borzekowski, D. L. G. (2015). “It’s got to be on this page”: Age and cognitive style in a study of online health information seeking. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(3), e79. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3352 &#x0D; &#x0D; Objective – To determine the extent to which age and cognitive style influence an individual’s ability to successfully locate health information online.&#x0D; &#x0D; Design – Quantitative study employing scales and regression analysis.&#x0D; &#x0D; Setting – A school of public health and a school of medicine at two universities in the United States of America.&#x0D; &#x0D; Subjects – 346 men and women 35 years or older.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods – Participants for the Online Health Study (OHS) were recruited from the community at both study sites using stratified sampling and screened with a web-based tool to ensure they had the necessary level of digital literacy to complete the study tasks. Once enrolled, participants completed the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) to measure their health literacy and the Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) to determine their cognitive style (labelled by researchers as context sensitive or context independent). Participants were asked to search online for answers to six specific questions on heart-healthy diets, flu vaccinations, alternative medicine and memory, genetic testing, assistive medical technology, and skin cancer, with 15 minutes of search time allowed for each question. Participants reported their answers after each search, which were later assigned scores for accuracy and for specificity. When combined, these two scores were used as a measure of success. Researchers used STATA 11 statistical software to run logistic regression, ordinal logistic regression, and generalized linear models on the data in order to predict which variables were associated with success on the search tasks.&#x0D; &#x0D; Main Results – Only 323 of the 346 participants completed all study tasks, and their data formed the basis of the analysis. On average, participants correctly answered 4.1 out of 6 questions. Participants provided the most accurate and successful answers for the question on heart-healthy foods, and the least accurate answers on the question about seasonal flu shots. They were the least successful in answering the question about herbal supplements for memory. Across all models, older participants were less likely to be successful in locating the answers to the questions than younger participants, even controlling for the other variables measured in the study. In particular, older participants had the most difficulty with the question on medical technology, which required the use of mapping. Overall, the models suggest that higher levels of education, greater daily Internet use, and higher health literacy were associated with greater success on the search tasks, the extent to which varied from question to question. The exception in the case of education was the question relating to herbal supplements and memory, as participants with higher levels of education were more likely to score poorly in their responses. Participants whose cognitive style was found to be context sensitive were less likely to find the information needed in their online searches than those who were context independent, particularly on the questions relating to a heart-healthy diet, skin cancer, and medical technology.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion – The study suggests that age, cognitive style, level of health literacy, daily Internet use, and prior education are all important variables in determining whether an individual can successfully take advantage of the increasing amount of health information available on the Internet. Specific approaches to web design could be used to improve the success rate of those who are context sensitive, and greater support and direction to reputable online health sources from medical and information professionals could assist those who are less health literate.

Problematic Internet Use among Al-Azhar University Students in Cairo

Background: the Internet has become an important tool for social interaction, information, and entertainment. Studies have shown that the percentage of students using the Internet has increased dramatically. However, as the Internet has moved into homes, schools, Internet cafes, and businesses, there has been a rapidly growing public awareness of the potential adverse effects arising from excessive, maladaptive or addictive Internet usage, which are a condition also known by terms such as problematic Internet use (PIU), Internet dependence and pathological Internet use. Aim of the study: 1- To determine the general characteristics of Internet users among Al-Azhar under graduate university students in Cairo. 2- To explore the problematic Internet use (PIU) among under graduate university students based on the Internet activities . 3- To investigate the difference between males and females regarding PIU. Materials and methods: a cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 600 undergraduate university students including both scientific and literary collages of Al-Azhar Universities for girls and boys in Cairo. This sample was chosen randomly through on line questionnaire. All participants voluntarily participated in the present study to identify the extent of problematic Internet use among university students. On line self-administered questionnaire that designed to include different items. Results: female students had significantly lower PIU levels on alldimensions (i.e., social comfort, loneliness/depression, diminished impulse control anddistraction) than those of males. Furthermore, the results reveal that the students who use internet frequently (3-6 hours/day) and those who use it for entertainment (e.g., game), chat, news (policy or sports news) and social networking purposes have significantly higher PIU levels on all dimensions than the students who use it for less than 3 hours/day or for scientific purposes. Moreover, multiple regression analyses reveal that gender and time spent online daily are significant predictors of PIU and its all dimension except for diminished impulse control only time spent online daily is the predictor. Conclusion: males are more at risk than females in terms of problematic Internet use. The effect of duration of daily internet use on cognitions about PIU was found to be significant in all analyses. Recommendation: the students should be informed about the association between long use of internet /day and PIU to protect them from negative consequences PIU.

Prevalence and correlates of the perpetration of cyberbullying among in-school adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Cyberharassment/cyberbullying is a global problem that has been inadequately investigated in developing countries. In this paper, we present findings on the prevalence and predictors of perpetration of cyberbullying among in-school adolescents in Oyo state, Nigeria. A total of 653 students were selected via multi-stage sampling. Information on history of perpetrating harassment via an electronic medium in the 3-month period preceding the survey was obtained. Respondents' mean age was 14.2±2.2 years and 51.3% were females. All respondents had personal mobile phones and about half had Internet access. About 40% accessed the Internet every day while about 48% accessed it at least once to several times a week and <5% accessed it about once every 2 weeks. One hundred and fifty-six (23.9%) had harassed someone electronically, 260 (39.8%) had been victimized, and 137 (21.0%) were both victims and perpetrators. Common modes of harassment were via phone calls 99 (63.5%), chat rooms 70 (44.9%), and text messages 60 (38.5%). Students who had been victims of cyberbullying (OR=21.76, 95% CI=12.64-37.47) and those with daily Internet access (OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.28-4.19) had significantly higher Oods of being perpetrators. About a quarter of students were perpetrators of cyberbullying, and the correlates of perpetration were history of cyber victimization and daily Internet access. Intervention programs must be instituted for victims as well as frequent users of the Internet to curb the problem in the study area.

Escherichia coli O157:H7--Discerning Facts from Fiction: An Integrated Research and Extension Project for Multiple Audiences.

The O157:H7 (EcO157) epidemiology of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in cattle is complex, and myths about pre-harvest control are perpetuated. The objectives of this project were to identify perpetuated misinformation and inform four audiences about evidence-based risks and pre-harvest control of EcO157 by addressing: (i) EcO157 epidemiology and pre-harvest control; (ii) how food safety policy is created; and (iii) how to present accurate information about EcO157. An environmental scan using a daily Internet search helped identify themes for education. A literature review of pre-harvest control measures contributed to the development of educational materials (fact sheets, website, web presentations and conferences). Conference 1 was a webinar with 315 registrants, 10 countries including 41 US states and four Canadian provinces. Most participants felt confident in using their new knowledge, more than half felt confident enough to answer EcO157 questions from the public and many would recommend the recorded version of the webinar to colleagues. Conference 2 was live in the Washington, DC, area with most participants employed by the US government. All agreed that they better understood pre-harvest control, how food safety policy was made, and were confident they could create an effective message about STEC pre-harvest control. Videos were posted and received 348 Internet visitors within 2months. Conference 3 was a webinar with a live audience and Twitter feeds, targeting people who give nutrition advice. Almost all ranked the programme good to excellent and relevant to their work. About 25% indicated that they would share: 'grass-fed beef is not safer than grain-fed', 25% would share information on effectiveness of cattle vaccines, and 14% would share information on message mapping. Across all conferences, major changes in knowledge included the following: there is no additional risk of EcO157 shedding from grain-fed versus grass-fed cattle, pre-harvest vaccination is efficacious, and production systems (pasture versus confinement) do not affect EcO157 shedding rates.

Examining Information in Web Environment Searching and Commitment Strategies of University Students According to Demographic Variables

Millions of people all over the world use the internet so as to communicate or search a topic to get information today. There are several sources about any topic on the internet. Even though there are some misleading ones, there are perfect ones, as well. Therefore, what is important about this issue is to determine whether this electronically acquired information is reliable, true and of high quality or not. If it is, to what extent it is reliable? The purpose of this research is to determine whether information searching and commitment strategies of university students vary according to demographic variables. Quantity method was used in the research, and relational scanning model was preferred among all scanning models. 370 students at Education Faculty, Science and Literature faculty and Engineering faculty of Kocaeli University were included in this research. The questionnaire of information searching and commitment strategies on the internet developed by Wu and Tsai (2005) was used in the research. At the end of the research, it was observed that university students use developed strategies more than others. The highest grade about the strategies of information searching and commitment goes to the statement: ‘ I can combine the information that I collect from various web sites, whenever I need to get information.’ It can be expressed that university students have the necessary ability to compare the information from different web sites and combine it so as to reach the accurate and reliable information. Anova was used to determine whether the strategies of searching and commitment of information vary according to the frequency of daily internet use. No significant difference was observed, though.

Internet use: A Study of Preservice Education Students in Lesotho and Canada

How much do students take advantage of the wealth of information the Internet provides? In a cross-cultural study we discovered that students in teacher education faculties in Canada and Lesotho have similar patterns of Internet use but they do not use the Internet to explore the broader world and learn about alternative ways of thinking. Outside of school or work, their use of the worldwide Internet is extremely limited. This study surveyed over 200 pre-service teachers from Lesotho and Canada on their Internet use and found that the vast majority of them stay within their social circles and comfort zones. This implies that our prospective teachers are learning very little about diverse points of view about the world or even about local issues. The implication is that colleges of education need to help their students move beyond their daily Internet routines to find out more about alternative points of view.

The Effects of Demographics, Technology Accessibility, and Unwillingness to Communicate in Predicting Internet Gratifications and Heavy Internet Use Among Adolescents

Despite the fact that research examining Internet gratifications is over two decades old, it has still failed to provide conceptual links depicting the relationships among Internet gratification, Internet users’ characteristics, and heavy Internet use. To address these gaps, a survey-based study was conducted with a total of 1,914 adolescent Internet users (aged 12–18 years). The study results indicate that heavy Internet use is likely to be displayed by older male adolescents with more Internet use experience. In comparison, adolescents exhibiting higher reward seeking and improved academic performance are not likely to also exhibit heavy Internet use. Furthermore, adolescents seeking higher connecting gratification are likely to exhibit heavy Internet use, but an increase in their information-seeking gratification is associated with a reduction in their Internet use. In terms of predicting Internet gratifications, it was found that older female adolescents with higher academic performance, higher reward seeking, and lower daily Internet use tend to seek higher content gratification. Similarly, adolescents exhibiting higher approach avoidance and reward seeking tend to seek higher social and content gratifications. The study concludes with the theoretical and practical implications for various stakeholders, including Internet researchers and practitioners, educational researchers, and technology designers and developers.

Exploring depression and problematic internet use among college females: A multisite study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess associations between depression and problematic internet use (PIU) among female college students, and determine whether Internet use time moderates this relationship. MethodThis cross-sectional survey included 265 female college students from four U.S. universities. Students completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) and self-reported daily Internet use. Analyses included multivariate analysis of variance and Poisson regression. ResultsParticipants reported mean age of 20.2years (SD=1.7) and were 84.9% Caucasian. The mean PHQ-9 score was 5.4 (SD=4.6); the mean PRIUSS score was 16.4 (SD=11.1). Participants’ risk for PIU increased by 27% with each additional 30min spent online using a computer (RR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.14–1.42, p<.0001). Risk for PIU was significantly increased among those who met criteria for severe depression (RR=8.16 95% CI: 4.27–15.6, p<.0001). The PHQ-9 items describing trouble concentrating, psychomotor dysregulation and suicidal ideation were most strongly associated with PIU risk. ConclusionsThe positive relationship between depression and PIU among female college students supports screening for both conditions, particularly among students reporting particular depression symptoms.

"It's got to be on this page": age and cognitive style in a study of online health information seeking.

BackgroundThe extensive availability of online health information offers the public opportunities to become independently informed about their care, but what affects the successful retrieval and understanding of accurate and detailed information? We have limited knowledge about the ways individuals use the Internet and the personal characteristics that affect online health literacy.ObjectiveThis study examined the extent to which age and cognitive style predicted success in searching for online health information, controlling for differences in education, daily Internet use, and general health literacy.MethodsThe Online Health Study (OHS) was conducted at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Stanford University School of Medicine from April 2009 to June 2010. The OHS was designed to explore the factors associated with success in obtaining health information across different age groups. A total of 346 men and women aged 35 years and older of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds participated in the study. Participants were evaluated for success in searching online for answers to health-related tasks/questions on nutrition, cancer, alternative medicine, vaccinations, medical equipment, and genetic testing.ResultsCognitive style, in terms of context sensitivity, was associated with less success in obtaining online health information, with tasks involving visual judgment most affected. In addition, better health literacy was positively associated with overall success in online health seeking, specifically for tasks requiring prior health knowledge. The oldest searchers were disadvantaged even after controlling for education, Internet use, general health literacy, and cognitive style, especially when spatial tasks such as mapping were involved.ConclusionsThe increasing availability of online health information provides opportunities to improve patient education and knowledge, but effective use of these resources depends on online health literacy. Greater support for those who are in the oldest cohorts and for design of interfaces that support users with different cognitive styles may be required in an age of shared medical decision making.