Development Of Internet Addiction Research Articles

Network Analysis of Internet Addiction, Online Social Anxiety, Fear of Missing Out, and Interpersonal Sensitivity among Chinese University Students

Background. Despite the growing prevalence of internet usage among young people, the relationships between internet addiction, online social anxiety, fear of missing out (FoMO), and interpersonal sensitivity remain uncertain, intricate, and multifaceted. To gain insight into the underlying psychological mechanisms, we employed network analysis to explore the interconnections between them. This endeavor may provide fresh opportunities for intervention and treatment. Methods. In this study, 470 participants were assessed at age from 18 to 22 (M=20.18 years, SD=1.861) years. Network analysis was used to examine the connections between symptoms, and statistical measures were applied to assess the stability of the network model. Results. Online social anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity had the strongest associations with other symptoms in the network, with “Evaluation anxiety” having the highest expected influence centrality, followed by “Privacy concern anxiety,” “Need for approval,” “Suspicion,” and “vulnerability.” The FoMO symptom, “Fear of missing information,” had the strongest direct relation to internet addiction. “Evaluation anxiety” and “Fear of missing information” played a key role in bridging internet addiction and interpersonal sensitivity. Additionally, the structure distribution of edge weights had a significant difference between gender. Conclusions. Our findings indicated that FoMO, interpersonal sensitivity, and online social anxiety likely play a significant role in the development and continuation of internet addiction. Interpersonal sensitivity seems to contribute to increased online social anxiety, FoMO, and the development of internet addiction, indicating that targeting these symptoms may help reduce negative online behavior and psychological burden.

Childhood maltreatment and Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model

Although childhood maltreatment has been suggested to play an important role in developing Internet addiction among adolescents, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this association. The present study investigated (a) the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy (MCERS) in the association between childhood maltreatment and Internet addiction, and (b) the moderating role of peer support in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and Internet addiction. A sample of 4163 Chinese adolescents (50.3 % females, Mage = 14.25, SD = 1.53) were recruited. The moderated mediation model showed that MCERS mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and Internet addiction. Furthermore, the mediating process was moderated by peer support. Interestingly, peer support can protect adolescents from being affected by higher levels of MCERS while it displays limited protective effect when adolescents suffered from higher levels of childhood maltreatment. These findings indicate that reducing the MCERS and enhancing peer support can contribute to the alleviation of negative influences of childhood maltreatment on Internet addiction.

Features of bioelectric brain activity of 18–22 years old male students with internet addiction

BACKGROUND: Excessive use of the Internet for entertainment or aimless activities often results in the development of Internet addiction.
 AIM: To study bioelectrical activity of the brain in young men aged 18–22 with Internet addiction using the EEG spectral analysis data. Specifically, the analysis will focus on the full spectrum power and rhythm indices.
 METHODS: The study involved 61 volunteers who were students in their first or second year of full-time education at the University of Tyumen (UTMN). These volunteers were young men with an average age of 19.63±1.27 years and were residents of Tyumen and the Tyumen region. To categorize the participants, the Chen method (CIAS) was used to divide them into two groups: Internet addicts and a control group. A background EEG was recorded using 16 standard leads. A spectral analysis of the EEG was then conducted, focusing on the total power of the spectrum, the power of the spectrum in the alpha range (µV2), and the rhythm index. The groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U-test.
 RESULTS: EEG Type 1 was found in 86% of individuals with addiction. This type exhibited an alpha rhythm structure that was well-organized in both time and space. Additionally, it displayed pronounced spindles. EEG Type 2 was observed in 14% of addicted students. It was characterized by hypersynchronous alpha activity, which was weakly modulated or not modulated into spindles. It also exhibited high Rhythm Index values. In the control group of young men, three types of normal EEG organization were identified. Most of the controls (69%) displayed an organized Type 1 pattern. Eight percent exhibited a hypersynchronous Type 2 pattern. The remaining 23% showed a desynchronous Type 3 pattern, which was characterized by a low representation of the alpha-component. Instead, theta- and beta1-rhythms were noted. When comparing the total power of the spectrum in the main frequency ranges (0.5–35 Hz), higher values were observed in the group of individuals addicted to the Internet, as compared to the control group. Specifically, the left anterior frontal Fp1 (U=210; Z=2.04; p=0.049), right parietal P4 (U=215; Z=2.07; p=0.049), right and left occipital O1 (U=180; Z=2.76; p=0.006), O2 (U=187; Z=2.64; p=0.008), left temporal T3 (U=230; Z=1.92; p=0.050), and left posterior temporal T5 (U=201; Z=2.41; p=0.015) leads exhibited significantly higher values.
 CONCLUSION: The bioelectrical activity patterns of the brains of UTMN male students addicted to the Internet indicate a developed stage of the addictive process. During this stage, there are no significant negative EEG manifestations of Internet addiction. This can be attributed to the adaptive mechanisms that have developed in these individuals because of their lifestyle.

The Role of Parental Acceptance/Rejection in the Development of Internet Addiction among Adolescence

The present study was aimed at investigation parents' acceptance or rejection in the development of internet addiction among young adolescence. It was a co-relational study; survey method was used for data collection. There were two hypotheses in the study. 1. Maternal and paternal rejection would be significant predictors of internet addiction among young adolescence.2. Male and female students would significantly differ on internet addiction. Sample of the study comprised of 844 young adolescence including 389 male students, and 455 female students. Participants of the study was collected from three universities of Jamshoro District. The age range of participants was between 16 to 28 years. For the measurement of variables Parental Rejection and Internet Addiction three valid and reliable tools were administered on the sample of the study: 1. Parental acceptance / Rejection questionnaire. First, Internet addiction tests; second, Adult PARQ and control: Mother and Father, Personality Assessment Questionnaire; and third Questionnaire about the demographical variables of the respondents. Results of Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicate that both maternal and paternal rejection are strong predictors of internet addiction F (1, 842) = 32.62, p = < .001, and paternal rejection predicts internet addiction more strongly than maternal rejection. t (1,841.90) = 4.72, p = < .001, with a small effect size of r = .16. Over all the study indicates a string role of parental rejection in the development of internet addiction among young adolescence.

The Role of Self-Regulation in Internet Addiction during Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience a period of significant development of emotional control, self-regulation and decision-making skills. While this is a period of opportunity for adolescents to benefit from knowledge, social life, and physical activities, it is also a time where the excessive availability of information and internet usage can potentially have detrimental effects on their mental health, academic performance, and physiology. This study aims to discuss the potential relationship between low-level self-regulation and the development of internet addiction in adolescents. With the widespread use of smartphones among young people, internet addiction has become a severe problem. Adolescents who prioritize short-term goals and focus on immediate gratification or adopt competitive gamming style may exhibit low-level self-regulation, which is a risk factor for developing internet addiction. In addition, poor family functioning, low parent education, the presence of interparental conflict, and restrictive parental mediation may also be significant factors contributing to the onset of internet addiction. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of lower self-regulation and severe internet addiction may have a substantial negative impact on academic performance and quality of life. The previous studys findings demonstrate a causal relationship between self-regulation and internet addiction. However, applying voluntary sampling methods to collect data, social desirability biases, and cultural bias are some of the limitations of most research in this area. Future research should adopt stratified sampling methods, tailor their survey and instruments to be culturally sensitive to investigate the underlying mechanisms that give rise to this association.

Сase study in Russia: the views of parents on schoolchildren’s cyber addiction in the course of online learning

Not only children but also adults now spend much more time in front of the screen (computers, laptops, tablets, phones, TVs, Play Station, other game consoles, etc.) for various reasons: work, study, a lot of free time, communication, entertainment, information retrieval. The aim of this paper is to examine how the time spent in front of the screen at school influence the developing of computer addiction in primary schoolchildren. The development of Internet addiction has negative educational (deterioration of academic performance), medical (reduced mental health, decreased general stress-resistance, risk of depression), and social consequences (reduced quality and quantity of social contacts). The respondents were 120 parents and 120 secondary school students of one of the schools in Moscow. The participants were asked to answer 9 multiple-choice questions. To assess the level of Internet addiction of schoolchildren, the Internet Addiction Test created by K. Young and modified by V.A. Loskutova (Burova) was used. As a result, 69% of the parents surveyed noted that their children spend more than four hours a day on online learning. Proposed approach consists of two stages, which are a gradual reduction of the time children spend on the Internet and the replacement of problematic behavior with other alternatives. The research results provide the knowledge to prevent cyber addiction in schoolchildren and the incentive for further research.

Related Factors of Internet Addiction on Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic : Systematic Literature Review

The increase in youth internet use occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine internet use and the factors that cause internet addiction in adolescents during the COVID-19. This study uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2015 in conducting a systematic literature review using the Scopus, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Emerald Insight databases. There were ten articles that met the inclusion criteria and passed the article quality assessment. The results of the study found that resilience, self efficacy, self esteem, gender, mental health, difficulty sleeping, fear of COVID-19, and loneliness are internal factors that influence internet addiction in adolescents. While the duration of internet use, limitations of social interaction, family roles including parental education, family harmony, control, and family function, socioeconomic level, online learning, social support, and social emotional adjustment are external factors that influence adolescents in developing Internet addiction. Future research can examine internet addiction prevention interventions by considering related factors found in this study. K eywo r d s : Adolescents, Covid-19, Factors, Internet Addiction, Parents

Cyberchondria, Anxiety Sensitivity, Hypochondria, and Internet Addiction: Implications for Mental Health Professionals.

Repetitive online searches for health information increase anxieties and result in Internet addiction. Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria have been studied separately, but how these concepts are reciprocally linked has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the levels, correlations, and predictors of Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria among students based on the sample’s characteristics. A sample of 143 university students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. A self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from students. The studied concepts had moderate to high correlations with each other and with the students’ characteristics. Not getting infected with the coronavirus was among the demographic factors inserted into the regression model that only predicted cyberchondria. The model of cyberchondria was significant and explained 11.5% of the variance in the score of concepts. The results of the standard regression analysis indicated that the model predicting Internet addiction accounted for 41.2% of the variability. Our unique findings indicate that cyberchondria can contribute to developing Internet addiction compared to earlier studies. The findings suggest the importance of empowering students to overcome their anxieties by managing cyberchondria and Internet addiction. Mental health professionals, namely psychiatric nurses, are at the forefront of taking preventive mental health measures on campus, such as screening and referring students who exhibit these problems to psychological support and counseling to cope with their anxieties.

Time Estimation or Autonomic Heart Rate Regulation: Which Mechanism Is More Sensitive in the Development of Internet Addiction in Adolescents?

The aim of the study was to assess different combinations of time estimation ability and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in adolescents during developing of Internet addiction (IA). The study included adolescents aged 16–17 (n = 49) living in the southern region of Russia. IA was measured using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS). An individual minute test (IM) was performed, and HRV was recorded. There are three groups that differ in HRV, IM duration and CIAS parameters. Minimal and moderate risk of IA development was detected against a background of a tendency towards vagotonia and prolonged IM time (Group I) and balanced autonomic nervous balance and optimal IM time (Group II). A balanced autonomic nervous balance and prolonged IM time were detected in the group of persons with a moderate risk of IA and a stable IA pattern (Group III). We assume that the development of IA in adolescents may be carried out by different neural mechanisms, including optimal autonomic nervous balance, but with primary impairment of cortical brain mechanisms of time perception.

Influence of Social Networking on the Development of Internet Addiction in Medical University Students

Introduction: The number of studies on health effects of social networking in young people has increased recently, but their results are inconsistent. Objective: To analyze the impact of social networking on the development of Internet addiction disorders among medical university students. Materials and methods: A survey of 403 medical students from the Russian cities of Moscow, Kaliningrad, and Voronezh was conducted in January–March, 2022 using a questionnaire developed by S.A. Kulakov to identify the influence of Internet or an already developed Internet addiction, and later tested and recommended for hygienic research by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.G. Sukharev. The mean age of students was 20.1 ± 0.08 years. Statistical data analysis was carried out using standard methods in Microsoft Excel and Statistica 13.0; we also did descriptive statistics and estimated relative risks. Results: According to the Screen Time app, the average time of social networking among the students was 250.3 ± 14.0 minutes a day. Three or more social networks were used daily by 53.5 % of the respondents. Our questionnaire-based survey revealed 2.3 % of the students with Internet addiction disorders and 13.9 % of those strongly influenced by the Net. Conclusion: The relative risk of developing Internet addiction among the medical university students posed by two or more hours a day of social networking was 4.167 (95.0 % CI, 2.558–31.130). This factor, however, is manageable and should be taken into account in health education of medical students.

Characteristics of online behavior and structure of consumed content in Abakan adolescents of different age, groups and ethnicity

Background. The study of the prevalence and structure of various types of online behavior, the characteristics of the content consumed by adolescents of different age, sex and ethnic groups is an important area of scientific research.The aim. To study the features of online behavior and the structure of content consumed in Abakan adolescents of various age and sex groups and ethnicity (Russians and Khakasses).Materials and methods. 1400 adolescents of the city of Abakan (Republic of Khakassia) aged 12–18 were examined: 962 (68.7 %) Russians, 438 (31.3 %) Khakasses, 678 (48.4 %) boys and 722 (51.6 %) girls, aged 12–14 years – 39.8 % and 15–18 years – 60.2 %. The type of online behavior was verified using the Chen scale (CIAS). Emotional and behavioral disorders were diagnosed using the SDQ questionnaire. The indicators were compared in groups formed by sex, age and ethnicity. The data were processed using the Statistica 12.0 program (StatSoft Inc., USA).Results. It has been established that the prevalence and structure of online behavior among adolescents in Abakan depends on gender, age and ethnicity. Pathological Internet use (PIU) is more common among Khakasses, more often in the older age group. Regardless of ethnicity, maladaptive online behavior (pathological and maladaptive Internet use) is recorded more often among girls. In the structure of consumed content, gaming addiction prevails, social network addiction is in second place, and the proportion of mixed and undifferentiated Internet addiction is less. Dependence on online games prevails in boys, while dependence on social networks and undifferentiated internet addiction prevail in girls.Conclusion. One of the reasons for the greater prevalence of maladaptive online behavior among Khakasses may be the association of maladaptive Internet use with the presence of emotional disorders and behavioral problems that reach the borderline level and are causally significant factors in the development of Internet addiction. Adolescents with maladaptive online behavior, who have not yet reached the level of formed Internet addiction, are the target group requiring medical and psychological assistance.

The predictive role of tendency toward mobile learning and emotional intelligence in Internet addiction in healthcare professional students.

Introduction: Internet addiction is a psychological disorder that can lead to serious damages to university students as a group at risk. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of tendency toward mobile learning (purposeful use of mobile technologies for educational purposes) and emotional intelligence in Internet addiction in healthcare professional students. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 403 healthcare professional students at Saveh University of Medical Sciences-Iran in 2021 using convenience sampling method. For data gathering, three questionnaires were used: willingness to use mobile learning, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, and the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal. Data analyses were done using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Hierarchical Regression in SPSS 16 (Inc SPSS USA, IL, Chicago). Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.09±1.47 years; 125 subjects (31.01%) were boys and 278 (68.99%) girls. As the findings showed, 16.87% of the students had Internet addiction and 33% were on the edge of developing Internet addiction. Internet addiction was significantly negatively correlated with willingness to m-learning (r=-0.45, P=0.001) and emotional intelligence (r=-0.32, P=0.01). In addition, regression analysis results showed that the variables willingness to use learning and emotional intelligence explained 23% of the Internet addiction variance (P<0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, a considerable number of the healthcare professional students had excessive and unnecessary use of the Internet. Emotional intelligence and willingness to use mobile learning had an inverse relationship with Internet addiction. There is a need to screen Internet-addicted students using proper screening tools and take primary preventive measures in this regard. In addition, proper measures are needed to be taken to improve emotional intelligence and mobile learning skills and control Internet addiction to some extent.

Internet Addiction

Different educational programs aim to reduce or control Internet addiction. These are based on a traditional methodology that can be recognized as an exposition or master class (participatory or not). In this type of educational programs the student acquires a passive role since they are focused on informing the students of the dangers associated with the development of Internet addiction, but not on the treatment or changes in behavior. If we review these educational programs it can see how they have little effect on students. For this reason, a new educational program approach has been created that fights or limits Internet addiction through a methodological proposal that also focuses on increasing digital competence while limiting or controlling the evolution of Internet addiction. In this article, the design is presented.

Study of Internet addiction among medical students

Background Internet addiction is a serious and growing problem. There is an emerging public health concern over the increase in Internet usage, particularly among adolescents. Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of Internet use among university students and to evaluate the personality and the associated psychiatric disorders with students of Internet addiction. Participants and methods A total of 300 medical students were subjected to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed by Young in 1998. Personality evaluation by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and psychiatric interview by Arabic version of Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were done for Internet addicts to assess any associated personality or psychiatric disorders. Results Students were divided into four Internet user groups according to their IAT total scores: normal Internet users (n=117, 39.0%), mild Internet addicts (n=116, 38.7%), moderate Internet addicts (n=64, 21.3%), and severe Internet addicts (n=3, 1.0%). Males were more prone than females to develop severe forms of Internet addiction. Family environment had a major effect on developing Internet addiction. Neurotics and introverts were more susceptible to develop Internet addiction than others. Depression and anxiety were significantly associated with Internet addiction. Conclusions This study suggests that students who use the Internet excessively exhibit significantly more psychiatric symptoms than students who use the Internet less frequently. In addition, pathological Internet addicts appear to have a distinctive personality and social profile when compared with nonpathological users.

Pathogenetics of Internet addiction in adolescents

Th e aim of the research. Internet addiction (IA) is a relatively new psychological phenomenon having signs of a social epidemic, specifi cally attributed to vulnerable groups (adolescents). Th e prevalence of IA among adolescents varies depending on the studied ethnosocial groups and the diagnostic criteria. In Europe, the prevalence of IA among adolescents is on average 4.4 % [1]. In Asian countries (China, South Korea, Japan, etc.), the prevalence of IA is signifi cantly higher – 8.1-26.5 % [2]. Th e genetic component of developing Internet addiction was shown by twin studies using various populations, however, to date, the specifi c genes involved in the mechanisms of such heritability are not exactly identifi ed [3]. Th e purpose of with work was to study the prevalence of Internet addiction options, diff erent in severity, addiction pattern and content, in adolescents from ethnically diff erent cities, to assess the frequency of mental and somatic comorbidity in selected groups, to investigate the associative role of candidate neurotransmitters and to conduct a population analysis of polymorphisms of candidate genes oxytocin-, dopamine-, serotonin-, norepinephrine-, melatoninand nicotinergic neurotransmitter systems. Material and methods. Th e study of genetic predisposition to IA included adolescents living in Krasnoyarsk (n = 359), adolescents from Abakan (n = 150) and from Kyzyl (n = 200). In total 16 SNPs were genotyped by RT-PCR. Results. For the fi rst time, data were obtained on the prevalence of IA among urban adolescents in Central Siberia – pathological Internet addicted behavior was registered in 6.8 % of an unbiased school sample in Krasnoyarsk (using a CIAS scale). Th e Internet addiction structure was as follows: Adaptive Internet Usage (expected frequency 60-75 %), revealed frequency – 46.9 %; Non-adaptive Internet Usage (expected frequency 20-30%), revealed frequency – 31.3 % and Internet Addiction (expected frequency 5-10 %), revealed frequency – 21.8. It is noteworthy that the frequency of non-adaptive adolescents among Tuvans is 45 %. Conclusion. Genotypes including the T allele rs1044396 CHRNA4 can be considered protective against IA among the Caucasians, while the CC genotype is predisposing to IA. Th e heterozygous variant CG rs2229910 NTRK3 can be considered protective against IA, and the GG genotype is predisposing to pathological IA among the Caucasian adolescents.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Internet Addiction among Clinical Medical Students of a Nigerian Private University

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction among undergraduate clinical medical students of a Nigerian private university.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos campus, Plateau state, Nigeria, between May and July 2021.&#x0D; Methods: We included 383 (147 males and 236 females, age range 18 – 49 years) clinical medical students of Bingham University. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire which included questions about socio-demographic factors, the pattern of internet use and the standardized Internet Addiction Test questionnaire developed by Dr Kimberly S. Young in 1998. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between internet addiction and various risk factors.&#x0D; Results: Out of 402 students who were administered questionnaires, 383 completed the questionnaires giving a response rate of 95.3%. Of these, 145 (37.9%) were mildly addicted to the internet, 30 (7.8%) were moderately addicted and 1 (0.3%) was severely addicted to the internet. The mean age of the study participants was 22.7 ± 2.7 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (P = .002), and having trouble sleeping (P = .002) were significantly but negatively associated with the development of internet addiction while hours spend on social media (P &lt; .001) was significantly and positively associated.&#x0D; Conclusions: Internet addiction is an emerging disorder in this era of almost global access to internet facilities.

Prevalence, correlates, and network analysis of Internet addiction symptoms among Chinese pregnant and postpartum women

ObjectiveExcessive Internet use is a common health problem globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, correlates, and network structure of Internet addiction symptoms (Internet addiction hereafter) among Chinese pregnant and postpartum women. MethodsThis was a multicenter cross-sectional study using Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) to evaluate Internet addiction and quality of life (QOL), respectively. Univariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression analyses, and network analyses were performed. ResultsOf a total of 1,060 women who completed the study, 320 (30.19%, 95% CI=27.42%-32.96%) women reported Internet addiction during or after pregnancy. Women with previous adverse pregnancy experiences (OR=1.831, P=0.001) and physical comorbidities (OR=1.724, P=0.004) had a higher likelihood of developing Internet addiction. Internet addiction was significantly associated with poor QOL in all domains. Network analyses revealed that IAT item 16 (request an extension for longer time spent online) was the most central symptom in the analyses, and also one of the strongest bridging symptoms linking the Internet addiction and QOL communities. LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional study, all study findings were based on self-reported data, and possible recall bias and selection bias may exist. ConclusionInternet addiction is common among Chinese pregnant and postpartum women, and is significantly associated with lower QOL. Effective strategies, especially focusing on central symptoms, are needed to reduce the impact of Internet addiction and improve QOL in pregnant and postpartum women.

Age-related and individual variations in altered prefrontal and cerebellar connectivity associated with the tendency of developing internet addiction.

Internet addiction refers to problematic patterns of internet use that continually alter the neural organization and brain networks that control impulsive behaviors and inhibitory functions. Individuals with elevated tendencies to develop internet addiction represent the transition between healthy and clinical conditions and may progress to behavioral addictive disorders. In this network neuroscience study, we used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) to examine how and whether individual variations in the tendency of developing internet addiction rewire functional connectivity and diminish the amplitude of spontaneous low‐frequency fluctuations in healthy brains. The influence of neurocognitive aging (aged over 60 years) on executive‐cerebellar networks responsible for internet addictive behavior was also investigated. Our results revealed that individuals with an elevated tendency of developing internet addiction had disrupted executive‐cerebellar networks but increased occipital‐putamen connectivity, probably resulting from addiction‐sensitive cognitive control processes and bottom‐up sensory plasticity. Neurocognitive aging alleviated the effects of reduced mechanisms of prefrontal and cerebellar connectivity, suggesting age‐related modulation of addiction‐associated brain networks in response to compulsive internet use. Our findings highlight age‐related and individual differences in altered functional connectivity and the brain networks of individuals at a high risk of developing internet addictive disorders. These results offer novel network‐based preclinical markers of internet addictive behaviors for individuals of different ages.

BRAIN ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH DIFFERENT INTERNET ADDICTION RISKS

Aim: To study electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in adolescents with different risks of developing Internet addiction (IA). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1б-17 years-old adolescents (n = 55) permanently living in the Arctic Russian town of Arkhangelsk. Risk of IA was assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS). By the results of the CIAS test all adolescents were divided into three groups: I - minimal risk of IA, II - increased risk to develop IA and III - stable IA pattern. EEG was evaluated by the values of spectral power (|jV2) in each frequency band. Results: Altogether, 25.5 % of adolescents had minimal risk of developing IA, б3.б% belonged to group 2 and 10.9 % had IA. The organized type of alpha activity EEG was found in 79 % of individuals in group I and in 100 % of individuals in group III. This indicates the optimal age ratio of the activity of the reticular formation, cerebral cortex and diencephalic structures. A large number of negative correlations between compulsive symptoms of IA and all types of EEG activity in group I was determined, which may indicate a resistance of these individuals to addiction. The organized EEG type was detected in 54 %, hypersynchronous type - in 14 %, desynchronized type - in 14 %, disorganized type - in 18 % of group II individuals. A disorganized EEG type with a large ratio of theta EEG waves in the frontal-central brain parts in group II may indicate a high limbic-diencephalic excitation. The correlations between the indicators of the withdrawal symptom scale and the EEG theta-activity reflect the psychological discomfort when access to Internet resources is difficult. Conclusions: Most adolescents with minimal risk of IA and symptoms IA have an organized EEG-type while adolescents with IA have this EEG-type only in a half of the cases, which is caused by the heterochronia of the EEG formation in the Arctic residents and the peculiarities of the formation and development of IA.

Факторы риска семейной и образовательной среды для возникновения интернет-зависимости у студентов

В статье рассматривается проблема факторов риска возникновения и развития интернет-зависимости у студентов. Актуальность исследования обусловлена противоречием между большим количеством средовых факторов риска интернет-зависимости, выделенных зарубежными авторами, и фактическим отсутствием эмпирической проверки значимости многих из них для российских студентов в современных условиях пандемии COVID-19. Цель исследования состояла в выявлении и сравнительном анализе факторов риска, относящихся к семейной и образовательной среде и обусловливающих проявление интернет-зависимости у студентов вузов в современных реалиях. Интернет-зависимость измерялась с помощью 6-пунктовой авторской психодиагностической шкалы. Факторы семейной и образовательной среды определялись с помощью 31-пунктовой авторской анкеты. Выборка включила 145 студентов российских вузов в возрасте от 18 до 35 лет. Установлено, что определенные факторы риска, оказывающие статистически значимое влияние на рост интернет-зависимости есть и в семейной, и в образовательной среде. Вместе с тем в образовательной среде подобных факторов риска выявлено больше, а их влияние зачастую является более сильным. Однако среди факторов риска образовательной среды наиболее значимыми являются те, которые связаны не с преподавателями вуза, а с предметной средой (недостаточная благоустроенность вуза) и частью субъектной, представленной именно студентами. Полученные результаты обосновывают целесообразность продолжения исследования в направлении расширения изучаемых конкретных средовых факторов риска интернет-зависимости. The article treats risk factors associated with the development of internet addiction in students. The relevance of the research is accounted for by a huge gap between a great number of environment-related risk factors singled out by foreign scholars and a lack of empirical research into the relevance of the aforementioned factors for Russian students in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the research is to single out and comparatively analyze risk factors associated with family influence and the impact of learning environments on the development of internet addiction in university students in the modern world. Internet addiction is measured on a 6-point psychodiagnostic scale proposed by the authors. Risk factors associated with family influence and the impact of learning environments on the development of internet addiction in university students is measured on a 31-point scale proposed by the authors. The subjects of the research are 145 students of Russian universities (aged 18–35). The investigation shows that there are certain risk factors that have a significant influence on the development of internet addiction, these factors are associated both with family influence and the impact of learning environments. The influence of learning environments is discovered to be greater than that of family environment. However, the most pronounced risks discovered in learning environments are not associated with academic staff but with uncomfortable and under-equipped learning spaces and hostility of other students. The obtained results substantiate the feasibility of further research aimed at the investigation of specific environment-related risk factors associated with internet addiction.