Level Of Internet Addiction Research Articles

The attraction of online games: An important factor for Internet Addiction

This study examined the attraction of online games and their contribution to Internet Addiction (IA) among college students in China in a series of cross-sectional studies. Study 1 tested the theoretical framework of the online games attraction and developed an assessment instrument: the Online Game Attraction Inventory (OAI). Study 2 surveyed 635 students using a battery of questionnaires that included the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) to assess IA levels and determine which predictor contributed the most to IA. The results indicated the OAI to be a psychometrically sound tool with acceptable levels of reliability and validity. The OAI score was positively related to the CIAS score (r=.397, p<.01), and the structural equation modeling results revealed that online game attraction mediates the relationships among personality, family function, life events, social support and IA. Thus, the attraction of online games may affect the IA of college students; therefore, more attention should be paid to this issue.

Association between Internet overuse and aggression in Korean adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Internet overuse and aggression. A total of 2336 high school students (boys, 57.5%; girls, 42.5%) in South Korea completed the structured questionnaire. The severity of Internet overuse was evaluated using Young's Internet Addiction Test. Aggression was measured using the Aggression Questionnaire, a modified hostility inventory by Buss and Perry. The proportions of boys who were classified as severe addicts and moderate addicts were 2.5% and 53.7%, respectively. For girls, the corresponding proportions were 1.9% and 38.9%, respectively. manova results for univariate analysis showed that sex, duration of Internet use, most-frequently used Internet activities, level of Internet addiction, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine were significantly associated with aggression scores. From multivariate analysis, it was found that smoking, alcohol, and level of Internet addiction were independently associated with all aggressive characteristics. Internet addiction scores were also significantly associated with all aggression scores from simple and multiple linear regression analyses (parameter estimate = 0.54-0.58 for total aggression). Pearson correlation results showed that Internet addiction scores revealed the highest correlation coefficients with aggression among Internet-related factors, age, and sex. Severe Internet-addicted boys showed higher scores in all aggression characteristics than severe Internet-addicted girls, even though it was not statistically significant in every characteristic. However, there was no sex effect on the association between Internet overuse and aggression. This study shows that Internet overuse is strongly associated with aggression in adolescents.

Associations between overuse of the internet and mental health in adolescents

This study examined the factors influencing internet addiction levels and mental health in a nationally-representative sample of 74,980 Korean middle- and high-school students who completed the 2010 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. The prevalence rates of potential internet addiction and internet addiction were 14.8% and 3%, respectively. The odds ratios for potential internet addiction were higher in both boys and girls who reported suicidal ideation, depressive mood, moderate or higher subjective stress, moderate or more happiness, or ever having engaged in problematic substance use. Adolescents at high risk for internet addiction had poor mental health outcomes. The findings indicate the need for measures to prevent and manage internet addiction in adolescents that consider the severity of factors related to internet addiction.

Evaluation of Internet Addiction and Depression among University Students

This descriptive study was conducted to evaluate internet addiction and depression among university students. The scores of the students on the Internet Addiction Scale were 08.28±21.89, and the scores on the Depression Scale were 14.72±10.58. Internet addiction among students was significantly higher (p<0.05 for each) among students in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, students with high family income, students with large families, students whose parents were university graduates and were employed, students with chronic diseases and students who used the internet more than 13hours each day. A significant positive correlation was found between the level of depression and the level of internet addiction (rs=0.804; p=0.000).

중고생의 인구학적 특성, 건강, 인터넷 중독과 약물사용과의 관계

This study aimed to examine the relationships between demographic characteristics, health, and internet addiction factors and drug uses among the Korean high school students. The 2009 Korean Youth Health Risk Behavior On-line Survey data was used for this study. It selected 73,238 cases of junior and senior high school students from the raw dataset and conducted a secondary data analysis. Frequency analysis and chi-square test were conducted for this study. Gender, living with parents, economic status, school level, academic record, subjective health status, subjective well-being, level of stress, level of depression and internet addiction were significantly associated with their drug uses. Findings may be used for developing strategies to cope with drug uses among the Korean high school students.

Internet Addiction and its Predictors in Guilan Medical Sciences Students, 2012

Internet is one of the technologies of the modern era that is being extensively used around the world. It is believed that excessive Internet use can be pathological and addictive. Though, academic use of the Internet is primarily intended for learning and research, students are one of the groups at risk of Internet addiction. Due to the expanding use of Internet among the university students, this study was conducted to examine the Internet addiction and its predictors among Guilan University of Medical Sciences students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 583 students during the first semester of 2012. A two-stage stratified random sampling was conducted and a two-part instrument was used for data collection. The first part of the instrument was consisted of questions about demographic characteristics and the second part was the Young's Internet addiction inventory. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis testes, Spearman correlation coefficient and ranked logistic regression were used for data analysis. About 5.7% of the students were moderately dependent to the Internet, while 44.1% were at risk for Internet addiction. Significant relationships were observed between the Internet addiction with age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), major (P = 0.016), Grade point average (P = 0.017), semester of studying (P = 0.009) and student residence place (P = 0.014). However, no significant relationship was observed between the internet addiction score and level of discipline, parental job status and education level or the students' accommodation. About half of the participants in this study were at risk of Internet addiction. This finding can be a warning sign for the authorities in universities to pay more attention to this issue. A wide range of education along with empowering programs may be needed to inform the university students about the advantages and disadvantages of internet and the correct manner of using it.

The relationships between Turkish adolescents’ Internet addiction, their perceived social support and family activities

The main purpose of this research is to investigate the relationships between adolescents’ Internet addiction, their perceived social support and the activities carried out with the mother, father and family. The study designed with the survey model involved 166 adolescents who applied to Merkez Efendi Public Hospital Moris Şinasi Children’s Clinic, Child Development Polyclinic between February 2012 and June 2012 for problems specific to the period of adolescence. The age range of the participants was between 12 and 18 with the average age of 15.5. The findings of the study revealed a medium level of negative relationship (r=−.37) between perceived social support and Internet addiction. The adolescents spending time with their mothers had a higher level of perceived social support and a lower level of Internet addiction. Also, t-test was applied to see whether the adolescents’ perceived social support and Internet addiction differed with respect to the activities they carried out with the mother, father and family. It was found out that a number of activities (watching TV, eating meals, chatting, shopping and spending time outside) the adolescents carried out with their mother increased their level of perceived social support although the levels of Internet addiction did not differ with respect to the types of activities carried out only with the mother, only with the father and with the family.

청소년의 인구사회학적 특성, 건강, 인터넷 중독 수준과 흡연과의 관계

본 연구는 제5차 청소년건강행태 온라인조사 자료를 활용해 청소년의 인구사회학적 특성 요인, 건강 요인, 인터넷 중독 요인에 따른 흡연정도의 차이를 비교하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 본 연구에서는 첫째, 각 독립변인과 종속변인에 대한 빈도분석, 백분율, 평균 등의 기술 통계분석을 시행하였으며, 둘째, 각 독립변인의 하위집단별 흡연 정도의 차이를 카이자승 검증을 통해 비교분석하였다. 연구결과, 인구사회학적특성 요인에 있어서는 남학생이 여학생보다, 부모와 동거하지 않는 경우에, 가계의 경제수준이 낮은 경우에, 고등학생이, 성적이 저조한 경우에, 건강요인에 있어서는 주관적으로 건강하지 않다고 생각하는 경우에, 주관적으로 행복하지 않다고 생각하는 경우에, 스트레스 수준이 높은 경우에, 우울을 경험한 경우에, 인터넷 중독요인에 있어서는 인터넷 중독 증상이 있는 청소년이 흡연하는 경우가 더 많게 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 토대로 본 연구에서는 청소년의 흡연 대책에 대해 논의하였다. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of socio-demographic, health, and internet addiction factors on smoking behavior among the Korean youth. The 2009 Korean Youth Health Risk Behavior On-line Survey data was used for this purpose. Frequency analysis and chi-square test were employed for this study. Gender, living with parents, economic status, school level, academic record, subjective health status, subjective well-being, level of stress, level of depression and internet addiction were significantly associated with their smoking behavior. Findings may be used for developing promising strategies to cope with smoking behavior of adolescents in Korea.

대학생의 인터넷 중독위험 정도에 따른 사회 심리적 건강

본 연구는 749명의 대학생을 대상으로 인터넷 중독위험 정도에 따른 사회 심리적 건강상태를 파악하고 중독위험에 영향을 미치는 요인을 규명하기 위하여 시행되었다. 인터넷 중독위험 정도는 The 6th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey의 인터넷 중독 자가진단 척도로 측정하여 중독위험 사용자군, 정상 사용자군으로 분류하였고 각 군의 사회 심리적 건강상태는 절망감, 자살생각, 자살시도, 생활스트레스, 사회적 고립감, 정신건강 점수를 측정하여 비교하였다. 인터넷 정상 사용자군 및 중독위험 사용자군의 일반적 특성과 인터넷 중독위험 정도, 사회 심리적 건강은 t-test와 <TEX>$x^2$</TEX>-test로 비교 분석하였고, 인터넷 중독위험에 영향을 미치는 요인은 logistic regression analysis로 확인하였다. 연구결과 중독위험 사용자군은 82명(10.9%), 정상 사용자군은 667명(89.1%)이었고 절망감, 자살시도 경험, 생활스트레스, 사회적 고립감, 정신건강 점수에서 중독위험 사용자 군이 정상사용자군에 비해 빈도 및 점수가 유의하게 높아 사회 심리적 건강상태가 불량한 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과는 인터넷 중독사용 고위험 군을 조기선별하고 인터넷 중독 발생을 예방하며 나아가 이들을 위한 심리사회적 건강을 증진시키기 위한 프로그램 개발의 기초자료로 활용될 것을 기대한다. This study aimed to compare Psycho-social Well-being depending on level of internet addiction and investigate the factors inducing internet addiction among 749 college students. The Internet Addiction Diagnosis Criterion Inventory was used to classify participants into two groups, Internet overuse and Internet normal use. The psychosocial well-being of each group was measured by hopelessness, idea of suicide, suicide attempt, stress, social isolation, and mental health. Data were analyzed using the t-test and <TEX>$x^2$</TEX>-test to compare general characteristics, level of internet addiction and psycho-social well-being between two groups(the overuse and normal use group). Moreover, logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors inducing internet addiction. The results placed 82 people (10.9%) in the internet overuse group and 667 people(89.1%) in the internet normal use group. The internet overuse group showed higher level of hopelessness, idea of suicide, suicide attempt, stress, social isolation, and mental health scores than the internet normal use group. Therefore, people in the internet overuse group were more likely to have worse Psycho-social well-being. The results of this study recommend that the Internet overuse should be screened early because it can be useful in developing addiction prevention programs and then finally improving the psycho-social well-being.

Prevalence and Factors of Addictive Internet Use among Adolescents in Wuhan, China: Interactions of Parental Relationship with Age and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

PurposesThis study examined the prevalence of addictive Internet use and analyzed the role of parental relationship in affecting this behavior among a random sample of adolescents in Wuhan, China.MethodsStudents (n = 1,101) were randomly selected from four schools, including 638 boys and 463 girls with a mean age of 13.8 (standard deviation = 1.2) years. Addictive Internet use, parental relationship, hyperactivity-impulsivity were measured by validated instruments. Prevalence rate, ANOVA and multiple linear regression method were used to analyze the level of Internet addiction and its association with parental relationship, hyperactivity-impulsivity, as well as the interaction of parental relationship with chronological age and hyperactivity-impulsivity.ResultsThe prevalence rate of Internet addiction was 13.5% (16.5% for boys and 9.5% for girls, p<0.01). Compared to non-addictive users, addictive Internet users were scored significantly lower on parental relationships and significantly higher on hyperactivity-impulsivity. Interaction analysis indicated that better parental relationship was associated with more reductions in risk of addictive Internet use for younger students than for older students, and with more risk of Internet addiction among higher than among lower hyperactivity-impulsivity students.ConclusionsFindings of this study indicate that adolescent addictive Internet use is a significant public health threat in China. Prevention interventions targeting parental relationship must consider adolescent’s age and hyperactivity-impulsivity tendency.

Differential Psychological Impact of Internet Exposure on Internet Addicts

The study explored the immediate impact of internet exposure on the mood and psychological states of internet addicts and low internet-users. Participants were given a battery of psychological tests to explore levels of internet addiction, mood, anxiety, depression, schizotypy, and autism traits. They were then given exposure to the internet for 15 min, and re-tested for mood and current anxiety. Internet addiction was associated with long-standing depression, impulsive nonconformity, and autism traits. High internet-users also showed a pronounced decrease in mood following internet use compared to the low internet-users. The immediate negative impact of exposure to the internet on the mood of internet addicts may contribute to increased usage by those individuals attempting to reduce their low mood by re-engaging rapidly in internet use.

Internet addiction in students: Prevalence and risk factors

The last decade has witnessed a large increase in research on the newly emerging mental health problem of Internet addiction. Rather than looking at Internet addiction per se, this study focused on particular activities on the Internet that might be potentially addictive and linked them to personality traits that might predispose individuals to Internet addiction. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the prevalence of clinically significant levels of Internet addiction, and to (ii) discern the interplay between personality traits and specific Internet uses in increasing the risk for Internet addiction. This cross-sectional online survey used data from 2257 students of an English university. Results indicated that 3.2% of the students were classified as being addicted to the Internet. The included personality traits and uses of online activities explained 21.5% of the variance in Internet addiction. A combination of online shopping and neuroticism decreased the risk for Internet addiction, whereas a combination of online gaming and openness to experience increased it. In addition to this, frequent usage of online shopping and social online activities, high neuroticism and low agreeableness significantly increased the chances of being addicted to the Internet. Findings and their implications are discussed.

Evaluation of the relationship between internet addiction and depression in university students

Objective: To assess the Internet addiction and depression level in university students. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted on the students of Sakarya University between 05 April and 05 July 2012. After the departments were selected by casting lots, 994 students who were randomly selected from each class constituted the study group. Students in the classrooms were informed about the objective and purpose of the study. Then they were asked to complete the previously prepared questionnaire under supervision. In the current study, the Internet Addiction Scale was used in order to assess the Internet addiction. The higher scores obtained in the scale represent higher level of Internet addiction. Depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory. Students with a score of 17 and above were regarded to have suspected depression. Data were assessed in SPSS (version 15.0) Statistics Package Program on the computer. Student's t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance and Spearman's Correlation Analysis were used for analyses. Statistical significance value was taken as p<0.05. Results: The study group consisted of 573 (57.6%) females and 421 (42.4%) males. They were aged between 18 and 26 with a mean age of 21.10 ± 1.71 years. The scores obtained by the students from the Internet Addiction Scale ranged between 0-90 with a mean score of 20.04±12.85. The scores obtained from the Beck Depression Inventory ranged between 0-53 with a mean score of 11.32±9.23. In our study, frequency of suspected depression was determined to be 23.0% (n=229). In the present study, Internet addiction level was determined to be higher in males, those with high family income, those staying in dormitory, smokers, those with an extroverted personality, those having Internet access, those using Internet once a day or more and students with suspected depression (p<0.05 for each). Discussion: Internet addiction is an important health problem in university students. A significant relationship was determined between Internet addiction and depression.

2763 – Psychiatric symptoms of internet game addiction in the child and adolescent psychiatric clinic

The prevalence of internet game use among children and adolescents has been increased in the recent years. Internet addiction has been found to cause various psychiatric symptoms and psychological problems. Internet addiction has been found to cause various psychiatric symptoms and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to examine the association between problematic internet game use and psychiatric symptoms in a sample of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, Ulsan University Hospital. We analyzed data from 447 subjects who first visit the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic of the Ulsan University Hospital. The level of Internet addiction was categorized as either high-risk (≥108; group 3), potential risk (95 to 107; group 2), or no risk (≤94, group 1) based on the total score. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 and one-way ANOVA and multiple logistic regression method were used. Thirteen adolescents met the criteria for high risk group of internet game addiction. In the high risk group, 10 were male and 3 were female adolescents. There was an mean difference among group 3 (high risk)< 1 (no risk),2 (potential risk) in AHI ; whereas group 3 (high risk)>1 (no risk), 2 (potential risk) in BDI, BAI, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and K-ARS score. With multiple logistic regression analysis, K-scale was significantly related with male sex, BDI, ARShyperactivity/ impulsivity score. We conclude that having male sex, happiness and depressive symptoms is associated with the risk of developing internet use disorders.

1250 – Personal and emotional features of adolescents with internet-addictive behavior

The aim of this study was to investigate personal and emotional features of the adolescents with the Internet-addictive behavior. The sample comprised 542 adolescents with 218 females (40,2%) and 324 males (59,8%). The mean age was 15,5 years. The main experimental group (46 adolescents) included only those respondents who had high levels of Internet addiction combined with the objective data from the questionnaire. The control group consisted of adolescents with no signs of Internet-dependent behavior of comparable age and sex (213 adolescents). The group of adolescents with Internet-addictive behavior revealed the predominance cyclothymic, labile, asthenoneurotic, sensory, anxiety-pedantic, introverted, excitable, demonstrative and unstable types. We suggest that when characterological traits reach a level of accentuation, that becomes the factor associated with the formation of Internetaddictive behavior. The adolescents with problems of using the Internet show the general emotional instability, the tendency to experience the polar emotions simultaneously; they are excitable and have the aggressive style of communication. One of the main features of their characters is sensitivity to the danger, anxiety that caused the need to escape from the “harsh” reality. It could also be proposed that the adolescents with Internet addictive behavior separate emotions and cognitions, physicality and mentality. They isolate their own feelings and attach greater importance to the intellect. That cause the feeling of themselves as the subjects, more to do with information than with emotions, which could be poorly understood and classified.

Internet Addiction in Malaysia Causes and Effects

The Internet started as a divine gift to the human society, it was meant to enlighten the human society by transferring knowledge, making available all the information needed for human well being, growth and prosperity. But as the Internet grew, it created its own set of problems—one of the key ones being Internet Addiction. According to Dr. Jerald J. Block, from the Center for Internet Addiction, “Internet addiction” affects as many as one in eight Americans. Block also defined Internet addiction as a compulsive activity involving excessive use, withdrawal and negative repercussions including social isolation, lying, low achievement and fatigue. As the Internet grows in Malaysia, Internet addiction is surfacing as a key problem, particularly amongst the younger generation here. This research outlines a method to examine the level of Internet addiction amongst Malaysian youth. The purpose of our study is to identify the use of Internet among Malaysian youth and the relation of excessive use to the addictive level. We have devised an online survey to study the Internet use among the youth; the findings of this study indicate that the youth are indeed susceptible to Internet addiction.

The Effect of Interpersonal Relationship on Internet Addiction Level of University Students : Stress Coping Strategies as Mediating Variable

The Effect of Interpersonal Relationship on Internet Addiction Level of University Students : Stress Coping Strategies as Mediating Variable

Internet and gaming addiction: a systematic literature review of neuroimaging studies.

In the past decade, research has accumulated suggesting that excessive Internet use can lead to the development of a behavioral addiction. Internet addiction has been considered as a serious threat to mental health and the excessive use of the Internet has been linked to a variety of negative psychosocial consequences. The aim of this review is to identify all empirical studies to date that used neuroimaging techniques to shed light upon the emerging mental health problem of Internet and gaming addiction from a neuroscientific perspective. Neuroimaging studies offer an advantage over traditional survey and behavioral research because with this method, it is possible to distinguish particular brain areas that are involved in the development and maintenance of addiction. A systematic literature search was conducted, identifying 18 studies. These studies provide compelling evidence for the similarities between different types of addictions, notably substance-related addictions and Internet and gaming addiction, on a variety of levels. On the molecular level, Internet addiction is characterized by an overall reward deficiency that entails decreased dopaminergic activity. On the level of neural circuitry, Internet and gaming addiction led to neuroadaptation and structural changes that occur as a consequence of prolonged increased activity in brain areas associated with addiction. On a behavioral level, Internet and gaming addicts appear to be constricted with regards to their cognitive functioning in various domains. The paper shows that understanding the neuronal correlates associated with the development of Internet and gaming addiction will promote future research and will pave the way for the development of addiction treatment approaches.

Internet addiction, reality substitution and longitudinal changes in psychotic‐like experiences in young adults

Internet use has grown exponentially in the past decade, but there has been little systematic research to inform our understanding of how this phenomenon may relate to mental illness. Although several characteristics of individuals experiencing psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) may render this group particularly susceptible to problematic Internet use, to date there have been no studies examining Internet use in this group. Because the experience of PLEs is considered a risk "behaviour" for formal psychosis, it is crucial to understand how patterns of Internet use may be tied to the progression of illness. A total of 170 young adults were followed for 2 months, and grouped into those showing a steady/improved course of PLEs (PLE-Improved/Constant) and those showing an exacerbation in PLEs (PLE-Increase). Internet addiction and a factor 'Reality Substitute' were examined within and between the two groups. Findings indicated that although both groups reported a similar level of Internet addiction and Reality Substitute at baseline, the PLE-Improved/Constant group showed longitudinal declines in both domains of problematic Internet usage whereas the PLE-Increase group's reported level remained constant. Further, there were moderate correlations between PLEs and domains of problematic Internet use, and the magnitude of association with Reality Substitute for the PLE-Increase group grew significantly over time. Taken together, results implicate a close link between continued problematic Internet use and the phenomena of PLEs.

초등학생의 인터넷 중독이 충동성과 학교생활 적응에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 초등학생을 대상으로 인터넷 중독 수준에 따라 충동성과 학교생활적응에 차이가 있는가와 인터넷 중독이 충동성과 학교생활적응에 어떠한 영향을 미치는 가를 조사하였다. 그 결과, 인터넷 중독 수준에 따라 충동성에 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 중독집단과 잠재집단의 충동성이 매우 높은 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 인터넷 중독집단이 비중독집단이나 잠재집단보다 학교생활적응 수준이 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 또한 초등학생이 인터넷을 중독적으로 사용할수록 충동성 수준이 커지고, 학교생활적응 수준이 낮아지는 것으로 나타났다. This study investigated whether there is the difference of the level of impulsiveness school adjustment according to the internet addiction level of elementary school students or not. Also, this study examined the effect of internet addiction of elementary school students on impulsiveness and school adjustment. The result suggested that there was the difference of impulsiveness according to internet addiction level and the impulsiveness level of addiction and addiction potential groups were the highest. And, the school adjustment level of the addiction group was lower than the non-addiction and addiction potential group's. The more elementary school students are addictive, the more their impulsiveness level are higher and their school adjustment level are lower.