Internet Addiction Research Articles

The effect of loneliness on interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates: a chain mediation role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination

BackgroundLoneliness was associated with interpersonal sensitivity, but the factors contributing to this relationship in nursing students remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates, with a specific focus on the mediating roles played by problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination.MethodThis study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey at a university in China between November and December 2022. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), the Chinese Version of Short Form of Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM-CS), the 6-item short form of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-6), and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationships among loneliness, interpersonal sensitivity, problematic internet use, and bedtime procrastination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS software to examine the mediating role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity.ResultsLoneliness was positively related to interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates (β = 0.44, P < 0.001). There was a significant chain mediation role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination in the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity.ConclusionsThe study contributed to deepening the understanding of the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity and provided valuable insights into the improvement of interpersonal sensitivity in nursing undergraduates.

Problematic Internet Use at Junior and High School in Padang, Indonesia: The Interplay of Self-Esteem and Social Acceptance

Problematic Internet Use at Junior and High School in Padang, Indonesia: The Interplay of Self-Esteem and Social Acceptance

The predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addiction among tertiary students in Ghana

Internet addiction is an emerging mental health concern, particularly among young people who avidly use online technologies. This cross-sectional study examined the predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addictive behaviours among 480 tertiary students in Ghana. Data were collected using Kashdan’s Curiosity Scale and Samaha’s Internet Addiction Test. The results revealed a 13.1% prevalence rate of internet addiction, with 73.1% classified as over-users. Only 29.4% exhibited high curiosity levels, while 35.6% had low curiosity. Structural equation modelling showed that deprivation sensitivity, covert social curiosity, overt social curiosity, stress tolerance, and thrill-seeking positively predicted various dimensions of internet addiction. Conversely, joyous exploration negatively predicted these behaviours. The curiosity composite positively predicted the overall internet addiction composite. The findings highlight curiosity’s complex role, where adaptive curiosity mitigates internet addiction risks, but maladaptive curiosity exacerbates such risks. Nurturing healthy curiosity while equipping students with self-regulation skills is crucial for promoting responsible internet use and preventing addictive behaviours. This study contributes insights into curiosity’s influence on youth mental health, informing prevention and intervention strategies within the context of higher education in Ghana.

Cybergrooming Victimization Among Young People: A Systematic Review of Prevalence Rates, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

AbstractAdolescence is marked by a unique blend of factors, including adolescents’ exploration of their emerging sexuality and growing engagement with digital media. As adolescents increasingly navigate online spaces, cybergrooming victimization has emerged as a significant concern for the development and protection of young people. Yet, there is a lack of systematic analyses of the current state of research. To this end, the present systematic review aimed to integrate existing quantitative research on prevalence rates, risk factors, and outcomes of cybergrooming victimization, informed by an adaptation of the General Aggression Model. Studies providing self-reported data on cybergrooming victimization of people between the ages of 5 and 21 were included. A total of 34 studies met all inclusion criteria, with most focusing on adolescence. Reported prevalence rates were characterized by strong heterogeneity, which could largely be attributed to the underlying methodology. Overall, the included studies showed that at least one in ten young people experiences cybergrooming victimization. Findings further indicated that various factors, for example, being a girl, being older, engaging in risky behavior, displaying problematic Internet use, reporting lower mental well-being, and experiencing other types of victimization, are positively associated with cybergrooming victimization. However, most studies’ cross-sectional designs did not allow for an evidence-based classification into risk factors, outcomes, and co-occurrences, so findings were embedded in the proposed model based on theoretical considerations. In addition, there is a noted lack of studies that include diverse samples, particularly younger children, LGBTQIA+ youth, and young people with special educational needs. These findings emphasize that cybergrooming victimization is a prevalent phenomenon among young people that requires prevention and victim support addressing multiple domains.

Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescent School Attendees: A School-based Study from Tamil Nadu, India

Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescent School Attendees: A School-based Study from Tamil Nadu, India

Internet Addiction Among Medical Undergraduates And Its Association With Depressive Symptoms

Internet Addiction Among Medical Undergraduates And Its Association With Depressive Symptoms

The Analysis of the Causes and Intervention Strategies for Adolescent Internet Addiction

With the rapid development of Internet technology, adolescent internet addiction has become a global social issue. This paper aims to deeply analyze the causes of adolescents' obsession with the internet and explore effective intervention strategies. Through literature review, this study has collected a large amount of data to reveal the psychological, social, and environmental factors behind internet addiction. The study found that the main reasons for adolescent internet addiction include unmet psychological needs, the influence of family environment, the lack of school education, and the temptation of social culture. On this basis, this paper proposes a series of intervention measures, including strengthening mental health education, improving family communication, optimizing the school education model, and building a healthy online environment. Finally, this paper discusses the limitations of the study and makes suggestions for future research directions. This study not only provides a new perspective for understanding the phenomenon of adolescent internet addiction but also provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for formulating relevant policies and practices.

A growth mindset of happiness reduces internet addiction among Chinese emerging adults: The mediating role of depression

A growth mindset of happiness reduces internet addiction among Chinese emerging adults: The mediating role of depression

Resting-state brain networks alterations in adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder associate with cognitive control impairments.

Research indicates that cognitive control is compromised in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the neural mechanisms behind it are still unclear. This study aims to investigate alterations in resting-state brain networks in adolescents with IGD and the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction. A total of 44 adolescent IGD subjects (male/female: 38/6) and 50 healthy controls (male/female: 40/10) were enrolled. Participants underwent demographic assessments, Young's Internet Addiction Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 Chinese Revised Version, the Chinese Adolescents' Maladaptive Cognitions Scale, exploratory eye movement tests, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). FMRI data were analyzed using the GIFT software for independent component analysis, focusing on functional connectivity within and between resting-state brain networks. In comparison to the control group, impulsivity in adolescent IGD subjects showed a positive correlation with the severity of IGD (r=0.6350, p < 0.001), linked to impairments in the Executive Control Network (ECN) and a decrease in functional connectivity between the Salience Network (SN) and ECN (r=0.4307, p=0.0021; r=-0.5147, p=0.0034). Decreased resting state activity of the dorsal attention network (DAN) was associated with attentional dysregulation of IGD in adolescents (r=0.4071, p=0.0017), and ECN increased functional connectivity with DAN. The degree of IGD was positively correlated with enhanced functional connectivity between the ECN and DAN (r=0.4283, p=0.0037). This research demonstrates that changes in the ECN and DAN correlate with heightened impulsivity and attentional deficits in adolescents with IGD. The interaction between cognitive control disorders and resting-state brain networks in adolescent IGD is related.

Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality Among School Children in South India.

Today's internet is an unavoidable component of educational sources, the entertainment field, and telecommunication processes. Internet usage is more likely among adolescents and young adults in the form of surfing, chatting, playing games, and fulfilling their social needs. The present study has been planned to assess the effect of internet addiction (IA) on sleep quality in school children. This cross-sectional school-based study was conducted amongschool students in Pondicherry. A total of 350 school students of both genders studying in grades six to 10 and having access to at least one device with internet for more than one year were recruited from government and private schools located in five randomly selected communes in Pondicherry by convenient sampling method. Assessment of IA was done using Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) questionnaire assessed the participants' sleep quality. All the data was tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were used for analysis. The average age of the participants is 13 years. 49 (26.1%) are children and 139 (73.9%) are adolescents. The majority of them are females belonging to the adolescent age group(169, 89.4%). Around 17 (19.5%) children and 70 (80.5%)adolescents reported mild IA. Thirteen (59.1%)childrenand nine (40.9%)adolescents reported moderate IA. There is no significant difference in sleep quality between children and adolescents (4±2.33 vs. 3.62±2.61, p=0.37)but there is a considerable difference in their levels of IA(32.98±21.06 vs. 25.6±15.08, p=0.01). Conclusion: This study found a significant relationship between IA and poor sleep quality among adolescents. Thus, adolescents, parents, school authorities, and researchers should understand the importance of regulating internet usage and encouraging sleep hygiene. Thus, appropriate measures should be taken to address the effects of IA on sleep quality.

The Impact of Internet Addiction on Academic Performance Among Medical Students in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study and the Potential Role of Yoga.

Excessive internet use is a growing concern globally, and internet addiction negatively impacts academic performance. Limited research has been conducted on this topic among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction and its impact on academic performance among medical students in Bangladesh, with a focus on the role of yoga in reducing Internet addiction as a proposed intervention. A cross-sectional study was conducted among third-year medical students in four colleges in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select participants, and data were collected using pretested questionnaires and a checklist for office records through face-to-face interviews. SPSS version 25 was used for data processing and analysis. Out of 312 students, 84% were addicted to the internet, and only 16% were normal. In total, 64.4% had good results in the first professional examination, while 35.6% had poor results. In total, 85.9% had good attendance, while 14.1% had poor attendance. The association between internet addiction level and first professional examination results and class attendance was highly significant. This study highlights the high prevalence and negative impacts of internet addiction among medical students in Bangladesh. The study suggests that promoting awareness about healthy technology use, establishing a better balance between internet usage and academic study, and encouraging the practice of yoga can help alleviate this problem. Further research and interventions are needed to tackle this emerging public health issue. Encouraging students to use the internet for academic purposes and providing education and resources can help promote healthy technology use. Healthcare professionals should also be aware of the risks and encourage seeking help if needed.

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Social Media on Sleep Quality of High School Students in Mexico City.

Smartphones, internet access, and social media represent a new form of problematic behavior and can affect how teens sleep. A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the prevalence and association of problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use with sleep quality in a non-probability sample of 190 high school students in Mexico. The internet-related experiences questionnaire (IREQ), the mobile-related experiences questionnaire (MREQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. The study revealed that 66% of participants exhibited some form of problematic internet use, primarily in the form of social media use; 68% had some form of problematic smartphone use, and 84% reported poor sleep quality. The PSQI score was most accurately predicted by problematic smartphone use (MREQ), followed by enrollment in the morning school shift, participation in sports, the father's education level, and knowledge that "smartphone use disturbs sleep", which together explained 23% of the variation in sleep quality. Excessive smartphone use may negatively affect sleep quality in adolescents. We recommended that interventions be implemented to educate adolescents about appropriate and healthy use of technology, in parallel with the promotion of preventive sleep habits.

Beyond the Screen: A Comprehensive Analysis of Emotional Skills and Social Networking in French Young Adults.

(1) Background: This study investigates the influence of social networks on young adults, focusing on both positive and negative impacts. It considers problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), emotional intelligence, empathy, and the phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). (2) Methods: A comprehensive online survey was conducted with 442 participants aged 18 to 30 years that used various psychometric tools to assess emotional intelligence, empathy, internet and social media use, and FoMO. (3) Results: The study revealed that young adults display low competencies in emotional intelligence and empathy, with a tendency towards problematic internet and social media use. High FoMO scores were observed, correlating with negative internet use outcomes. Gender differences in these aspects were also explored. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest a complex interaction between social network use, emotional skills, and FoMO that impacts young adults' mental health and social behaviors. This study highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of these relationships and their implications for well-being and social interaction in the digital age.

The impact of family climate on problematic internet use: Findings from one nationwide study in China

BackgroundWith the growing attention paid to problematic internet use (PIU), this study aims to i) explore the prevalence of PIU based on a nationally representative sample and ii) propose and validate the theoretical model that correlates family climate with PIU. MethodsOne national cross-sectional study was conducted with probability sampling and stratified sampling. Overall, 21,854 sample were included and analyzed. Validated measures of family climate, loneliness, and PIU was distributed and collected from June 2022 to August 2022. ResultsThe overall prevalence of PIU in the sample population is approximately 30.86 %. The model findings showed that family communication and family health had indirect effects of −0.12 and − 0.05 on PIU by the mediating effects of loneliness. The indirect effect explained 80.0 % of the total effect of family communication on PIU and 38.5 % of family health on PIU, highlighting the dominance effects of path family communication and PIU via loneliness. Extended family type (−0.047, p = 0.050), low family income (income≤3000 group, −0.127, p < 0.001) were identified as protective factors against PIU, while not living with family members (0.034, p = 0.021) was identified as risk factors of PIU. LimitationsThe nature of cross-sectional data have the limitation of preventing examining the casual relationships of PIU and the loneliness and family climate, in which future longitudinal study design is needed. ConclusionsThe high prevalence of PIU should be given adequate attention. Optimizing the family climate or family atmosphere by improving positive communication skills, providing family support and family health external resources can be served as effective strategies for controlling PIU.

The impact of anger on intertemporal decision-making in individuals with internet addiction: an fNIRS study.

Intertemporal decision-making is the choice between an immediate smaller reward (SS) and a delayed larger reward (LL). Intertemporal decision-making depends on the interaction of the cognitive and emotional systems, and the latter is particularly vital. According to the Appraisal Tendency Frame (ATF) theory, anger influences intertemporal decision-making by increasing an individual's sense of certainty and control. This study examined whether anger affects intertemporal decision-making in individuals with internet addiction (IA) in this manner and investigated its neural mechanisms. Nineteen individuals with IA and 20 healthy controls were recruited. All subjects performed the Monetary choice task under anger and neutral emotions while functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) equipment simultaneously recorded the hemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Individuals with IA showed a more considerable delay discount and lower brain activations in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-dlPFC) compared to HC. Moreover, individuals with IA made more LL choices in the angry condition than in the neutral emotion, yet there was no difference in HC. The brain activation in L-dlPFC of individuals with IA tends to increase in the angry condition compared to the neutral condition. These findings revealed that impairment of intertemporal decision-making in individuals with individuals with IA might be related to the dysfunction of OFC and L-dlPFC. Our work also provided initial footing for the applicability of the appraisal tendency frame theory to individuals with IA, and L-dlPFC might play a role in the effects of anger on intertemporal decision-making.

Mediating attentional control between depression and problematic Internet use in female adolescents: the role of attentional focusing and shifting.

Female adolescents are more prone to depression compared with male adolescents, and depression is often associated with poor attentional control and problematic internet use (PIU). Attentional control includes both focusing and shifting functions. Focusing refers to the ability to direct attention to a task despite distractions. Shifting refers to the ability to flexibly switch attention between different tasks. This study examines the mediating role of attentional focusing and shifting between depression and PIU. Female high school and college students (n = 476) in Taiwan participated in a survey administered at three time points over a seven-month period. The single- and two- mediator models examined their joint mediation effects. The results showed that the direct effect of depression on PIU was significant. The indirect effects also showed that attentional focusing was a negative partial mediator in the relationship between depression and PIU, while attentional shifting was not one. Informed by attentional theory and digital emotion regulation, addressing depression to mitigate its negative impact on attentional control and negative emotions is crucial. The potential impact, whether harmful or beneficial, of adolescents carefully selecting their online activities to reduce the risk of PIU remains contentious. Given the focus on Taiwanese adolescent girls during the COVID-19 pandemic, further research is needed to extend the applicability of the theory to other periods without being affected by COVID-19.

Parents' Challenges To Stop School-Age Children From Developing An Internet Addiction Through Conscious Parenting And Parental Mediation

Background: In today's digital age, many millennial parents experience conflicts with their children, which can lead to a lack of proper guidance. This often occurs when parents, feeling helpless, try to curb their children's excessive internet use, potentially reducing symptoms of internet addiction. In the context of elementary school students, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between attentive parenting, parent mediation, and dependency on the Internet. Methods: This investigation makes use of a cross-sectional design in conjunction with an analytical correlation approach. The sample consists of 119 parents of elementary school students, selected from a population of 169 through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using three questionnaires: the parental model, meditation in parenthood, and online addiction tests. Internet addiction, attentive parenthood, and parent arbitration are investigated. Spearman's Rho was used for data analysis. Result: The results indicated a strong association between parenting intervention and internet addiction, as shown by the Rank Spearman statistical test showing ρ = 0.000 &lt; α = 0.05. Furthermore, the statistical test revealed that the correlation coefficient (ρ) was 0.000, which is less than the significance level (α) of 0.05. This indicates a substantial association between attentive parenting and internet addiction. Conclusion: Internet addiction in primary school-aged children may be avoided with the support of attentive parenthood and mediation by parents. To reduce their child's risk of addiction, parents should supervise their children's internet usage and adopt good parental techniques.

Личностные факторы риска развития интернет-зависимости у подростков 15–17 лет

Internet addiction formation and manifestations are a relevant trend in contemporary research. It is important to identify adolescents who have risk of developing Internet addiction so that early interventions can be made and certain impacts can be exerted on personal characteristics that contribute to formation of persistent addictive behavior able to affect health. The aim of this study was to establish personal risk factors of developing Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A comprehensive study was carried out on 407 adolescents aged 15–17 years who attended comprehensive secondary schools in Ivanovo. To assess the Internet addiction in adolescents, S. Chen’s method was used; personal characteristics of adolescents were determined using the Eysenck test. Mental performance was assessed based on the results of proofreading tests (M.V. Antropova); academic performance was estimated per the average score. Data were statistically analyzed using conventional methods of variation statistics. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, and centroversion in boys are risk factors able to cause formation of Internet ad-diction in adolescents; an increase in the severity of neuroticism in these groups combined with a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance is also a risk factor of Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A direct correlation was found between the Internet addiction score and the level of neuroticism. At risk of Internet addiction, introversion was detected in girls more often than in boys, and extraversion and high neuroticism were detected in the group with Internet addiction. Boys with Internet addiction were more likely to have centroversion than girls. Adolescents with severe Internet addiction had the lowest levels of accuracy and mental performance quotient and lower academic performance. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, centroversion in boys, an increase in the severity of neuroticism, a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance are risk factors of Internet addiction formation in adolescents. This justifies the need to carry out sanitary and hygienic measures that should involve development of standards for safe Internet use and inclusion of psycho-prophylaxis

Personal risk factors of internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years

Internet addiction formation and manifestations are a relevant trend in contemporary research. It is important to identify adolescents who have risk of developing Internet addiction so that early interventions can be made and certain impacts can be exerted on personal characteristics that contribute to formation of persistent addictive behavior able to affect health. The aim of this study was to establish personal risk factors of developing Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A comprehensive study was carried out on 407 adolescents aged 15–17 years who attended comprehensive secondary schools in Ivanovo. To assess the Internet addiction in adolescents, S. Chen’s method was used; personal characteristics of adolescents were determined using the Eysenck test. Mental performance was assessed based on the results of proofreading tests (M.V. Antropova); academic performance was estimated per the average score. Data were statistically analyzed using conventional methods of variation statistics. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, and centroversion in boys are risk factors able to cause formation of Internet ad-diction in adolescents; an increase in the severity of neuroticism in these groups combined with a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance is also a risk factor of Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A direct correlation was found between the Internet addiction score and the level of neuroticism. At risk of Internet addiction, introversion was detected in girls more often than in boys, and extraversion and high neuroticism were detected in the group with Internet addiction. Boys with Internet addiction were more likely to have centroversion than girls. Adolescents with severe Internet addiction had the lowest levels of accuracy and mental performance quotient and lower academic performance. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, centroversion in boys, an increase in the severity of neuroticism, a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance are risk factors of Internet addiction formation in adolescents. This justifies the need to carry out sanitary and hygienic measures that should involve development of standards for safe Internet use and inclusion of psycho-prophylaxis

THEORETICAL STUDY OF INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF INTERNET ADDICTED PERSONS

People's interest in information technology and its activities directly affect the behavioral structures, emotional sphere and nervous system of a person in connection with his time standards. In the studies of scientists of the world, the influence of the internet and the problems of emotional intelligence on the emotional sphere of a person in a virtual environment from various scientific and theoretical points of view have been considered, and the empirical parts of the above studies have been covered. in our work. People now spend more of their free time watching videos, playing games, shopping on the internet and providing various services on the internet than interacting with people, which leads to the fact that interpersonal communication goes into the virtual environment. As a result, the ability to control time and behavior in the virtual world decreases. During stay in the online environment, the emotional sphere of a person is stimulated, and the attitude towards the environment changes. Human emotional intelligence decreases. In the real world, the ability to understand people's feelings, reduce the ability to control their expressions, cyber addiction, acceptance of the culture of the virtual environment acquire negative sides, as a result, their emotional intelligence decreases. This article examines the problem of internet addiction, its significance today and the psychological aspects of its impact on internet users, and also analyzes the socio-psychological factors that contribute to the formation of internet addiction in the context of research by scientists. A theoretical analysis of the individual psychological aspects of people with internet addiction was also conducted. Research object: 206 teenagers, 1st-4th year students studying at the Jizzakh branch of the National University of Uzbekistan. Average age: 20.7 years. Results: A group of teenagers prone to internet addiction are less aware of the place and place of using speech in interpersonal communication, which is an activity learned earlier in ontogenesis, and the opposite is observed in those prone to Internet addiction. Such people often make mistakes in interpreting the words of the interlocutor. The emotional intelligence of a teenager addicted to the Internet is significantly lower than the emotional intelligence of a teenager who uses the Internet less.