Internet Dependency Research Articles

Vulnerabilities to misinformation in online pharmaceutical marketing

Given the large percentage of Internet users who search for health information online, pharmaceutical companies have invested significantly in online marketing of their products. Although online pharmaceutical marketing can potentially benefit both physicians and patients, it can also harm these groups by misleading them. Indeed, some pharmaceutical companies have been guilty of undue influence, which has threatened public health and trust. We conducted a review of the available literature on online pharmaceutical marketing, undue influence and the psychology of decision-making, in order to identify factors that contribute to Internet users' vulnerability to online pharmaceutical misinformation. We find five converging factors: Internet dependence, excessive trust in the veracity of online information, unawareness of pharmaceutical company influence, social isolation and detail fixation. As the Internet continues to change, it is important that regulators keep in mind not only misinformation that surrounds new web technologies and their contents, but also the factors that make Internet users vulnerable to misinformation in the first place. Psychological components are a critical, although often neglected, risk factor for Internet users becoming misinformed upon exposure to online pharmaceutical marketing. Awareness of these psychological factors may help Internet users attentively and safely navigate an evolving web terrain.

Extending the Study of Videogame Dependency

This article starts with the observation that the scientific and social debate on video game and internet dependency is driven by naturalist research standpoints used in psychology and neuroscience, while sociology and related disciplines in human and social studies widely ignore the phenomenon. This can be viewed as an unnecessary thematic self-exclusion of sociology regarding its fruitful former discussion and analyses of dependency in general. After highlighting some of these studies, the article gives insight into an empirical research project which partly takes up this sociological tradition and transfers it to video game dependency: as part of a qualitative submodule of a study by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony (KFN) on behalf of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture, 15 biographical narrative interviews were conducted with video gamers of both sexes who, according to the CSAS-II screening instrument and/or self-analysis, are currently video game dependent or have been at some time in the past. Based on empirical analysis from this project, it is argued that video game and internet dependency not only deserve sociological consideration, but that a sociological analysis is vital in order to arrive at a more differentiated understanding of these complex phenomena.

The Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Depression Among Migrant Children and Left-Behind Children in China

With greater Internet availability, the pathological use of the Internet has become an emerging mental health issue among adolescents in China. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between Internet addiction and depression in migrant children (MC) and left-behind children (LBC). The present study was conducted using a cross-sectional design with 3,254 participants (8-17-years old), which included 1143 LBC, 574 MC, and 1287 nonleft-behind rural children (RC) from 12 schools. Young's 8-item Internet Addiction Scale was used to assess Internet dependency. The Children's Depression Inventory-Short Form was used to measure child depression. The results showed that the prevalence of depression was 10.9 percent among RC, 19.7 percent among MC, and 14.3 percent among LBC. The prevalence of Internet addiction was 3.7 percent among RC, and was 6.4 percent among MC and 3.2 percent among LBC. Depression was effected by the interaction between types of children and Internet addiction. LBC with Internet addiction (odds ratio [OR], 2.780; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.237-6.248), MC with Internet addiction (OR, 2.922; 95 percent CI, 1.116-7.652), and MC with no Internet addiction (OR, 2.735; 95 percent CI, 1.974-3.789) had higher risks of depression than that for RC with no-Internet addiction. The results indicated that Internet addiction might be associated with an increased risk of depression in LBC, and migration was an important risk factor for child depression.

How young Chinese depend on the media during public health crises? A comparative perspective

Under the framework of media system dependency theory, this study investigates and compares traditional media dependency and Internet dependency in public health crisis situations in the context of Mainland China. 373 college students participated in the survey. Empirical data demonstrated that, during public health crises: (1) traditional media and the Internet play different roles for individuals; (2) higher level of threat perception leads to more intense Internet dependency, but does not do the same to traditional media dependency; (3) individuals’ Internet dependency intensity is higher than their traditional media dependency intensity; and (4) the Internet may influence the behavior of young Chinese more directly.

Computer playfulness, Internet dependency and their relationships with online activity types and student academic performance.

Prior research on Internet dependency has examined various individual traits as contributing factors. Since domain-specific traits tend to have higher abilities to explain outcome variables, this study investigates a technology-related specific trait, i.e., computer playfulness, as a predictor of Internet dependency, and their influence on Internet usage patterns and academic performance. A sample of 267 college students was surveyed to examine these relationships. In addition to demographic information, the questionnaire contained measurement scales to assess playfulness, Internet dependency as well as work/study-related and social-related uses of the Internet. Survey data indicate that playfulness significantly predicts Internet dependency (ΔR (2) = 19%). Playfulness is also significantly related to students' grade point average (p <.001), as well as Internet use for social purposes (p <.022), and its impacts are fully mediated by Internet dependency. It was also found that neither playfulness nor Internet dependency is significantly associated with Internet use for work/study purposes. Playfulness, as a domain-specific individual trait, is a powerful predictor of Internet dependency, which is positively related to social use of the Internet, and negatively related to student academic performance.

Validity of the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test

The use of the Internet has been increasing dramatically over the decade in Malaysia. Excessive usage of the Internet has lead to a phenomenon called Internet addiction. There is a need for a reliable, valid, and simple-to-use scale to measure Internet addiction in the Malaysian population for clinical practice and research purposes. The aim of this study was to validate the Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test, using a sample of 162 medical students. The instrument displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .91), parallel reliability (intraclass coefficient = .88, P < .001), and concurrent validity with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (Pearson's correlation = .84, P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that 43 was the optimal cutoff score to discriminate students with and without Internet dependence. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation identified a 5-factor model. The Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test appeared to be a valid instrument for assessing Internet addiction in Malaysian university students.

P-63 - Internet dependence in polish middle and high school students

Internet dependence becomes our day growing up psychosocial problem. We tried to measure intensity of internet addiction according to Internet Addiction Test of Polish middle and high school students. We examined 175 middle school students and 357 high school students. Average age of examined students was 16,4 years. Our own Sociodemographic Inventory, Internet Addiction Test by Young, based on which we distinguished the group of 170 students (60 girls and 101 boys) in the preliminary phase of internet addiction and those who are not internet dependent. 1. Middle school students are significantly more internet dependent than high school students. 2. Middle school students significantly tend to prolong the time of internet use, they believe that life without internet is empty and boring. 3. Middle school girls significantly more often than high school girls prolong the internet time, try ineffectively to limit the time online, they have also more intensive abstinence symptoms. 4. The boys significantly more often tend to prolong time online and tend to shortened the sleep time because of internet usage.

The Impact of e‐Government Promotion in Europe: Internet Dependence and Critical Mass

AbstractGovernments and public bodies have been fostering the development of e‐Government services during the last decade, promoting more and better administrative services through digital channels. The impact of this process, however, has not been fully assessed. This article investigates the relative impact of two key factors on the diffusion of e‐Government services; the level of Internet penetration and investment by governments in more and better government services. The aim is to analyze across European countries the impact of e‐Government policies on their adoption, under different levels of Internet penetration, enabling an assessment of how promotion of e‐Government (through investment in more and better services, for example) can have the maximum impact on citizenship adoption. It reports analysis of a cross‐sectional dataset of European countries using a Bayesian linear model. Results show that when Internet users are scarce, policies to foster e‐Government adoption will have little ‐ although not negligible ‐ impact. But at a certain level of Internet penetration, focused e‐Government policies have a substantial impact on citizens' adoption of the technology. The results also highlight the importance of investing in e‐Government in the appropriate moment, that is, when its impact can be greatest. The paper, then, addresses the factors that make eGovernment policy more effective. The Bayesian inference used allows the research to avoid artificial assumptions common in comparative politics research, to design more flexible models and to present the results in a more natural way.

Internet and mobile phone text-messaging dependency: Factor structure and correlation with dysphoric mood among Japanese adults

Unhealthy use of the Internet and mobile phones is a health issue in Japan. We solicited participation in this questionnaire-based study from the employees of a city office in Kumamoto. A total of 92 men and 54 women filled in the Internet Addiction Questionnaire (IAQ), the Self-perception of Text-message Dependency Scale (STDS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The prevalence of “light Internet addiction” and “severe Internet addiction” were 33.7% and 6.1% for men whereas they were 24.6% and 1.8% for women. The prevalence of “light mobile phone text-message addiction” was 3.1% for men and 5.4% for women. There were no cases of “sever text-message addiction”. We found a two-factor structure for the IAQ and a three-factor structure for the STDS. We also performed an EFA of the IAQ and STDS subscales, and this revealed a two-factor structure – Internet Dependency and Text-message Dependency. An STDS subscale, Relationship Maintenance, showed a moderate factor loading of the factor that reflected unhealthy Internet use. In a path analysis, Depression was associated with both Internet Dependency and Text-message Dependency whereas Anxiety was associated negatively with Text-message Dependency. These results suggest applicability of the IAQ and STDS and that Internet and Text-message Dependences are factorially distinct.

W03-02 - Depression and internet addiction: Correlation and treatment approaches

IntroductionWith increasing use of Internet in everyday life there is the risk of developing Internet dependency that can be correlated with depression. Is the internet an antidepressant or Internet addiction often causes mood-altering side effects?ObjectivesThe focus is to examine correlation between depression and Internet addiction, as well as potential treatment approaches.AimsThe aim of the study was to evaluate treatment approaches and the correlation between depression and Internet addiction(IA) by use of Telepsychiatric service.MethodsA total of 100 Bosnian clients were studied. Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI) was used, by Telepsychiatric service, to assess state measures of symptom severity. First, they were evaluated for their severity of Internet addiction with consideration of their behavioral characteristics and their primary purpose for computer use by IAT. Second, we investigated Depression by Telepsychiatry service with BDI and ZDI scale. Third, we investigated correlations between depression and Internet addiction.ResultsThe symptoms of IA had been founded at 59% and 41% of patients had no IA. Symptoms of depression had been found at 45% patients. Internet addiction was significantly associated with depressive symptoms; IA and depression had been found at 41% patients (P &lt; 0.01).ConclusionsThis study reveals a significant association between Internet addiction and depressive symptoms.

Academic self-efficacy and academic procrastination as predictors of problematic internet use in university students

Although computers and the internet, indispensable tools in people’s lives today, facilitate life on the one hand, they have brought new risks with them on the other. Internet dependency, or problematic internet use, has emerged as a new concept of addiction. Parallel to this increasing in society in general, it is also on the rise among university students and is widely believed to have a negative impact on their lives. The aim of this study was to investigate whether academic self-efficacy and academic procrastination can act as predictors of problematic internet use among university students. The study group consisted of 398 students attending education, medicine, architecture and economics programs at the Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey. The Problematic Internet Use Scale, Academic Self-efficacy Scale, Academic Procrastination Scale and a Personal Data Form were used as scaling instruments. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data collected. The results show a significant negative correlation between academic self-efficacy and problematic internet use, while the relation between problematic internet use and academic procrastination was not statistically significant. Furthermore, academic self-efficacy was determined to be a significant predictor of problematic internet use. The results also show a significant difference in problematic internet use in terms of students’ programs, though levels of problematic internet use did not differ in terms of sex or ownership of a computer. These findings are discussed in the light of the relevant literature and some new directions for further studies are suggested.

The Relationship Between Internet Dependency with Sensation Seeking and Personality

The purpose of present study was to predict internet dependency by sensation seeking, big five personality factors and gender. Hence, sample of 179 undergraduate students (109 female and 70 male) were selected from University of Tehran using cluster sampling. The instruments consisted of the IAT, SSS-V and NEO-PI-R. Results revealed a positive significant relation (P<0.01) between internet dependency with overall sensation seeking and sub scales of disinhibition and boredom susceptibility; a negative significant relation (P<0.05) was also found between internet dependency with agreeableness and conscientiousness. Enter method of multiple regression analysis, with the presence of all predictor variables (sensation seeking and its four subscales, big five personality factors and gender) indicated 24 percent of changes in internet dependency.

The comparison of sensation seeking and five big factors of personality between internet dependents and non-dependents

The purpose of this study was to compare sensation seeking and five big factors of personality between internet dependent and non-dependent users. Hence, sample of 179 undergraduate students (109 female and 70 male) were selected from University of Tehran using cluster sampling and based on upper and lower limits, 29 students from each group were investigated. IAT, SSS-V and NEO-PI-R were used as instruments. According to the findings, sensation seeking of internet dependents was significantly (P<0.001) different from non-dependents. Internet dependents showed significantly higher scores on subscales of thrill and adventure seeking (P<0.05), disinhibition and boredom susceptibility (P<0.001) compared with non-dependents.

Construct validation of the Use, Abuse and Dependence on the Internet inventory

This study aims to validate the structure of the Use, Abuse and Dependence on the Internet (UADI) inventory on a sample of 1056 high school ( n = 820) and university ( n = 236) students. In particular, we performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on sub-samples (cross-validation), tested the construct convergent validity, and tested correlations of UADI dimensions with HEXACO personality inventory (HEXACO-PI, where HEXACO stands for the six assessed dimensions: Honesty–Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience) and external criteria (daytime internet use, etc.). Five dimensions (Compensatory Escape, Dissociation, Real Life Impact, Experience Making and Addiction) were best captured by a second-order factor structure with a factor reflecting Real Life Impact and Dependence saturated by the other four dimensions. This latter factor converged with other traditional measures of internet dependence. The results are discussed in light of the relationships with validity criteria.

Pathological Internet use and psychiatric disorders: A cross-sectional study on psychiatric phenomenology and clinical relevance of Internet dependency

Background and Objectives: With the Cyberspace's exponential growth of influence questions arise about its mental impacts. The presented study examines the question whether the dependent use of the Internet can be understood as an impulse con- trol disorder, an addiction or as a symptom of other psychiatric conditions. Methods: Internet dependent patients seeking for psychiatric assistance and fulfilling the criteria for pathological Internet use (PIU) were examined with the Structured Clinical Inter- view according to DSM-IV (SCID), and a variety of questionnaires including the Barratt Im- pulsiveness Scale (BIS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Dissociative Experi- ence Scale (DES). The patient group was compared to a matched group of healthy controls. Results: The adult patient-group consisted of 25 subjects, 76% male, with a mean age of 29.36 years. Average time spent in Cyberspace was 6.47 h/d, mostly in online-role- playing games. According to SCID I and BDI, 19 patients (76%) suffered from a depres- sive syndrome, with 10 cases of major depressive disorder (40%) and 8 cases of adjust- ment disorder with depression (32%). Six patients (24%) suffered from a comorbid anxiety disorder. Compared to controls, the patient group presented significantly higher levels of depression (BDI), impulsivity (BIS) and dissociation (DES). Conclusions: PIU shares common psychopathological features and comorbidities with substance related disorders. Therefore, it might be seen as a diagnostic entity in itself in a spectrum of behavioural and substance dependencies. Especially Internet role play may contain an addictive potential for adolescents and adults with subclinical psychopathology.

Commonalities in the Psychological Factors Associated with Problem Gambling and Internet Dependence

The most commonly applied conceptual approach for excessive Internet use has been as a behavioral addiction, similar to pathological or problem gambling. In order to contribute to the understanding of Internet dependence as a disorder resembling problem gambling, the current study aimed to examine the relationship between problem gambling and Internet dependence and the degree to which psychological factors associated with problem gambling are relevant to the study of Internet dependence. The factors of depression, anxiety, student stressors, loneliness, and social support were examined in a sample of university students from several Australian universities. The findings revealed that there is no overlap between the populations reporting problem gambling and Internet dependence, but that individuals with these disorders report similar psychological profiles. Although requiring replication with larger community samples and longitudinal designs, these preliminary findings suggest that problem gambling and Internet dependence may be separate disorders with common underlying etiologies or consequences. The implications of the findings in relation to the conceptualization and management of these disorders are briefly discussed.

Mental Health, Personality, and Parental Rearing Styles of Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder

The objectives of this study were to compare the personality profiles of adolescent males with and without Internet addiction disorder (IAD), and to determine if IAD is associated with specific parental rearing behaviors. A total of 304 subjects (204 IAD positive and 100 IAD negative controls) completed three instruments: Symptom Checklist-90-revision (SCL-90-R), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised (EPQ-R), and Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran--'My Memories of Upbringing' (EMBU). SCL-90-R profiles of adolescents with IAD revealed comparatively higher mean scores for all of the nine domains, and significantly higher scores for obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and paranoid ideation; the mean global symptom index of adolescents with IAD was also significantly higher by approximately 10%. EPQ profiles of adolescents with IAD showed that Internet-dependent individuals tended to exhibit a significantly lower degree of extraversion and a significantly higher degree of psychoticism when compared with the control group. EMBU profiles revealed that adolescents with IAD generally rated both maternal and paternal rearing practices as lacking in emotional warmth, being over-involved, rejecting, and punitive (mothers only). The results of this study confirm that IAD often occurs concurrently with mental symptoms and personality traits such as introversion and psychoticism. Adolescents with IAD consistently rated parental rearing behaviors as being over-intrusive, punitive, and lacking in responsiveness. These findings suggest that the influences of parenting style and family function are important factors in the development of Internet dependency.

New Research Looks at Internet Dependency and the Impact of Violent Video Games

New Research Looks at Internet Dependency and the Impact of Violent Video Games

Quality of Interpersonal Relationships and Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence

International literature has identified a stable correlation between problems in the sphere of adolescents' personal relationships and potential Internet dependence. The objective of this research is to verify in an Italian context the relationship among problematic Internet use (PIU), the quality of interpersonal relationships, and the cognitive strategies habitually used by adolescents to face daily problems. The participants in the research were 98 adolescents ages 14 to 19 (M = 16.28 years). The following instruments were administered to the participants: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Test of Interpersonal Relationships (TRI); and the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist (CCSC). Parents of the participants were administered the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Of the participants, 36.7% showed signs of PIU. These adolescents use the Internet for many hours per week; most utilize dysfunctional coping strategies and show worse interpersonal relations than peers who do not show signs of PIU.

Is there a relationship between Internet dependence and eating disorders? A comparison study of Internet dependents and non-Internet dependents

Several studies have examined the underlying psychopathology in overuse of the Internet, including depression, social anxiety, and substance dependence. A relationship between these psychological disorders appears to exist. No links have been established between Internet dependence and eating disorders. Fifty-four Internet dependents were compared with a control group concerning symptomatic aspects of eating disorders and psychological characteristics related to eating disorders. They all belonged to 1199 respondents of Chinese secondary school and college students between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. A Mann-Whitney U-test was used to determine the difference between Internet dependent groups and non-Internet dependent groups concerning Eating Attitudes Test and Eating Disorder Inventory scores. Females and male Internet dependents rated themselves with significantly higher symptomatic aspects of eating disorders than control groups. Female and male Internet dependents showed significantly higher psychological characteristics related to eating disorders than control groups. A relationship between Internet dependence and eating disorders appears to exist.