Reasons For Internet Use Research Articles

Internet Addiction and its Relationship with Attachment Styles Among Tunisian Medical Students

Internet addiction is a growing addictive behavior and a major public health problem worldwide. Several psychological factors can contribute to the problematic use of the Internet. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) in a sample of university students and to examine the relationship between IA, self-esteem, and attachment styles. The present study was a cross-sectional study, involving 135 students from the Faculty of Medicine of Monastir. The participants completed a questionnaire, which contained the socio-demographic data, the reasons for Internet use, the Young Cyberaddiction scale to seek IA, the Relationships-style-questionnaire-RSQ to assess attachment style, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The mean age of the students was 21.5 ± 1.9 years old. They were 112 (83%) females. The prevalence of Internet addiction was 23.7%. The average connection time was 3.5 ± 1.8 hours/day. The most frequent online activities were chat (online discussion, forums ...) in 94.8% of cases followed by download activities (78.5%), scientific research (75.6%), online games (23.7%), and online shopping (13.3%). IA was associated with school failure, alcohol use, online gaming, and low self-esteem. The majority of the participants (84.4%) in this study reported an insecure attachment style. Logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between IA and fearful attachment style. IA was frequent among students. Fearful attachment style was found to be a risk factor for IA. This study highlights the impact of relationships between child and their caregivers on the development of addiction.

Social Motivation as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use and Alcohol Use Among Adolescents in Mexico.

Prior research shows a link between alcohol use and problematic Internet use among adolescents. This relationship likely indicates a vulnerability to addiction; however, little is known about factors that may increase this vulnerability. One potential factor is social motivation. Adolescents often engage in Internet use and alcohol use as a way of connecting socially. This study examines the moderating effects of social motivation for Internet use on the relationship between problematic Internet use and alcohol use among adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 582 adolescents selected randomly from one middle school and one high school in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Participants answered questions related to demographics/background (including reasons for Internet use), problematic Internet use, and alcohol use. Hierarchical regression modeling examined the moderating effects of social Internet use on problematic Internet use and alcohol use, controlling for age and gender. Social Internet use and problematic Internet use accounted for a significant amount of variance in alcohol use (R2 = .126, F(4, 575) = 20.77, p < .001). When the interaction term was entered, social Internet use was found to moderate the relationship between problematic Internet use and alcohol use (β = .525, t = 3.293, p = .001), and the direct effects of social Internet use (β = -.062, t = -0.663, p = .507) and problematic Internet use (β = -.129, t = -1.053, p = .293) were no longer significant. This study highlights the role that social connections may play in contributing to problematic Internet use and alcohol use among adolescents. Interventions aimed at preventing problematic and addictive behaviors among adolescents should address the role of social motivations.

How Does the Change of Information Source Affect Residents' Risk Attitudes?

Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper investigates the effects of Internet use on residents’ risk attitudes. Both Generalized Ordered Logit Model and Logit model are used to identify the effects of Internet use. The results reveal an association between Internet use and increases in both subjective and objective risk preferences that remains even after we adjust for possible endogeneity. The heterogeneity analysis also reveals that these impacts are different among groups with different reasons for Internet use and different personal characteristics. Our study expands the research on the effects of Internet on people’s concepts from the micro perspective and suggests that while promoting the application of information technology we should also pay attention to the individual characteristics of residents so that we can better share the “digital dividend” brought by the popularization of information technology in the whole society.

Online Sex Addiction After 50: an Exploratory Study of Age-Related Vulnerability

The population of Internet users is ageing, yet online sex addiction research remains limited to younger age groups. Our study aimed to explore the association between online sex addiction and vulnerabilities related to older age, such as the absence of a partner, changes in work career, and boredom. Out of 2518 respondents who participated in an online survey, 158 (6.3%) were aged 50–77 and constituted the primary focus of the study. Linear regression analyses showed that occupational status, boredom (reasons for Internet use), and involvement in cybersex predicted online sex addiction, and that relationship status and offline sex had no effect on addictive behaviour. There was no evidence for a moderating effect from the occupational status on the relationship between boredom and online sex addiction. The results suggest that older age does not protect against the development of online sex addiction, and age-related vulnerability may amplify the risks.

Determinants of Internet Use and Internet Penetration in Eritrea: Evidences from the City of Asmara

This study is designed to determine the use of internet and internet penetration in the city of Asmara, Eritrea with a view to inform policy makers and societal stakeholders on the implications of user behavior for future Internet related options. Self-designed questionnaire was distributed to the districts of the city based on stratified sampling method. 300 (86%) of the 350 distributed questionnaires were found useable on return. However, only 232 (77%) respondents have acknowledged to have made use of the Internet in the last three months. The results show that there is a glaring difference between the genders; female being in the minority and generally the younger ones and young adults constituted the highest users; majority of users are single with senior secondary school certificate followed by college graduates as highest qualification. In addition, users prefer regular visit and shorter browsing hours and the reasons for Internet use follow the usual trend including e-mail, social networking, information searching and video/voice calling.

Internet use among university students: A reason for concern?

International studies reveal that students have more freedom, as well as unstructured and unsupervised time, which makes them susceptible to problematic internet use (PIU). Although students are a risk group for PIU, no evidence of local research on internet use among students could be identified. This article reports on a study on the nature and impact of internet use among students at a tertiary institution. A quantitative research approach was adopted and a survey with a group-administered questionnaire was conducted with 295 second-year students (between 18 and 25 years) registered for a module in a basic social science. Respondents were recruited through convenience sampling. The nature of internet use was explored with reference to internet platforms, reasons for internet use, devices for connecting to the internet, and the locations where respondents access the internet. The impact of internet use was explored through eight constructs adopted from two screening instruments in the public domain, i.e. the Internet-Related Addictive Behaviour Inventory and the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire. The research results were calculated by means of descriptive and association statistics, specifically the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and voluntary participation, were observed. The research results revealed that the respondents preferred email and chatting as internet platforms, while they used the internet mostly for extrinsic reasons, such as for assignments and socialising. Online activities occurred mostly on campus and at home during the early evenings via mobile phones or laptops. The respondents scored relatively low on the constructs measuring PIU. However, two constructs ‘escape from problems’ and ‘loss of control’ presented with markedly higher scores and could be flagged as potential risk areas. Furthermore, association statistics indicated a statistically significant difference of some constructs with regard to gender and the romantic relationship status of respondents, which could be considered in the provision of student support services. The development and evaluation of evidence-based interventions for the prevention, treatment and management of PIU are recommended.

Use of internet resources by patients awaiting gastroenterology consultation.

The purpose of this study is to understand how outpatients awaiting initial gastroenterology consultation seek medical information on the Internet and how wait times affect Internet usage. A cross-sectional survey of 87 gastroenterology outpatients awaiting consultation was performed at a tertiary care center. Fifty-two patients (60%) utilized the Internet for medical information. The mean age of patients using the Internet was 41 years, whereas the mean age of those not using the Internet was 60 years (p<0.0001). The Internet was used by 71% of females and 47% of males (p<0.05). Regarding the educational level, the Internet was sought by 33% of the patients possessing less than secondary school education, 59% possessing secondary school education, 66% with an undergraduate degree, and 100% with a postgraduate degree (p=0.14). The mean wait time for consultation for patients who utilized the Internet was 158 days, and for patients who did not was 147 days (p=0.60). The most common websites searched were medical, 71%. The most common medical information sought was symptoms and diagnosis by 85% of patients. The reasons for Internet use were wait times for 36% of patients and recommendation by a physician for 10%. Eighty seven percent of the patients who utilized the Internet believed that they suffered from an unidentified disease, whereas 46% of patients who did not utilize the Internet believed the same (p=0.0001). Younger patients and females were more likely to use the Internet, but wait times did not affect Internet usage. The Internet is a powerful patient resource; however, further physician guidance is required to help patients identify reliable resources.

Prevalence and determinants of Internet addiction among adolescents

BackgroundGlobally, it is agreed that the internet can serve as a tool that enhances well-being but there is no consensus regarding what constitutes problematic internet use and internet use relationship with offline behavioural addictions. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents and to determine whether it is a distinct disorder from offline behavioural addictions. MethodsUsing survey design, a total of 1022 University adolescents comprising undergraduates and postgraduates were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Revised Internet Addiction Test (RIAT), a questionnaire made up of EPQR-S Lie Scale, Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Internet Use Reasons, Hypersexual Behaviour Inventory and Problem Video Game Playing Scale. ResultsThere was prevalence of IA among the adolescents; the prevalence rate was 3.3%, in a male to female ratio of approximately 3:1. Adolescents’ online addiction was mainly influenced by extrinsic reasons for internet use, although there were few whose reasons for going online were mainly intrinsic. Using the internet to communicate on important matters, getting sex-oriented materials, and making money (especially amongst females) seemed to dominate addicts’ minds; thus, majority were ‘addicts on the internet’ and not ‘addicts to the internet’. ConclusionsOffline behavioural addictions was not an IA causal factor but rather a motivating factor, while intrinsic reasons for internet use was not found to be a reliable factor for distinguishing addicts from non-addicts.

Internet use in patients with cardiovascular diseases:BadBerka Cross-Sectional Study(BABSY)

Internet has become a significant resource for dissemination of medical information. We sought to investigate prevalence and usage patterns of Internet access among consecutive patients with cardiovascular diseases. A cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire as study tool. Among patients with Internet access, the type of health information sought and the impact of these on daily life were assessed. Of 1063 patients invited to the study, 1000 patients [68% male gender, mean age 66 ± 11 years (range 27-83 years)] agreed to complete the questionnaire. 216/1000 (21.6%) used Internet to obtain information related to their disease. The patient education was graded as: low (15%), medium (66%) and high (19%). Reasons for Internet use were as follows: 24-h availability 142/216 (65.7%); free of charge 58/216 (26.9%); and anonymity 50/216 (23.2%). Younger (≤ 66 years) age (35.2% vs. 15.3%; p = 0.0001), male gender (24.6% vs. 15.4%; p = 0.001) and higher education level (49.4% vs. 16.1%; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with Internet use. 30.6% (66/216) of Internet users changed their individual health behaviour attributable to information found on the Internet. However, this was not related to age, gender or level of education (p = 0.5, p = 0.6 and p = 0.4, respectively). Patients without Internet use obtain health information mainly from the pharmacist (62%) or from their treating physician (58%). A relevant number of patients with cardiovascular disease access the Internet for health information. The impact of such information on health-related behaviour in daily life was low.

Modelling Excessive Internet Use:s Revision of R. Davis's Cognitive-Behavioural Model of Pathological Internet Use

Modelling Excessive Internet Use:s Revision of R. Davis's Cognitive-Behavioural Model of Pathological Internet Use This article proposes a new model of excessive Internet use. The point of departure for the present study was the Cognitive-Behavioural Model of Pathological Internet Use developed by R. Davis (2001). The original model was modified so as to improve its explanatory power. Data were collected from 405 participants aged from 18 to 55 in various Polish towns and cities. The following instruments were administered to the participants: The Temperament and Character Inventory, J. Kuhl's Action Control Scale, The Berlin Social Support Scale, The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, The Excessive Internet Use Risk Scale, The Reasons for Internet Use and the Personal Data Questionnaire. The new model of excessive Internet use was empirically tested and proved to be satisfactory.

A survey of Internet utilization among patients with cancer

Recently published articles have established that a substantial number of cancer patients utilize the Internet to gather information about their respective diagnoses. The challenges for medical providers include understanding the prevalence and characteristics of patients using the Internet, reasons for Internet use, and the effectiveness of currently available websites in providing useful health-related information to patients. Adults with cancer were asked to complete a self-administered, anonymous, 21-item questionnaire upon registration at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at the Washington University School of Medicine. There were 500 respondents (mean age 58years (range 18-90), 83% Caucasian and 15% African-American). Three hundred ninety-eight participants (80%) reported access to the Internet, and 315 (63%) reported searching for information about cancer on the Internet. Patients accessing the Internet for cancer information were younger than those who did not (median age 56 vs. 63years; p < 0.001). Internet usage for cancer information also differed by race (p < 0.0001) and education (p < 0.0001). Among patients who searched the Internet for cancer information, 13.3% of patients had their decisions towards treatments affected or changed, and 11.4% of patients had their choice in physicians affected or changed because of Internet use; 23.5% of patients sought information on clinical trials, and 9.5% of patients were influenced or changed their decision regarding clinical trial enrollment due to Internet information. Approximately two thirds of patients with cancer used the Internet to obtain information about their disease. Factors affecting Internet use for cancer information included age, race, and education. Clinical decisions can be affected by Internet use.

Determinants of Internet use in Imo State, Nigeria

The research was designed to determine the use of internet in Imo state, Nigeria with a view to enlighten societal stakeholders on their implications to development. Self designed questionnaire was distributed to users from five internet centers in the three local government areas of Imo State. 219 (73%) of the 300 distributed questionnaires were found useable on return. The results show that: there was no glaring difference between the female and male users though female users were found among the adults; young adults constituted the highest users; majority of users are unmarried with senior secondary school certificate as highest qualification.; users prefer regular visit and longer browsing hours; reasons for internet use follow the conventional trend including E-mail, academic/research, leisure, employment and e-commerce. It is recommended that: Government should encourage parents to provide internet facilities in their homes to checkmate anti-social behaviour; the society should avert any social barrier discouraging young female adults from maximizing use; Internet centers should regulate web sites accessed by users and government should develop information policy to address social aspect of internet use. Key words: Internet use, Nigeria, sex, educational level, marital status, Impediments, determinants.

Attached to the web — harmful use of the Internet and its correlates

Background and aims The aim of this study was to test the validity of the Finnish version of the Internet Addiction Test and the correlates of harmful use of the Internet. Methods One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five students (45.5% men and 54.5% women, mean age 24.7 years, S.D. = 5.7) filled in a web-based questionnaire including IAT, reasons for use of the Internet, distress, social support, and substance use. Results Men had a statistically significantly higher mean score on the IAT than women. Subjects with self-reported use of cannabis had higher mean score on the IAT compared to non-users (39.5 [11.3] vs 35.8 [10.8]). The total IAT score was associated with “adult entertainment” (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.06–1.08, P < 0.001), “playing games” (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.04–1.06, P < 0.001), “chatting” (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.06–1.08, P < 0.001) and “discussion” (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.07–1.09, P < 0.001) as reasons for Internet use. The IAT score had a significant negative correlation with social support ( r = −0.24, P < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation with the CAGE score ( r = 0.18, P < 0.001). Using factor analysis, we found a single factor solution with a Cronbach's α of 0.92. Conclusions The IAT seems to provide a valid measurement of harmful use of the Internet, as the score was significantly associated with variables tapping psychopathology.

A survey of Canadian medical oncologists on internet use for medical information and a needs assessment for an oncology education website

17072 Background: The internet offers an innovative resource for medical oncologists to share and discuss important medical information and advances. Despite the existence of many websites with oncology related information, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of how Canadian medical oncologists use the internet to access this information. Purpose: In the first phase of developing a new educational website (OncologyEducation.com), we surveyed Canadian medical oncologists to determine how they used the internet to access information and to assess their needs for a web based educational resource. Method: A structured survey was developed and assessed for face and content validity by medical oncologists from our local institution. The survey had several domains including: comfort level with computers, description of internet use for work, and key features they would want in an educational website. The survey was sent to all medical oncologists in Canada via regular mail and e-mail. Results: 58 % (144/247) of medical oncologists responded to our survey. The number of years in practice varied from &lt;5 yrs (31%) to 5–10 yrs (30%), and 11–20 years (15%) with 85% having an academic appointment. 90% of respondents were comfortable with using a computer. The most common reasons for internet use were email (91%), literature updates (78%), and answering clinical questions (72%). 27% of respondents used the internet for clinical questions daily, and 29% on a weekly basis. 49% accessed the internet for work-related information for 1–5 hours weekly, 26% for 6–10 hours weekly, and 20% for more than 11hrs weekly. Respondents expressed a need for an educational website stressing the following content: (1) Canadian Oncologists Database to improve opportunities for collaboration (2) Key updates by disease sites (3) Access to information about upcoming conferences. Conclusion: The internet plays a major role in the daily clinical activities of Canadian medical oncologists. The development of an education website based on the needs assessed in this survey is warranted. We are currently developing this site (OncologyEducation.com) and plan to evaluate on an ongoing basis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Internet Use by Patients with Lymphoma and Caregivers.

The Internet is changing the way that people learn about health and illness. At present do not exist data of the use of Internet by patients of lymphoma and her caregivers in Spain.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and patterns of Internet use by patients with lymphoma and her caregivers.PATIENTS AND METHODS: 585 subjects (258 patients, 264 relatives and 63 health professionals), 228 male and 357 female, they have responded a questionnaire on diverse aspects of the use of Internet.RESULTS: Two hundred fifty (42,7%) subjects use Internet, although only 27% make to obtain data on lymphoma. With respect to the group of patients 31% recognize to use Internet, but only the 23,3% do it by questions related to their disease. The main reasons for Internet use are to obtain information about treatments (74.7%) or second opinion medical (9.3%). The 77,6% have been using Internet for more than 3 years; the 47,2% have university studies and the 58,4% have between 33–50 years. Mainly the information search is made in Spanish language and through the Google finder. They consider that Information on lymphoma is acceptable (44.9%) or of enough quality (43.7%), trustworthy (50.6%) or of enough reliability (33.5%) and useful (45.6%) or quite useful (37.3%).COMMENTARIES: This study contributes data on the use of Internet by patients with lymphoma and her caregivers in Spain. Oncologists should be familiar with this important resource to help patients access appropriate material.

Reasons for internet use and social anxiety

A reasons for Internet Use Questionnaire was developed to examine the relationship between internet use, social anxiety, general anxiety, and depression. Research suggests that socially anxious individuals may find it easier to interact online where anonymity can be maintained rather than engage in face to face interaction where being observed by others might induce a fear of negative evaluation. In line with the self-regulation model, it was hypothesised that social anxiety, low ego strength, anxiety and depression, would be related to use of the internet to cope with social fears. The results were partially in line with the hypothesis. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Reasons for Internet use by patients seeking infertility treatments

Objective: Reproductive medicine is extensively represented on the World Wide Web but the information provided is often incomplete, misleading or inaccurate; compounding this is the fact that there is little knowledge or research into where, how and why patients seeking infertility treatment consult the Internet. The dual purpose of our study was 1) to evaluate how infertile patients access and interpret reproductive information available on the Internet and 2) to assess their reasons for doing so.

The Interactive Advertising Model

The authors provide an integrative processing model of Internet advertising, which incorporates the functional and structural schools of thought. The model begins with the functional perspective, which attempts to identify reasons for Internet use. Since most individuals enter cyberspace with some goal, or agenda, in mind, the authors argue that a model of online processing should begin with consideration of Internet functions. These functions, according to the authors, operate conjointly with the user’s mode--ranging from highly goal-directed to playful--to influence the types of ads web users will attend to and process. A number of mediating variables, such as skill level, are offered as reasons to switch motives. These variables are conceptualized as having either a deleterious effect, as in the case of low skill and high anxiety, or beneficial effect, as in the case of high skill and low anxiety, on ad processing. Last, the authors incorporate a structural perspective, which seeks to identify and classify Internet ads. The authors offer a broad scheme in which to classify most Internet ads, as well as a number of common features unique to these ads. The authors conclude by offering a number of hypotheses suggested by the model.