Internet addictive behavior in adolescence: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries (original) (raw)
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Excessive internet use in European adolescents: What determines differences in severity?
2015
Objectives This study investigated the differences between non-excessive, moderately excessive, and highly excessive internet use among adolescents. These differences were explored in terms of personal characteristics, psychological difficulties, environmental factors, and manner of internet use. Methods A representative sample was investigated, consisting of 18,709 adolescents aged 11–16 and their parents, from 25 European countries. Excessive internet use was measured using a five item scale covering following factors: salience, conflict, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse and reinstatement. The main data analysis utilised multinomial and binary logistic regression models. Results The vast majority of respondents reported no signs of excessive internet use. Moderately excessive users (4.4 %) reported higher emotional and behavioural difficulties, but also more sophisticated digital skills and a broader range of online activities. The highly excessive users (1.4 %) differed from the non-excessive and moderately excessive users in their preference for online games and in having more difficulties with self-control. Conclusions Adolescents who struggle with attention and self-control and who are inclined toward online gaming may be especially vulnerable to the otherwise uncommon phenomenon of excessive internet use.
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Over the last few years, there has been increased interest in the addictive potential of the Internet. The current study was an attempt to replicate common findings in the literature and provide more evidence for the existence of Internet addiction among students-a population considered to be especially vulnerable. A total of 371 British students responded to the questionnaire, which included the Pathological Internet Use (PIU) scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a self-esteem scale, and two measures of disinhibition. Results showed that 18.3% of the sample were considered to be pathological Internet users, whose excessive use of the Internet was causing academic, social, and interpersonal problems. Other results showed that pathological Internet users had lower self-esteem and were more socially disinhibited. However, there was no significant difference in GHQ scores. These results are discussed in relation to the methodological shortcomings of research in the area as a whole.
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Predictive factors and psychosocial effects of Internet addictive behaviors in Cypriot adolescents
International journal of adolescent medicine and health, 2014
Background: Internet addictive behaviors are associated with a plethora of psychosocial adversities. The study objectives were to assess the determinants and psychosocial correlates associated with Internet addictive behaviors among adolescents. A cross-sectional study design was applied among a random sample (n=805) of Cypriot adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years). Self-completed questionnaires, including Internet use characteristics, Young Internet Addiction Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were utilized. Among the study population, the prevalence rates of borderline addictive Internet use (BIU) and addictive Internet use (AIU) were 18.4% and 2%, respectively. Adolescents with BIU had an increased likelihood of concomitantly presenting with abnormal peer relations (AOR: 5.28; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.37-23.38), conduct problems (AOR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.82-8.08), hyperactivity (AOR: 5.58; 95% CI: 2.58-12.10) and emotional symptoms (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.53-5.32). ...
CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN INTERNET ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS.doc
Internet has become a very important tool of communication, entertainment and education around the world, involving people of different ages. The investigation of excessive internet use and misuse and its effects on behavioral and emotional state, especially in adolescents, has become an area of great interest, (Greenfield, 2006; Guan, 2009). Internet addiction or pathological internet use has gained a worldwide interest in psychopathology, as has been partially included in the new edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-V, 2013). The Dysfunctional Internet Behavior (DIB) or Internet Addictive Behavior (IAB) is characterized by the loss of control over internet use. DIBs may potentially lead to the loss of social abilities and isolation, as well as to the neglect of school and social activities and/or health, personal care and hygiene of adolescents (EU.NET.ADB, 2012). A European research protocol (EU.NET.ADB., 2012) was performed in order to examine the relationships between internet use and Internet Addictive Behaviors (IABs) among adolescents from seven European countries: Greece, Netherlands, Iceland, Poland, Romania, Germany and Spain. Adolescents ages between 14-17 years old participated in this study, between October 2011-October 2012. For the initial quantitative study, three types of questionnaires were given in order to evaluate the relationship of IAB with other psychosocial factors; initially 2.000 questionnaires were given per country. The importance of cross-cultural factors per country in the presence of DIBs is the main target of the current study. Eight specific factors were selected for the evaluation of correlation with the presence of IABs: 1. age, 2. gender., 3. parent’s educational level, 4. parental marital status 5. age of starting use of new technologies, 6. social network system (SNSs), 7. parent’s permission for Internet use and 8. parental control following internet use from adolescents. The influence of new media were also evaluated for the presence of IABs. The current study examined whether there is a significant correlation between IAB (DIBs) and other cross-cultural factors among adolescents from 7 different European countries. The correlation of those eight factors in the presence of IABs and the identification of the cross-cultural characteristics which are correlated with IABs, were investigated in the current study. The results of the study revealed the importance of the examination of SNSs and how these are correlated with the presence of IABs; there is a significant correlation with a dominant effect, of social network systems (SNSs) and parental control for the internet use in the presence of IABs for all participated countries. All the other factors showed different correlational levels per country, increasing or decreasing the percentages of IABs per country; the correlation of cultural factors in the presence of IABs per country were examined in the current study. Significant correlations between the eight selected cultural factors and the presence of IABs among adolescents, from the seven European countries were found; the use of SNSs and new media (i pads etc) , potentially influence the presence of IABs in adolescents. Educating programs in schools including training in e-safety environments as well increasing the parental control and awareness about the IABs will be some of key steps in order to prevent the presence of IABs in adolescent age.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 2013
This study examined how internet users' psychological characteristics, amount of internet use and demographic factors contribute to particular dimensions of internet addiction. The sample consisted of 384 adolescents, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years. Participants were asked to complete the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), measures of Locus of Control, Depression, Loneliness, Self-esteem, and Social Anxiety as well as an inventory that included demographic factors and questions about the amount of Internet use. Results revealed significant associations between variables and different sets of predictors across the four dimensions of Internet use behaviour identified in the study. However, locus of control, depression, and amount of internet use were significant predictors of all internet addiction dimensions. Recommendations are provided on how researchers can strengthen the field of research concerning how internet addiction is manifested and which adolescent internet users are more susceptible to different manifestations of addiction.
Prevalence and determinants of Internet addiction among adolescents
Computers in Human Behavior, 2014
Background: Globally, 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. Methods: Using 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. Results: There 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'. Conclusions: Offline 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.
Prevalence of the Pathological Internet Use in a Sample of Turkish School Adolescents
Iranian Journal of …, 2009
Background: The Internet addiction, also described as pathological Internet use (PIU), is conceptualized by an individual's inability to control his or her use of the Internet, which eventually causes marked distress and/or functional impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of the PIU among adolescence, in relation to different Internet activities, and to excessive use of the Internet in Samsun, Turkey. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 1 and 31, 2005 in Samsun, Turkey. In total, 1315 high school students (760 male, 555 female; mean age, 15.2±1.1 years) were recruited. A self-administered questionnaire and Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) was applied to the participants. Results: Although only 506 (38.5%) of the participants have a computer at their home, total 1054 (80.2%) used a computer at home or public, such as an internet cafe. Eight hundred and ten (76.9%) of the participants, used a computer, to access to the Internet. Of the internet users, 10(1.2%), 161 (19.9%) and 639 (78.9%) were Internet addicts (IAs), possible Internet addicts (PAs), and nonaddicts (NAs), respectively. It is found that males were more likely than females to be pathological users in this study (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Our results still demonstrate that the Internet plays an important role in the lives of Turkish adolescents.
Duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among European adolescents
Adicciones, 2014
Despite the significant contributions from previous studies about the prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) among adolescents in Europe, important questions remain regarding adverse consequences of PIU. This study aims to assess the relation between duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among adolescents from six European countries. The final sample included 7,351 adolescents (50.8% male and 49.2% female; mean age: 14.6±1.90) recruited from randomly selected schools within the six study sites. Results showed that 12.9% of adolescents used Internet more than 20 hours per week. There was a significant relationship between duration of Internet use and frequency of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other illegal drug use. Duration of Internet use is also significantly associated with school problems, with use of slot machines and with other psychosocial problems. These findings highlight the need to strengthen preventive efforts for reducing PIU and related conse...