The evolution of Internet addiction: A global perspective

Kimberly Young’s early work on Internet addiction (IA)has been pioneering and her early writings on the topic inspired many others to carry out research in the area. Young's (2015) recent paper on the 'evolution of Internet addiction' featured very little European research, and did not consider the main international evidence that has contributed to our current knowledge about the conceptualization, epidemiology, etiology, and course of Internet-related disorders. This short commentary paper elaborates on important literature omitted by Young that the present authors believe may be of use to researchers. We also address statements made in Young’s (2015) commentary that are incorrect (and therefore misleading) and not systematically substantiated by empirical evidence

The mediating effect of self-esteem, depression and anxiety between satisfaction with body appearance and problematic Internet use

Background and objectives: Given that dissatisfaction with bodily appearance can sometimes lead to the avoidance of personal contacts and the increase of internet use, this study examines this relationship. The direct role of dissatisfaction with bodily appearance along with the possible mediation effects of depression, anxiety and self-esteem were tested. Methods: A total of 694 participants completed an online questionnaire (58.5% male, mean age 21.5 years), containing measures on problematic internet use, depression and anxiety symptoms, self-esteem and satisfaction with body image. Path analyses were used to test direct and indirect effects. Results: Satisfaction with body appearance had a significant negative direct effect on problematic internet use among both sexes. Though, satisfaction with body appearance had a positive effect on self-esteem and negative on anxiety, neither self-esteem nor anxiety had a direct significant effect on problematic internet use. The effect of dissatisfaction with body appearance was mediated via the self-esteem–depression path toward problematic internet use. Conclusions: Dissatisfaction with physical appearance seems to have a significant role in individuals’ immersing themselves in internet use

Assessing Internet addiction using the parsimonious Internet addiction components model - a preliminary study [forthcoming]

Internet usage has grown exponentially over the last decade. Research indicates that excessive Internet use can lead to symptoms associated with addiction. To date, assessment of potential Internet addiction has varied regarding populations studied and instruments used, making reliable prevalence estimations difficult. To overcome the present problems a preliminary study was conducted testing a parsimonious Internet addiction components model based on Griffiths’ addiction components (2005), including salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse. Two validated measures of Internet addiction were used (Compulsive Internet Use Scale [CIUS], Meerkerk et al., 2009, and Assessment for Internet and Computer Game Addiction Scale [AICA-S], Beutel et al., 2010) in two independent samples (ns = 3,105 and 2,257). The fit of the model was analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results indicate that the Internet addiction components model fits the data in both samples well. The two sample/two instrument approach provides converging evidence concerning the degree to which the components model can organize the self-reported behavioural components of Internet addiction. Recommendations for future research include a more detailed assessment of tolerance as addiction component

Precursor or Sequela: Pathological Disorders in People with Internet Addiction Disorder

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the roles of pathological disorders in Internet addiction disorder and identify the pathological problems in IAD, as well as explore the mental status of Internet addicts prior to addiction, including the pathological traits that may trigger Internet addiction disorder. Methods and Findings: 59 students were measured by Symptom CheckList-90 before and after they became addicted to the Internet. A comparison of collected data from Symptom Checklist-90 before Internet addiction and the data collected after Internet addiction illustrated the roles of pathological disorders among people with Internet addiction disorder. The obsessive-compulsive dimension was found abnormal before they became addicted to the Internet. After their addiction, significantly higher scores were observed for dimensions on depression, anxiety, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychoticism, suggesting that these were outcomes of Internet addiction disorder. Dimensions on somatisation, paranoid ideation, and phobic anxiety did not change during the study period, signifying that these dimensions are not related to Internet addiction disorder. Conclusions: We can not find a solid pathological predictor for Internet addiction disorder. Internet addiction disorder ma

The Influence of Self-Esteem and Locus of Control on Perceived Email Overload

As email use becomes more ubiquitous in organisations, negative effects that stem from its use are becoming more prevalent. This study considers Email Overload as a negative product of email use. It explores the link between the personality traits of Self-esteem and Locus of Control and Email Overload. Furthermore it proposes a link between the level of perceived Email Overload and individual productivity in the work place. A sample of 239 respondents from an engineering organisation was collected for this study. Using Partial Least Squares (PLS) results suggest a strong negative relationship between Email Overload and productivity, indicating that as perceived Email Overload increases, a person’s productivity decreases. Weaker links were formed with Self-esteem and Locus of Control to Email Overload

Hubungan antara Pengendalian Diri, Harga Diri, dan Adiksi Game Online pada Pemain Game Online di Indonesia

Objektif. Studi ini bertujuan untuk melihat gambaran hubungan antara harga diri, pengendalian diri, dan adiksi game online pada pemain game online di Indonesia.Metode. Total dari 230 pengguna game online Total partisipan sebanyak 230 partisipan termasuk 147 laki-laki (63,91%) dan 83 perempuan (36,08%), dengan rata-rata umur 20-24 tahun berpartisipasi dalam penelitian dan diminta untuk mengisi self report menggunakan kuesioner online. Kuesioner yang digunakan terkait data demografi dan karakteristik sampel, alat ukur adiksi game online (dimodifikasi dari alat ukur Internet Addiction dari Young, 1998), alat ukur harga diri (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale), dan Alat ukur self control (Brief Self Control Scale). Hasil. Penelitian bertujuan untuk melihat gambaran hubungan antara ketiga variabel, yaitu harga diri, pengendalian diri, dan adiksi game online. Berdasarkan hasil analisis yang dilakukan, ditemukan bahwa variabel Self control memiliki hubungan negatif yang signifikan terhadap adiksi game online (r= -.508, p= .00**) Variabel self esteem memiliki hubungan positif yang signifikan terhadap self control (r= 0,488, p= 0,00**). Sedangkan untuk variabel self esteem tidak memiliki hubungan yang signifikan terhadap adiksi game online (r= .320, p=.102*). Jika ditinjau dari persentase pengaruh tiap variabel self esteem dan self control terhadap variabel adiksi game online, didapatkan nilai korelasi kedua variabel self esteem dan self control sebesar R2=0,267, p0,05**. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa bahwa 26,7% varians dari adiksi game online dapat dijelaskan oleh variabel self esteem dan self control dan 73.3% varians dari adiksi game online dijelaskan oleh faktor lain

An Examination of Internet Effectiveness for Non-work Activities

The Internet is frequently used for non-work activities. When used for these purposes, the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing these leisure activities becomes an important consideration. Research literature has remained relatively silent in regards to the examination of accomplishing non-work tasks through the Internet. This study uses Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a basis to predict different types of common user web activities—entertainment, communicating, and information searching. Using Structured Equation Modeling, this paper examines the effectiveness of the Internet in accomplishing non-work activities. In this study, the overall analysis of the survey data suggests that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness predict all three types of Internet activities. The findings of this study suggest a refinement for constructs in web usage studies and contribute to the expanding of TAM to predict perceived effectiveness of Internet usage

The Effect of Internet Use in the Psychological Health for University Students

Internet today is the most recent and important human technology, which is widely used, and its users are increasing. It is a phenomenon, which still has its primary attractiveness. This study examines the effect of Internet use and mental health in university student, and advantage and disadvantage of internet use, among 350 students at four university. The sample take randomly s from four universities in second year student. Study design: Our study is cross – sectional using quantitative approach. We distributed 350 questionnaires for students at (Hebron &Polytechnic& Bethlehem, al-Quds university) universities. Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, v 21). The result Gender, It found 57.2% of participant's female and 42.8 % male. Marital status, it is found 93% single, 5.7 % married and this due the participant's university student and its young. Place Palestine live in different place 52.1% live in village, and 42.5% city, and 4.8% camps. Monthly income, it’s found 48% the monthly income less than 3000 s and, 20% monthly income 3000-4500s, 22.6% monthly income more than 4500s. 90% from student the internet is advantage, 59% from student have a disadvantage for internet, there were no statistically significant differences at the level of (≤0.05) to use the Internet attributed to gender, income, place, use of internet. In addition, have relationship between use of internet and academic achievements. The recommendation for universities to define a positive and negative effect of the Internet. Further study about use the Internet and relation to psych health student, encourage the student to use internet safety