Internet addiction: a systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade

In the last decade, Internet usage has grown tremendously on a global scale. The increasing popularity and frequency of Internet use has led to an increasing number of reports highlighting the potential negative consequences of overuse. Over the last decade, research into Internet addiction has proliferated. This paper reviews the existing 68 epidemiological studies of Internet addiction that (i) contain quantitative empirical data, (ii) have been published after 2000, (iii) include an analysis relating to Internet addiction, (iv) include a minimum of 1000 participants, and (v) provide a full-text article published in English using the database Web of Science. Assessment tools and conceptualisations, prevalence, and associated factors in adolescents and adults are scrutinised. The results reveal the following. First, no gold standard of Internet addiction classification exists as 21 different assessment instruments have been identified. They adopt official criteria for substance use disorders or pathological gambling, no or few criteria relevant for an addiction diagnosis, time spent online, or resulting problems. Second, reported prevalence rates differ as a consequence of different assessment tools and cut-offs, ranging from 0.8% in Italy to 26.7% in Hong Kong. Third, Internet addiction is associated with a number of sociodemographic, Internet use, and psychosocial factors, as well as comorbid symptoms and disorder in adolescents and adults. The results indicate that a number of core symptoms (i.e., compulsive use, negative outcomes and salience) appear relevant for diagnosis, which assimilates Internet addiction and other addictive disorders and also differentiates them, implying a conceptualisation as syndrome with similar etiology and components, but different expressions of addictions. Limitations include the exclusion of studies with smaller sample sizes and studies focusing on specific online behaviours. Conclusively, there is a need for nosological precision so that ultimately those in need can be helped by translating the scientific evidence established in the context of Internet addiction into actual clinical practice

The development of the Turkish Craving for Internet Gaming Scale (CIGS): a validation study

As the use of digital technology has increased, abuse and addiction to technology have been identified among a minority of users. In the mid-1990s, the concept of internet addiction was first used. Today, almost every digital technology use has been claimed to have a minority of disordered users. One key aspect of addictive substance behaviors is craving. Craving is also an important component of behavioral addictions including digital technology disorders such as Internet Gaming Disorder. The aim of the present study was to develop the Turkish version of the Craving for Internet Gaming Scale (CIGS) via an adaptation of the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS). The present study comprised 368 adolescents from four different samples. The measures used included the Craving for Internet Gaming Scale, Digital Game Addiction Scale, and Brief Self-Control Scale. The structural validity of CIGS was investigated with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and criterion validity. The reliability of CIGS was evaluated using Cronbach α internal consistency reliability coefficient and corrected item total correlation coefficients. As a result of EFA, it was found that the five-item CIGS had a single-factor structure. The unidimensional CIGS obtained as a result of EFA was tested with CFA. As a result of CFA, the unidimensional structure of CIGS was confirmed in two different samples. Criterion validity of CIGS was assessed via digital gaming addiction, self-discipline, impulsiveness, daily internet gaming duration, and internet gaming history. As a result of criterion analysis, CIGS was associated with these variables in the expected direction. Finally, according to reliability analysis, the CIGS was found to be a reliable scale. When validity and reliability analysis of the CIGS are considered as a whole, it is concluded that the CIGS is a valid and reliable scale that assesses craving for internet gaming

Uso y abuso de las redes sociales por parte de los adolescentes: un estudio en México

El uso abusivo y problemático de las diferentes tecnologías ha conducido al desarrollo de una línea de investigación centrada en el estudio de la adicción a estas y sus consecuencias. Por ello, algunos estudios se han enfocado en internet y su relación con problemas de tipo físico-biológico, social y familiar. Esta investigación se planteó examinar el nivel de adicción de los jóvenes mexicanos a las redes sociales online mediante la adaptación de la escala de Sahin (“Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form”). Además, se analizó la existencia de respuestas diferenciadas en términos de género en la muestra utilizada que consistió en 605 estudiantes de preparatoria (296 hombres y 309 mujeres). Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes no se autoperciben como adictos a las redes sociales online. Por otro lado, no hay diferencias significativas en sus respuestas en términos de género. Estos resultados deben ser considerados dentro de sus limitaciones relacionadas con las características de la muestra y el hecho de que se examinaron las autopercepciones de los estudiantes.The abusive and problematic use of a variety of technologies has led to the development of research focusing on the study of addiction to such technologies and the consequences this brings. Therefore, some studies have focused on the Internet and its relationship with physicalbiological, social and family problems. This research sought to examine the extent of addiction of young Mexicans to online social media networks by adapting the Sahin scale (“Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form”). In addition, we analyzed the existence of differentiated responses in terms of gender in the sample used, which consisted of 605 high school students (296 men and 309 women). The results indicate that students do not perceive themselves as addicted to online social media networks. In other aspects, there are no meaningful differences in registered responses due to the gender of the participant. These findings should be considered within their limitations related to the characteristics of the sample and the fact that the students’ selfperceptions were examined

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF A TURKISH VERSION OF THE COMPULSIVE INTERNET USE SCALE

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) in a Turkish adolescent sample. The data were collected from 409 adolescents. The sample included 229 (56%) females and 180 (44%) males. The age of the participants ranged between 16 and 18 years with a mean age of 17.3 (SD= 1.3). Adolescent ages 16- 18).First, the factor structure of the scale was examined and the results of the explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the CIUS is a onedimensional construct.As for the convergent validity; the correlations of CIUS with measures of Internet addiction were examined. For divergent validity; the correlations of CIUS with measures of social and emotional loneliness and depression were examined. These results revealed strong correlations. Following, reliability wasexamined via internal consistency, test-re-test reliability coefficients and split-half correlation. Reliability analyses showed that the scale had high internal consistency, high test-retest and split half reliabilities. The results of the present study indicate that Turkish version of CIUS has good psychometric properties.Finally, findings were discussed in line with the relevant literature

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF A TURKISH VERSION OF THE COMPULSIVE INTERNET USE SCALE

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) in a Turkish adolescent sample. The data were collected from 409 adolescents. The sample included 229 (56%) females and 180 (44%) males. The age of the participants ranged between 16 and 18 years with a mean age of 17.3 (SD= 1.3). Adolescent ages 16- 18).First, the factor structure of the scale was examined and the results of the explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the CIUS is a onedimensional construct.As for the convergent validity; the correlations of CIUS with measures of Internet addiction were examined. For divergent validity; the correlations of CIUS with measures of social and emotional loneliness and depression were examined. These results revealed strong correlations. Following, reliability wasexamined via internal consistency, test-re-test reliability coefficients and split-half correlation. Reliability analyses showed that the scale had high internal consistency, high test-retest and split half reliabilities. The results of the present study indicate that Turkish version of CIUS has good psychometric properties.Finally, findings were discussed in line with the relevant literature

The Roles of Perceived Social Support, Coping, and Loneliness in Predicting Internet Addiction in Adolescents

The current research aims to examine the roles of perceived social support, coping, and loneliness when predicting the Internet addiction in adolescents. The research participants included 300 high school students, with an average age of 16.49 and SD=1.27, attending schools in a city in Southeastern Anatolian Region during 2015-2016 academic years. Participant adolescents included 180 females (60%) and 120 males (40%). Data collection was conducted through Short Form of Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Revised Form of Multi-Dimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Coping Scale for Children and Youth, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale – Short-Form. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used to analyze the research data. Research findings showed that perceived social support from significant other support, loneliness, and cognitive avoidance and problem solving among coping strategies significantly predicted Internet addiction. Family support and friend support as sub-dimensions of perceived social support and assistance seeking and behavioral avoidance among coping strategies were not found to predict Internet addiction. Research findings were discussed based on the relevant literature, interpreted, and suggestions for researchers were put forward. Keywords: Internet addiction, perceived social support, coping strategies, loneliness, adolescent

Investigating the association between ınternet addiction, depression, social phobia, social anxiety and psychiatric disorders among secondary education students in Turkey

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to identify the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) among students and evaluate the association of IA with depression, social phobia, social anxiety and psychiatric disorders. Materials and Methods: A total of 297 students aged 9-14 years and studying at a private school in Gölbaşı/Ankara province were included in the study. The study was conducted between November 2015 and May 2016. The student’s depression inventory; social phobia scale for student and adolescents; social anxiety scale for student-revised and strength and difficulties questionnaire were used as data collection tools. According to the Internet dependency scale, student were classified into 4 groups as non-addicted group, threshold group, risk group and addicted group. Results: According to the Internet dependency scale, the majority (258/86.9%) of the students were not Internet addicts. Twenty seven (9.1%) students were in the threshold group and 12 (4%) student were in the risk group. Compared with the depressed mood, the likelihood of having depression in the risk group was higher (p=0.001). The risk group and the threshold group had higher social phobia and social anxiety scores at a statistically significant level than the non-dependent group (p?0.05). Conclusion: Internet use is an indispensable element for the lives of generation-Z student. However Internet addiction, which is directly related to this condition, causes many psychological and social problems for student at an alarming level. These problems cannot be ignored and can be avoided by rational use of the internet. © 2022, Galenos Publishing House. All rights reserved.Finansal Destek: Yazarlar tarafından finansal destek almadıkları bildirilmiştir

Problematic use or addiction? A scoping review on conceptual and operational definitions of negative social networking sites use in adolescents

[EN] The aim of this study was to assess the conceptual and operational descriptions of negative social networking site (SNS) use in adolescents. A search was conducted among four databases, following the guidelines set forth in the PRISMA-ScR. The search resulted in 1503 articles, of which 112 met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the negative use of SNS has been conceptualised from two approaches: (1) the component model of addiction and (2) a cognitive-behavioural problematic use paradigm. Thirty-seven instruments assessing this problem were found, with the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale and its adaptations being the most widely used ones. These instruments dimensions were vaguely defined and often overlapped with one another. In conclusion, no standardised theoretical framework exists to assess negative SNS use in adolescents. This lack of a theoretical definition makes it difficult to compare results among studies and determine the true extent of the problem.Open Access funding provided by University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

DEPRESSION, LONELINESS, ANGER BEHAVIOURS AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP STYLES IN MALE PATIENTS ADMITTED TO INTERNET ADDICTION OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN TURKEY

Background: ‘Internet addiction’ is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life of a person. We designed this study in order to evaluate the predictor effect of depression, loneliness, anger and interpersonal relationship styles for internet addiction as well as develop a model. Subjects and methods: Forty (40) male internet addicted patients were selected from our hospital’s internet Addiction Outpatient Clinic. During the study, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State Trait Anger Expression Scale (STAXI), the UCLA-Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and the Interpersonal Relationship Styles Scale (IRSS) were used for the evaluation of the patients. Results: The results of this study showed that the ‘duration of internet use’ (B=2.353, p=0.01) and STAXI ‘anger in’ subscale (B=1.487, p=0.01) were the predictors of internet addiction. Conclusion: When the clinicians suspect for the internet overuse, regulation of internet usage might be helpful. Psychiatric treatments for expressing anger and therapies that focus on validation of the feelings may be useful