Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-p2v8j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-07T23:04:17.332Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Problematic Internet Use: Clinical Implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Timothy Liu  and
Marc N. Potenza
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Impulse-control disorders have received relatively little attention from the mental health community. An increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of these disorders is emerging. Among impulse control disorders, problematic Internet use has been considered and examined. Prevalence estimate studies indicate that problematic Internet use is experienced across geographic locations by many individuals of diverse backgrounds. This review examines problematic Internet use from epidemiological and clinical perspectives. Clinicians should be familiar with the extent of problematic Internet use and the data regarding the efficacies and tolerabilities of available treatments.

Type
Review Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 12 , Issue 6 , June 2007 , pp. 453 - 466
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Nielsen//NetRatings. Over 2 hundred million people in the United States, or 69.7% of the population, use the Internet. Available at: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats2htm#north. Accessed April 27, 2007.Google Scholar
2. Nielsen//NetRatings. U.S. broadband composition reaches 72 percent at home, a 15 point year-over-year increase, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. Available at: http://www.nielsennetratings.com/pr/pr06021.pdf#search=%22number%20of%20broadband%20users%22. Accessed April 27, 2007.Google Scholar
3.Jabs, C. Fatal distraction? HomePC. 1996;3:66–70, 76, 78.Google Scholar
4.Brady, K. Drapouts rise a net result of computers. The Buffalo Evening News. April 21, 1996:1.Google Scholar
5.Yang, DJ. Craving your next Web fix. Internet addiction is no laughing matter. US News & World Report. 2000;128:41.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Beard, KW. Internet addiction: a review of current assessment techniques and potential assessment questions. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2005;8:7–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Mitchell, P. Internet addiction: genuine diagnosis or not? Lancet. 2000;355:632.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Chou, C, Condron, L, Belland, JC. A Review of the research on internet addiction. Educational Psychology Review. 2005;17:363–388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Kiralla, LV. Internet Addiction Disorder: A descriptive study of college counselors in four-year institutions [dissertation abstract]. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences. 2005;66:96.Google Scholar
10.Shotton, MA. The costs and benefits of “computer addiction”. Behav Inf Technol. 1991;10:219–230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Young, KS. Internet addiction: the emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1998;11:237–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Scherer, K. College life on-line: healthy and unhealthy Internet use. JCSD. 1997;38:655–665.Google Scholar
13.Greenfield, DN. Psychological characteristics of compulsive Internet use: a preliminary analysis. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1999;2:403–412.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Morahan-Martin, J, Schumacher, P. Incidence and correlates of pathological Internet use among college students. Comp Human Behav. 2000;16:13–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Potenza, MN, Hollander, E. Pathologic gambling and impulse control disorders. In: Davis, KL, Charney, D, Coyle, J, Nemeroff, C, eds. Neuropsychopharmacology: The Fifth Generation of Progress. 5th ed. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002;1736–1737.Google Scholar
16.Griffiths, M. Technological addictions. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1995;76:14–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Block, JJ. Prevalence underestimated in problematic internet use study [letter]. CNS Spectr. 2007;12:14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Aboujaoude, E, Koran, LM. The authors respond [letter]. CNS Spectr. 2007;12:15.Google Scholar
19.Goldsmith, TD, Shapira, NA. Problematic Internet use. In: Hollander, E, Stein, DJ, eds. Clinical Manual of Impulse-Control Disorders. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2006:291–308.Google Scholar
20.Beard, KW, Wolf, EM. Modification in the proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2001;4:377–383.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Xingdong, Y. A review of researches on the Internet Addiction. Psychol Sci (China). 2004;27:1446–1448.Google Scholar
22.Young, KS. Psychology of computer use: XL. Addictive use of the Internet: a case that breaks the stereotype. Psychol Rep. 1996;79:899–902.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1994.Google Scholar
24.Potenza, MN. Should addictive disorders include non-substance-related conditions? Addiction. 2006;101(suppl 1)142–151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25.Johansson, A, Gotestam, K. Internet addiction: characteristics of a questionnaire and prevalence in Norwegian youth (12-18 years). Scand J Psychol. 2004;45:223–229.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Leung, L. Net-generation attributes and seductive properties of the Internet as predictors of online activities and Internet Addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004;7:333–348.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Shapira, NA, Goldsmith, TD, Keck, PE Jr, Khosla, UM, McElroy, SL. Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic Internet use. J Affect Disord. 2000;57:267–272.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Shapira, NA, Lessig, MC, Goldsmith, TD, et al.Problematic internet use: proposed classification and diagnostic criteria. Depress Anxiety. 2003;17:207–216.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29.Ko, C-H, Yen, J-Y, Chen, C-C, Chen, S-H, Yen, C-F. Proposed diagnostic criteria of Internet addiction for adolescents. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2005;193:728–733.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30.Chen, SH, Weng, LC, Su, YJ, Wu, HM. Development of Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and its psychometric study. Chin J Psych. 2003;45:279–294.Google Scholar
31.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. text rev. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.Google Scholar
32.International Statistical Classification of Diseases. 10th ed. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2003.Google Scholar
33.Shaffer, HJ, Hall, MN, Vander Bilt, J. “Computer addiction”: a critical consideration. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2000;70:162–168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
34.Griffiths, M. Sex on the Internet: observations and implications for Internet sex addiction. J Sex Res. 2001;38:333–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
35.Young, KS. Internet Addiction: evaluation and treatment. BMJ. 1999;7:351–352.Google Scholar
36.Niemz, K, Griffiths, M, Banyard, P. Prevalence of pathological Internet use among university students and correlations with self-esteem, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and disinhibition. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2005;8:562–570.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
37.Kershaw, S. Hooked on the Web: Help is on the Way. The New York Times. December 1, 2005.Google Scholar
38.DeAngelis, T. Is Internet addiction real? Available at: http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr00/addicition.html. Accessed June 30, 2006.Google Scholar
39.Egger, O, Rauterberg, M. Internet Behavior and Addiction. Zurich, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology; 1996.Google Scholar
40.Whang, LS-M, Lee, S, Chang, G. Internet over-users' psychological profiles: a behavior sampling analysis on internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2003;61:43–150.Google Scholar
41.Young, KS. Internet Addiction Test. Available at: www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test_htm. Accessed September 9, 2006.Google Scholar
42.Eppright, T, Allwood, M, Stern, B, Theiss, T. Internet addiction: a new type of addiction? Mo Med 1999;96:133–136.Google ScholarPubMed
43.Griffiths, M. Internet addiction: does it really exist? In: Gackenbach, J, ed. Psychology and the Internet: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Implications. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press; 1998.Google Scholar
44.Kaltiala-Heino, R, Lintonen, T, Rimpela, A. Internet addiction? Potentially problematic use of the Internet in a population of 12-18 year-old adolescents. Addict Res Theory. 2004;12:89–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
45.Aboujaoude, E, Koran, LM, Gamel, N, Large, MD, Serpe, RT. Potential markers for problematic internet use: a telephone survey of 2,513 adults. CNS Spectr. 2006;11(10)750–755.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46.Kim, K, Ryu, E, Chon, M-Y, et al.Internet addiction in Korean adolescents and its relation to depression and suicidal ideation: a questionnaire survey. Int J Nurs Stud. 2006;43:185–192.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47.Yoo, HJ, Cho, SC, Ha, J, et al.Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and Internet addiction. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004;58:487–494.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
48.Chou, C, Hsiao, M-C. Internet addiction, usage, gratification, and pleasure experience: the Taiwan college students' case. Computers & Education. 2000;35:65–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
49.Brenner, V. Psychology of computer use: XLVII. Parameters of Internet use, abuse and addiction: the first 90 days of the Internet Usage Survey. Psychol Rep. 1997;80:879–882.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
50.Kessler, RC, Chiu, WT, Demler, O, Merikangas, KR, Walters, EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the Nartional Comarbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62:617–627.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
51.O'Neill, M. The lure and addiction of life on-line. The New York Times. March 8, 1995:B1, B7.Google Scholar
52.Ko, C-H, Yen, J-Y, Chen, C-C, Chen, S-H, Yen, C-F. Gender differences and related factors affecting online gaming addiction among Taiwanese adolescents. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2005;193:273–277.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
53.Kandell, JJ. Internet addiction on campus: The vulnerability of college students. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1:11–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
54.Patrizi, L. My College Addiction. Available at: http://www.campusprogress.org/features/397/my-college-addiction. Accessed February 25, 2007.Google Scholar
55.Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Consumers about Online Gambling and Children. Available at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/06/onlinegambling.htm. Accessed February 25, 2007.Google Scholar
56.Allison, SE, von Wahlde, L, Shockley, T, Gabbard, GO. The development of the self in the era of the internet and role-playing fantasy games. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;163:381–385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
57.Chou, C. Internet heavy use and addiction among Taiwanese college students: an online interview study. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2001;4:573–585.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
58.BBC News. S Korean dies after games session. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.Uk/2/hi/technology/4137782.stm. Accessed August 10, 2005.Google Scholar
59.Kraut, R, Patterson, M, Lundmark, V, Kiesler, S, Mukophadhyay, T, Scherlis, W. Internet paradox: a social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological wellbeing? Am Psychol. 1998;53:1017–1031.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
60.Young, KS, Rogers, RC. The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1998;1:25–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
61.Black, DW, Belsare, G, Schlosser, S. Clinical features, psychiatric comorbidity, and health-related quality of life in persons reporting compulsive computer use behavior. J Clin Psychiatry. 1999;60:839–844.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
62.Ware, J, Kosinsky, M, Keller, SD. Appendix C: Script for Personal Interview SF-36 Administration. Boston, Mass: Nimrod Press; 1993.Google Scholar
63.Regier, DA, Farmer, ME, Rae, DS, et al.Comorbidity of mental disorders with alcohol and other drug abuse. Results from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study. JAMA. 1990;264:2511–2518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
64.Cunningham-Williams, RM, Cottler, LB, Compton, WM 3rd, Spitznagel, EL. Taking chances: problem gamblers and mental health disorders-results from the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. Am J Public Health. 1998;88:1093–1096.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
65.Yang, CK, Choe, BM, Baity, M, Lee, JH, Cho, JS. SCL-90-R and 16PF profiles of senior high school students with excessive internet use. Can J Psychiatry. 2005;50:407–414.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
66.Ha, JH, Yoo, HJ, Cho, IH, Chin, B, Shin, D, Kim, JH. Psychiatry comorbidity assessed in Korean children and adolescents who screen positive for Internet addiction. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;67:821–826.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
67.Tapert, SF, Baratta, MV, Abrantes, AM, Brown, SA. Attention dysfunction predicts substance involvement in community youths. Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2002;41:680–686.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
68.Kreek, MJ, Nielsen, DA, Butelman, ER, LaForge, KS. Genetic influences on impulsivity, risk taking, stress responsivity and vulnerability to drug abuse and addiction. Nat Neurosci. 2005;8:1450–1457.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
69.Potenza, MN. Characteristics of adolescent past-year gamblers and non-gamblers in relation to alcohol drinking. Addict Behav. 2007;32:80–89.Google Scholar
70.Petty, NM, Stinson, FS, Grant, BF. Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005;66:564–574.Google Scholar
71.Kuehn, BM. Link between smoking and mental illness may lead to treatments. JAMA. 2006;295:483–484.Google ScholarPubMed
72.Young, KS. Center for Internet Addiction Recovery. Available at: http://www.netaddiction.com. Accessed June 30, 2006.Google Scholar
73.Internet Addiction Support Group. Yahoo Web site. Available at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lnternet-addiction. Accessed June 30, 2006.Google Scholar
74.Warden, NL, Phillips, JG, Ogloff, JR. Internet Addiction. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 2004;11:280–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
75. Reuters. China opens halfway house for Net addicts. Available at: http://news.com.com/China+opens+halfway+house+for+Net+addicts/210010253-6108975.html. Accessed August 23, 2006.Google Scholar
76.Young, KS. Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation and treatment. In: VandeCreek, L, Jackson, T, eds. Innovations in Clinical Practice: A Source Book. Sarasota, Fla: Professional Resource Press; 1999:19–31.Google Scholar
77.Orzack, MH, Orzack, DS. Treatment of computer addicts with complex co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1999;2:465–473.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
78.Sattar, P, Ramaswamy, S. Internet gaming addiction. Can J Psychiatry. 2004;49:871–872.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
79.Caplan, SE. Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being: development of a theory-based cognitive-behavioral measurement instrument. Comput Human Behav. 2002;18:553–575.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
80.Davis, RA, Flett, GL, Sesser, A. Validation of a new scale for measuring problematic internet use: implications for pre-employment screening. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2002;5:331–345.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
81.Koran, LM, Faber, RJ, Aboujaoude, E, Large, MD, Serpe, RT. Estimated prevalence of compulsive buying behavior in the United States. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:1806–1812.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed