Validity,Reliability,and Measurement Invariance of the Thai Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale

Background:In recent years,there has been increased research interest in both smartphone addiction and social media addiction as well as the development of psychometric instruments to assess these constructs.However,there is a lack of psychometric evaluation for instruments assessing smartphone addiction and social media addiction in Thailand.The present study evaluated the psychometric properties and gender measurement invariance of the Thai version of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale(SABAS)and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale(BSMAS).Method:A total of 801 Thai university students participated in an online survey from January 2022 to July 2022 which included demographic information,SABAS,BSMAS,and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form(IGDS9-SF).Results:Confirmatory Factor Analyses(CFAs)found that both the SABAS and BSMAS had a one-factor structure.Findings demonstrated adequate psychometric properties of both instruments and also supported measurement invariance across genders.Moreover,scores on the SABAS and BSMAS were correlated with scores on the IGDS9-SF.Conclusion:The results indicated that the SABAS and BSMAS are useful psychometric instruments for assessing the risk of smartphone addiction and social media addiction among Thai young adults.

Internet addiction and problematic Internet use: A systematic review of clinical research

AIM: To provide a comprehensive overview of clinical studies on the clinical picture of Internet-use related addictions from a holistic perspective. A literature search was conducted using the database Web of Science.METHODS: Over the last 15 years, the number of Internet users has increased by 1000%, and at the same time, research on addictive Internet use has proliferated. Internet addiction has not yet been understood very well, and research on its etiology and natural history is still in its infancy. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association included Internet Gaming Disorder in the appendix of the updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders(DSM-5) as condition that requires further research prior to official inclusion in the main manual, with important repercussions for research and treatment. To date, reviews have focused on clinical and treatment studies of Internet addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder. This arguably limits the analysis to a specific diagnosis of a potential disorder that has not yet been officially recognised in the Western world, rather than a comprehensive and inclusive investigation of Internet-use related addictions(including problematic Internet use) more generally. RESULTS: The systematic literature review identified a total of 46 relevant studies. The included studies used clinical samples, and focused on characteristics of treatment seekers and online addiction treatment. Four main types of clinical research studies were identified, namely research involving(1) treatment seeker characteristics;(2) psychopharmacotherapy;(3) psychological therapy; and(4) combined treatment. CONCLUSION: A consensus regarding diagnostic criteria and measures is needed to improve reliability across studies and to develop effective and efficient treatment approaches for treatment seekers.

P300 change and cognitive behavioral therapy in subjects with Internet addiction disorder A 3-month follow-up study

Event-related potential studies of cognitive function in addiction behaviors have focused on the P300 event-related potential component. The current study investigated the association between P300 component and Internet addiction disorder. We found that individuals with Internet addiction disorder exhibited significantly longer P300 latencies than controls （N2： P = 0.035; P3a： P = 0.031 P3b： P = 0.043） and similar P300 amplitudes compared to control participants. After 3 months of cognitive behavioral therapy, P300 latencies decreased significantly in the P3a and P3b （P3a： P = 0.045; P3b： P = 0.062）. These results suggest that deficits in cognitive function may be involved in Internet addiction disorder, and that clinical psychological treatment may be effective.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of internet addiction in young adults

AIM: To report the results of functional magnetic resonance imaging(f MRI) studies pertaining internet addiction disorder(IAD) in young adults.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review on Pub Med, focusing our attention on f MRI studies involving adult IAD patients, free from any comorbid psychiatric condition. The following search words were used, both alone and in combination: f MRI, internet addiction, internet dependence, functional neuroimaging. The search was conducted on April 20^(th), 2015 and yielded 58 records. Inclusion criteria were the following: Articles written in English, patients' age ≥ 18 years, patients affected by IAD, studies providing f MRI results during resting state or cognitive/emotional paradigms. Structural MRI studies, functional imaging techniques other than f MRI, studies involving adolescents, patients with comorbid psychiatric, neurological or medical conditions were excluded. By reading titles and abstracts, we excluded 30 records. By reading the full texts of the 28 remaining articles, we identified 18 papers meeting our inclusion criteria and therefore included in the qualitative synthesis.RESULTS: We found 18 studies fulfilling our inclusion criteria, 17 of them conducted in Asia, and including a total number of 666 tested subjects. The included studies reported data acquired during resting state or different paradigms, such as cue-reactivity, guessing or cognitive control tasks. The enrolled patients were usually males(95.4%) and very young(21-25 years). The most represented IAD subtype, reported in more than 85% of patients, was the internet gaming disorder, or videogame addiction. In the resting state studies, the more relevant abnormalities were localized in the superior temporal gyrus, limbic, medial frontal and parietal regions. When analyzing the task related fmri studies, we found that less than half of the papers reported behavioral differences between patients and normal controls, but all of them found significant differences in cortical and subcortical brain regions involved in cognitive control and reward processing: Orbitofrontal cortex, insula, anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, temporal and parietal regions, brain stem and caudate nucleus.CONCLUSION: IAD may seriously affect young adults' brain functions. It needs to be studied more in depth to provide a clear diagnosis and an adequate treatment.

Relationships of loneliness and mobile phone dependence with Internet addiction in Japanese medical students

We investigated factors contributing to Internet addiction in 105 Japanese medical students. The subjects were administered by a self-reporting questionnaire designed to evaluate demographic factors, Internet addiction, loneliness, health-related lifestyle factors, depressive state, patterns of behavior, and mobile phone dependence. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that loneliness and mobile phone dependence were positively related to degree of addiction. Our findings suggest that Internet addiction is associated with loneliness and mobile phone dependence in Japanese students.

Abnormal brain activity in adolescents with Internet addiction who attempt suicide: an assessment using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Internet addiction is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior and can lead to brain dysfunction among adolescents.However,whether brain dysfunction occurs in adolescents with Internet addiction who attempt suicide remains unknown.This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 41 young Internet addicts,aged from 15 to 20 years,from the Department of Psychiatry,the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,China from January to May 2018.The participants included 21 individuals who attempted suicide and 20 individuals with Internet addiction without a suicidal attempt history.Brain images in the resting state were obtained by a 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner.The results showed that activity in the gyrus frontalis inferior of the right pars triangularis and the right pars opercularis was significantly increased in the suicidal attempt group compared with the non-suicidal attempt group.In the resting state,the prefrontal lobe of adolescents who had attempted suicide because of Internet addiction exhibited functional abnormalities,which may provide a new basis for studying suicide pathogenesis in Internet addicts.The study was authorized by the Ethics Committee of Chongqing Medical University,China(approval No.2017 Scientific Research Ethics(2017-157))on December 11,2017.

Impact of Internet Literacy,Internet Addiction Symptoms on Quality of Life

As a country with the largest absolute number of Internet users in the world,China has witnessed that Internet addiction is becoming a prominent issue.Young adults like university students are particularly susceptible to the lure of the Internet,and they are described as being obsessed with the Internet.According to the latest report of the China Internet Network Information Center(CNNIC),netizens aged 20-29 have become the largest group of Internet users in China,accounting for 30.7%of the total Chinese netizens.Therefore,it is very important to study the Internet use and its influence among the young,since young people have become the main body of the Chinese Internet users.Focusing on the two essential factors closely related to Internet addiction as a risk,this study attempted to find out the interrelationships between Internet literacy,Internet addiction,and young people’s quality of life.As for research method,a paper-based survey was conducted to collect data and the final sample size was 1,000.The university student sample was created from a stratified sampling procedure with proportionate allocation among the nine universities in Dalian,a coast city in northeast China.Factor analyses showed different aspects of Internet literacy and various symptoms of Internet addiction among the university students.This study found that Internet addiction had some negative influences on the university students’quality of life.Moreover,the findings showed that Internet literacy has a significant influence on Internet addiction and quality of life among these young people.Basically,those university students with higher level of Internet literacy showed lower degree of Internet addiction and higher degree of quality of life.Therefore,in the future,more attention should be paid to education and activities in order to improve young people’s Internet literacy.The findings further enrich the literature of Internet addiction,Internet literacy,as well as quality of life,and are valuable for prevention,treatment,and recovery of Internet addiction among young people.Research on Internet addiction as an emerging risk in the Chinese context is of great research significance theoretically and practically,not only because Internet addiction is becoming a prominent issue in both China and many other societies,but also because it may act as a good case to study risk issue related to Internet,youth,and everyday life.The results can be used for future studies on Internet addiction,Internet literacy,and quality of life among other subpopulations or within other social contexts.

Decreased frontal lobe function in people with Internet addiction disorder

In our previous studies, we showed that frontal lobe and brainstem functions were abnormal in online game addicts. In this study, 14 students with Internet addiction disorder and 14 matched healthy controls underwent proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure cerebral function. Results demonstrated that the ratio of N-acetylaspartate to creatine decreased, but the ratio of cho- line-containing compounds to creatine increased in the bilateral frontal lobe white matter in people with Internet addiction disorder. However, these ratios were mostly unaltered in the brainstem, suggesting that frontal lobe function decreases in people with Internet addiction disorder.

The Social Media and Technology Addiction and Its Associated Factors among University Students in Lebanon Using the Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale (MTUAS)

The contemporary developments of Information and Communication Technologies usage have fueled a popular concern. The young people are experiencing technology addiction behavior due to excessive media and technology usage. A valid instrument is required to detect individuals at high risk of social media and technology addiction. Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess prevalence of the technology addiction using the Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale (MTUAS) and to investigate the impacts of online social networking on health and academic performance of young university students in Lebanon. Methods: During the academic year 2017-2018, a cross-sectional study which enrolled 705 young university students was conducted. Data was collected using MTUAS questionnaire. The translation and cultural adaptation of the MTUAS followed a standardized protocol. The psychometric properties were then evaluated. We used multivariate regression analyses to determine which characteristics were associated with the technology addiction among students. Results: 705 filled out the questionnaire aged 17 to 35 years (mean = 20.42;SD = 2.41), 74% of whom were females. The internal consistency was high for all subscales and ranged from 0.54 - 0.87. The MTUAS yielded statistically significant scores for subgroups (known group validity). Males’ students had a higher risk of addiction to social media and technology than females. The use of media was viewed common among the smokers (OR = 1.76;95% CI = 1.10 - 2.82, p = 0.02) and drinkers of alcohol (OR = 1.80;95% CI = 1.04 - 3.11, p = 0.04). Students that used e-mailing, smartphone, and TV viewing had a high academic performance level. Females and public university students had negative attitudes toward technology. In conclusion: The technology becomes a big problem on the universities students’ users that has an impact on their life and affects their academic performance. The MTUAS Arabic version has been evaluated as a valid and reliable instrument.

Loneliness or Materialism, Which Is a Better Predictor of Internet Addiction?

In recent years, the widespread prevalence of loneliness, materialism, and Internet addiction have been widely studied. Studies have addressed either loneliness or materialism and its relationship with Internet addiction. However, to date, no study has addressed all three concepts in a single study. The purpose of this study was: 1) to investigate whether loneliness or materialism is a reliable predictor of Internet addiction and 2) what is the nature of the relationship among these variables across gender. Data were collected from a crosssectional online-survey, which consisted of US adults (N = 311). The survey consisted of 42 items related to the key constructs. Additionally, some demographic variables were also included in the survey. Loneliness was not associated with Internet addiction. On the other hand, materialism was strongly associated with Internet addiction. The aforementioned relationship was valid across gender. Between loneliness and materialism, materialism was a strong predictor of Internet addiction.

The Relationship between Internet Addiction and Cyberbullying Perpetration: A Moderated Mediation Model of Moral Disengagement and Internet Literacy

Internet addiction and cyberbullying have emerged as significant global mental health concerns in recent years.Although previous studies have shown a close association between Internet addiction and cyberbullying,the underlying mechanisms connecting these two phenomena remain unclear.Therefore,this study aimed to reveal the mechanisms involved between Internet addiction and cyberbullying perpetration from the perspective of cognition function.This study recruited 976 Chinese youth through online survey,using the short version of Internet Addiction Test(s-IAT),Chinese Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire(C-CIPQ),Cyberbullying Moral Disengagement Scale(CMDS),and Internet Literacy Questionnaire(ILQ)to investigate the relationship between Internet addiction,moral disengagement,Internet literacy and cyberbullying perpetration.The keyfindings of this study were as follows:after controlling gender and age,(1)Internet addiction had a significant positive predictive effect on cyberbullying perpetration;(2)moral disengagement acted as a mediator between Internet addiction and cyberbullying perpetration;and(3)Internet literacy played a moderating role between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration.In conclusion,there was a moderated mediating effect between Internet addiction and cyberbullying perpetration,contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between these two phenomena.

Determinants of internet addiction among medical students in Casablanca: a cross-sectional study

Objective:This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of Internet addiction among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca,Morocco.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted among students at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Casablanca between October and March 2020.An online questionnaire was administered to students to collect data and internet addiction was assessed by the Young questionnaire.A score threshold≥50 was adopted to define addiction.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with internet addiction.Results:Out of a total of 4093 FMPC students enrolled in the 2020-2021 academic year,506 agreed to participate in this study,including 303 females and 203 males.The mean addiction score assessed on the Young scale was(49.08±16.11).The prevalence of Internet addiction was 44.5%(225/506,95% CI:40% to 49%).Multiple regression analysis showed that being older than 20 years(OR=0.17,95% CI:0.40 to 0.64),being female(OR=1.70,95% CI:1.04 to 2.78),being in the dissertation year(6th year)(OR=5.17,95% CI:2.23 to 11.44),having a history of psychiatric consultation(OR=2.64,95% CI:1.34 to 5.21),having divorced parents(OR=2.64,95% CI:1.05 to 5.87),use of sleeping medication(OR=2.9,95% CI:1.05 to 3.70),sleep disorders(OR=2.06,95% CI:1.25 to 3.79),sleep deprivation(OR=2.26,95% CI:1.39 to 3.65),excessive daytime sleepiness(OR=5.39,95% CI:2.19 to 13.24),anxiety disorders(OR=1.47,95% CI:1.18 to 2.30),duration of internet connection(>4 h)(OR=11.43,95% CI:4.85 to 27.66),and having frequent conflicts with parents(OR=2.37,95% CI:1.49 to 3.79)and friends(OR=0.26,95% CI:0.11 to 0.65)were independently associated with internet addiction.Conclusion:The prevalence of Internet addiction among medical students in Casablanca remains high.Targeted action on the determinants would be of great value in prevention.

Internet Addiction： Just Facebook Me! The Role of Social Networking Sites in Internet Addiction

Internet based social-networking sites like Facebook are highly attractive, user-friendly, and increasingly popular. Current estimates indicate over 750 million users of Facebook alone. However, Internet addiction is an increasing problem amongst today＇s youth and as yet, is understudied in the United States. This study looked at the relationship between this new social-networking tool and the increasing phenomenon of internet addiction symptoms using both a US college sample （age 19years） and a US high-school sample （age 14years）. Findings indicate that SNS （Social Networking Site） activity maybe more predictive of addictive behaviors than general internet use and that higher percents of symptomology occur in those users reporting SNS activity as their primary internet activity.

A Study on Left-behind Children's Communicative Willingness and Language Ability under the Influence of Internet Addiction--A Case Study of Zhejiang Province

This research studies the language communication barrier of left-behind children under the influence of Internet addiction.Leftbehind children aged 8-13 in primary school were taken as the research object.A total of 320 left-behind children from 10 primary schools in 5 regions of Zhejiang Province were selected as the research objects.In addition,30 primary school language teachers in Zhejiang Province were interviewed to explore the communicative willingness and language expression of left-behind children under the influence of"Internet addiction,"analyze the obstacle factors affecting the language communicative ability,and put forward corresponding opinions and suggestions.

Internet Addiction of College Students from the Psychological Perspective

With the rapid development of network, the phenomenon of Internet addiction is prevalent on campuses, which has produced a variety of negative effects on college students in terms of learning, living, working and so on. In recent years, there are many research literatures on Internet addiction overseas, covering all aspects of this psychological phenomenon. Moreover, domestic research on Internet addiction started late. In the light of the fact that college students do not have clear understanding on hazards of Interact addiction, it generally shows their self- control is poor. They do not believe they can control their behavior and results and give up taking responsibility for the results and tend to agree network identity. Based on this phenomenon, we propose the network psychological source control concept. In view of the close contact between the excessive use of the network and the individual time management, this study selected the time dimension of personality characteristics on Internet addiction as another influencing factor, and explored the integrated influence of the psychological source control to Internet addiction.

Increased internet addiction during COVID-19 pandemics

COVID-19 pandemics have affected the world.Lockdown and shutdown were implemented in different parts of the world to avoid human gathering.Physical distance and work from home are encouraged to prevent the further spread of the disease.Restriction on traveling and other social activities where there will be human gathering during the pandemic has increased the use of the internet.Computers and smartphones have become a platform for work and study and also to spend leisure time during the lockdown period.Using social sites on the internet has somehow decreased the stress and anxiety about COVID-19.But,Covid suspected or confirmed cases in the isolation and home quarantine spending excessive time online have developed an addiction towards the internet.

Problematic Internet use in drug addicts under treatment in public rehab centers

BACKGROUND Problematic Internet use(PIU)or Internet addiction has been recognized to be a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations,urges,or behaviors regarding computer use and Internet access that leads to impairment or distress resembling substance abuse.AIM To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Internet use and abuse in a group of drug addicts from Southern Italy,by means of a specific questionnaire[“Questionario sull’Utilizzo delle Nuove Tecnologie”(QUNT)].METHODS All subjects(183)were heavy smokers,almost 50%of them used heroin and/or opioid compounds,30%alcohol,10%cannabis,8%cocaine,and 5%were polydrug users.Almost 10%of the individuals were also suffering from gambling disorder.RESULTS The time spent online was more than 4 hours a day in the total sample,with a slight prevalence in male subjects.Cocaine and cannabis users spent more than 6 hours online,significantly more than opioid and alcohol abusers.Distribution of the QUNT factors was not different in both sexes.Cocaine users showed higher scores at the“loss of control”,“pornography addiction”,and“addiction to social networks”factors,for the stimulant effect of this substance.Moreover,15 out of the total 17 cocaine users were pathological gamblers.Positive and statistically significant relationships were observed between some QUNT factors and body mass index.CONCLUSION These findings indicate that PIU is less severe in subjects taking sedative substances,such as heroin/opioids and alcohol,than in subjects taking stimulants.Alternatively,it may be used as a“stimulant”trigger in cocaine and cannabis users.Flattening effect of abuse drugs was noted on possible sex-related differences in QUNT items.We observed a sort of“protective”effect of a love relationship and/or living together with a partner,as those engaged subjects showed lower scores on different items than single subjects or those living alone.The relationship between time spent online(and related sedentary lifestyle)and body mass index would suggest that Internet use might be a contributing factor to increasing weight gain and obesity amongst adolescents and young adults worldwide.Our findings also highlighted the specific vulnerability of drug addicts who use stimulants,rather than sedative compounds,to other kinds of behavioral addictions,such as gambling disorder.

Prevalence of social media addiction among nursing students

Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and level of social media addiction among nursing students in the Faculty of Nursing,Cairo University.Materials and Methods:A descriptive cross‑sectional research design was conducted on samples of 340 students at the Faculty of Nursing,Cairo University.Data were collected through demographic background information sheet and Social Networking Addiction Scale.Results:All the students were addicted as 6.76%were severely addicted and 60.59%and 32.65%were moderately and mildly addicted,respectively.Significant relations were found between social media addiction and students’age(χ^(2)=11.331,P=0.003),educational level(χ^(2)=20.239,P=0.003),and grade point average(χ^(2)=19.378,P=0.013).Conclusion:Internet addiction was prevalent among all students but at different levels,so early screening of students for Internet addiction using the Internet Addiction Scale is important to provide early treatment and prevent hazards to health.

A Comparative Analysis of Psychological Disorders between Internet Addicted Students and Ordinary Internet Users in Zabol University of Medical Sciences

Nowadays, using the Internet, for academic and non-academic activities, is an integral part of students’ daily life. Studies showed that excessive use of the Internet has negative effects on physical and mental health. The present research was conducted in order to compare the psychological disorders of Internet addicted students and ordinary Internet users in Zabol University of medical sciences. It applied a causal-comparative method. Through applying purposive sampling method, 252 undergraduate and postgraduate students of Zabol University of Medical Sciences were selected in May 2015. Data collection was performed using standard questionnaires of Young’s Internet Addiction Test and the Symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Data analysis was carried out using independent t-test with SPSS21. Results indicated that the Internet addicted students, compared with ordinary Internet users had more psychological disorders. Considering the high prevalence of psychological disorders in the Internet addicted students, teaching appropriate use of the Internet to students is an important factor in controlling the Internet addiction.