Problematic Internet use and associated risks in a college sample

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Katherine L Derbyshire
  • Katherine A Lust
  • Liana R N Schreiber
  • Brian Lawrence Odlaug
  • Gary A Christenson
  • David J Golden
  • Jon E Grant
OBJECTIVE: The Internet is commonly used among young adults; however, Internet use may become a problematic behavior. Past research has examined Internet behavior in young adults and its relationship to other behaviors and health issues, yet further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship. METHOD: A sample (n=2108) of college students (56.9% female) was examined using a self-report Internet survey concerning demographic characteristics, Internet use, health behaviors, psychosocial functioning, and psychiatric comorbidities. The IAT was used to determine levels of problematic Internet use (limited use (none or almost no use), mild use (typical user), moderate use (occasional problems) and severe use (frequent, serious problems)) and the MINI for testing for psychiatric problems. RESULTS: We found that 237 students (12.9%) met criteria for limited Internet use, 1502 (81.8%) for mild Internet use and 98 (5.3%) for moderate to severe Internet use. Variables significantly associated with greater frequency of Internet use included lower Grade Point Average (p=.006), less frequent exercise (p=.018), higher PHQ-9 scores (p
Original languageEnglish
JournalComprehensive Psychiatry
Volume54
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)415-422
ISSN0010-440X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2013

ID: 45271323