Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Psychological Distress, Insomnia, and Alcoholism Among Schoolteachers in Japan

The causal relationships between problematic internet use and psychological distress remain controversial. The present study investigated the reciprocal relationships between problematic internet use (PIU, i.e., problematic social media use [PSMU], problematic gaming [PG]) and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression). Hong Kong and Taiwan university students (N=645; nmale=266; mean=20.95 years [SD=5.63]) were recruited for a survey study, with follow-ups at three, six, and nine months after baseline assessment. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Internet Gaming Disorder-Short Form, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess studied variables. Cross-lagged models were constructed to understand the reciprocal relationships between PIU and psychological distress. The level of anxiety significantly impacted the level of PSMU but not in the opposite direction. The level of PSMU significantly impacted the level of depression but not in the opposite direction. In addition, levels of PG and both types of psychological distress had reciprocal impacts on each another. Because PIU can lead to psychological distress, prevention programs on digital health are needed. Moreover, because there is a reciprocity between PG and psychological distress, psychological interventions to break the reciprocal relationship for those with serious PG and psychological distress are warranted.

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Dataset: Does loneliness, self-esteem and psychological distress correlate with problematic internet use? A Bangladeshi survey study

10.31234/osf.io/3rpvs ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

M. A. Mamun ◽

Sharif Hossain ◽

Mst. Sabrina Moonajilin ◽

Mohammed Tanvir Masud ◽

Jannatul Mawa Misti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Internet Addiction ◽

Internet Use ◽

Global Mental Health ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Survey Study ◽

Targeted Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Researchers have claimed that problematic internet use (PIU) and internet addiction (IA) is a global mental health problem. However, little research has addressed this issue in Bangladesh and no previous study has examined the relationship between PIU and potential psychological risk factors.Aim: The present study examined the prevalence of PIU and its associated risk factors including socio-demographic variables, internet use behaviors, and other psychological variables including loneliness, self-esteem, and psychological distress.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Bangladeshi students (N = 605). Measures included the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Rosenberg's SelfEsteem Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire.Results: Using a cut-off score of ≤60 (out of 100) on the IAT, the prevalence of PIU was 16.5% (n = 100). Regression analysis showed that sleep disturbance (more or less than 6-7 hours sleeping time), not using internet for academic purposes, and online chatting were risk factors for PIU. Loneliness and psychological distress were positively correlated with PIU, whereas self-esteem was negatively correlated.Conclusions: The present study highlights that PIU among Bangladeshi university students is an issue of concern and that targeted prevention is needed among emergingadults to help overcome the potentially negative effects of problematic internet use.

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A Comparative Study of Subjective Well-Being and Psychological Problems Related to Problematic Internet Use among University Students With and Without Disabilities (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24168 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Antonio Raya ◽

Carlos Herruzo ◽

Rosario Ruiz ◽

Valentina Lucena ◽

Javier Herruzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Young People ◽

University Students ◽

Students With Disabilities ◽

Internet Use ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Well Being ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Disabled People

BACKGROUND Problematic internet use (PIU) and the psychological variables related to subjective well-being among people with disabilities has received very little attention in scientific literature. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to observe whether people with disabilities experience PIU like that of young people without disabilities; to relate PIU to psychological distress and problems in young disabled people, and to determine whether these problems are similar to or different from those experienced by young people without disabilities. METHODS PIU was evaluated using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and psychological distress was evaluated using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). The sample comprised 1,794 young people (408 university students with disabilities and 1,386 university students without disabilities). RESULTS The group of university students with disabilities showed less PIU than the non-disabled students, but the worst scores in variables referencing psychological discomfort were found among those students with disabilities who also had PIU. CONCLUSIONS PIU is related to bigger problems in disabled people for whom, with regard to problems in social relationships or the probability of self-harm, it represents a higher risk than for people without disabilities.

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Internet use patterns and the relation between generalized problematic internet use and psychological distress in Portuguese university students

Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica ◽

10.5944/rppc.25324 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 31

Author(s):

Berta Rodrigues Maia ◽

Mariana Marques ◽

Ana Telma Pereira ◽

António Macedo

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

University Students ◽

Internet Use ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Use Patterns

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The link between problematic internet use, problematic gaming, and psychological distress: does sleep quality matter?

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03105-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qian Wang ◽

Komi Mati ◽

Yong Cai

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Indirect Effect ◽

Internet Use ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Full Time ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Problematic Gaming

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to examine the mediating role of sleep quality in the association of problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic gaming with psychological distress among college students in China. Methods Data of 1040 full-time students from multiple colleges in China were examined. Respondents were asked about their internet use and gaming behaviors, sleep quality, psychological distress, and sociodemographic characteristics. The mediating role of sleep quality in the PIU- and problematic gaming-psychological distress link was examined respectively. Results PIU was associated with decreased sleep quality (r = .32, p < .001) and increased psychological distress (r = .46, p < .001). Problematic gaming was also associated with decreased sleep quality (r = .22, p < .001) and increased psychological distress (r = .46, p < .001). Sleep quality accounted for 23.5% of the indirect effect of PIU on psychological distress, and 17.9% of the indirect effect of problematic gaming on psychological distress. Conclusions Sleep quality had a meaningful mediating effect on the PIU-psychological distress link, but only exerted a small mediating effect on the problematic gaming-psychological distress link. In addition to promoting healthy internet usage, strategies aimed at mitigating the negative effect of excessive internet use on psychological health might benefit from those aimed at improving sleep quality.

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The association between problematic internet use, psychological distress, and sleep problems during COVID-19

Sleep Epidemiology ◽

10.1016/j.sleepe.2021.100005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 100005

Author(s):

Zeng-Han Lee ◽

I-Hua Chen

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Internet Use ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Problematic Internet Use

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Internet addiction and psychological distress among Chinese schoolchildren before and during the COVID-19 outbreak: A latent class analysis

Journal of Behavioral Addictions ◽

10.1556/2006.2021.00052 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

I-Hua Chen ◽

Chao-Ying Chen ◽

Chieh-hsiu Liu ◽

Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu ◽

Mark D. Griffiths ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Internet Use ◽

Latent Class ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Time Points ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Use Of Internet ◽

Group 1

Abstract Background and aims The present longitudinal study examined the changes in problematic internet use (problematic smartphone use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming) and changes in COVID-19-related psychological distress (fear of COVID-19 and worry concerning COVID-19) across three time-points (before the COVID-19 outbreak, during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and during the COVID-19 outbreak recovery period). Methods A total of 504 Chinese schoolchildren completed measures concerning problematic internet use and psychological distress across three time-points. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify participants into three groups of problematic internet use comprising Group 1 (lowest level), Group 2 (moderate level), and Group 3 (highest level). Results Statistical analyses showed that as problematic use of internet-related activities declined among Group 3 participants across the three time points, participants in Group 1 and Group 2 had increased problematic use of internet-related activities. Although there was no between-group difference in relation to worrying concerning COVID-19 infection, Groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 than Group 1 during the COVID-19 recovery period. Regression analysis showed that change in problematic internet use predicted fear of COVID-19 during the recovery period. Conclusion The varied levels of problematic internet use among schoolchildren reflect different changing trends of additive behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak and recovery periods.

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