ERIC Number: EJ865991
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Sep
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0144-929X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Features and Predictors of Problematic Internet Use in Chinese College Students
Huang, R. L.; Lu, Z.; Liu, J. J.; You, Y. M.; Pan, Z. Q.; Wei, Z.; He, Q.; Wang, Z. Z.
Behaviour & Information Technology, v28 n5 p485-490 Sep 2009
This study was set to investigate the prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) among college students and the possible factors related to this disorder. About 4400 college students, ranging from freshmen to juniors, from eight different universities in Wuhan, China were surveyed. Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ) and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale were used to define PIU and depression accordingly. Data was analysed with "chi-squared" testing and logistic regression. Out of the 3496 participants, 9.58% (male 13.54%, female 4.88%) met the criteria of PIU. Factors such as heavy internet use habits, poor academic achievement, lack of love from the family, etc. were found to be significantly associated with PIU. About 48.51% (1696) of the students were light internet users, who use the internet less than 5 h/week, while 16.36% (572) were heavy users who use it more than 15 h/week, though heavy users were more likely to develop PIU. Also, 25.53% of the students with depression developed PIU, in comparison with 8.91% of PIU among those without depression (p less than 0.001). Being male, frequent internet use, poor academic achievement, poor family atmosphere and lack of love from parents were predictors of PIU among college students. The habit and purpose of using the internet is diverse, which influences the susceptibility of PIU as well. There was a correlation between depression and the development of PIU as well. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: College Students, Internet, Depression (Psychology), Foreign Countries, Incidence, Computer Uses in Education, Student Surveys, Questionnaires, Addictive Behavior, Low Achievement, Family Relationship, Family Influence, Gender Differences, At Risk Students, Interpersonal Relationship, Academic Achievement
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Zung Self Rating Depression Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A