Problematic use of the Internet is a unidimensional quasi-trait with impulsive and compulsive subtypes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Problematic use of the Internet has been highlighted as needing further study by international bodies, including the European Union and American Psychiatric Association. Knowledge regarding the optimal classification of problematic use of the Internet, subtypes, and associations with clinical disorders has been hindered by reliance on measurement instruments characterized by limited psychometric properties and external validation.

Methods

Non-treatment seeking individuals were recruited from the community of Stellenbosch, South Africa (N = 1661), and Chicago, United States of America (N = 827). Participants completed an online version of the Internet Addiction Test, a widely used measure of problematic use of the Internet consisting of 20-items, measured on a 5-po

SUBMITTER: Tiego J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6839143 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature