A factor analytic approach was used to explore possible constructs underlying so-called computer/Internet addiction. A 94-item survey was developed, from which two major and two minor factors were derived. Factor 1 focused on problematic computer-related behaviors in heavy users of the Internet, whereas Factor 2 focused on the usefulness and general purpose nature of computers and the Internet. Factor 3 isolated a combination of use of the Internet for sexual gratification and shyness/introversion, and Factor 4 focused on an absence of problems related to Internet use that were coupled with a mild aversion or a disinterest in this technology. These data support the notion that some individuals have a mixture of obsessive-like characteristics related specifically to their computer/Internet use but that, not surprisingly, they also exhibit a preference for on-line, rather than in-person, interactions.

The ever-changing nature of the Internet continues to fuel questions as to its benefits and possible drawbacks. One issue that is particularly problematic is the validity of claims that the Internet is addictive. The present study used a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a data set of 527 participants using the same survey developed by Pratarelli et al. (1) We propose a theoretical model of the relationship between (1) Internet addiction, (2) a sexual factor, and (3) an Internet use factor. These three factors were tested using two structural equation models generated on LISREL. The CFA revealed that the three factors are not orthogonal to each other, but instead are related to some degree as one would expect if a supposed Internet addicted individual exhibited behaviors related to each factor. We next tested whether the addiction was the causal factor leaving the sex and User factors as endogenous (i.e., resulting from the addiction). The second structural equation tested the contrasting possibility that sex and User related activities were exogenous to the addiction factor (i.e., the addiction resulted from these two activities). The analysis revealed that model 1, where the addiction is the causal factor behind the sex and User factors, had a stronger model fit index. On the basis of these current data it appears that Internet addiction may involve an addictive performance profile which in turn leads to excessive behaviors that involve (1) use of the Internet for sexual purposes and (2) its functional usefulness for a variety of professional and personal goals.

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Accessing social media is common and although concerns have been raised regarding the impact of social media on academic success, research in this area is sparse and inconsistent. Survey responses were collected from 659 undergraduate and graduate students to determine the relationship between social media usage and overall academic performance, as well as explore if this relationship is moderated by attention (regulation of time/study environment) and motivation (effort regulation). Both predictors, social media usage and attention, significantly predicted academic performance. Likewise, when motivation was considered as a predictor, it significantly predicted academic performance above and beyond social media usage. No moderation was found between the three variables. Implications of these relationships are discussed.

Previous research indicates that persons who self-report a high level of preoccupation with celebrities tend to have lower levels of well-being. We administered the "Romantic Partner Conflict Scale", the "Love Attitudes Scale", the soulmate subscale from the "Relationship Theories Questionnaire", and the anxiety subscale from the "Experiences in Close Relationships Scale" to 330 students from four universities to see how well scores on these measures would predict scores on each of the three subscales from the "Celebrity Attitude Scale" (CAS). We predicted that persons whose scores on these measures of intimate relationships indicated a troubled, anxious, or poor quality relationship would have higher scores on the CAS, especially on its two problematic subscales. In three multiple regressions, specific measures of behavior during conflict with a romantic partner and certain love styles significantly predicted scores on all three of the CAS subscales. We discuss the implications of being a celebrity worshiper on one's relationship with an intimate partner.