Brief Report: Examining the Link Between Autistic Traits and Compulsive Internet Use in a Non-Clinical Sample

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders or autistic traits may profit from Internet and computer-mediated interactions, but there is concern about their Internet use becoming compulsive. This study investigated the link between autistic traits and Internet use in a 2-wave longitudinal study with a non-clinical community sample (n = 390). As compared to people with less autistic traits, people with more autistic traits did not report a higher frequency of Internet use, but they were more prone to compulsive Internet use. For women, more autistic traits predicted an increase in compulsive Internet use over time. These results suggest that, despite its appeal for people with autistic traits, the Internet carries the risk of compulsive use.

ADHD and autistic traits, family function, parenting style, and social adjustment for Internet addiction among children and adolescents in Taiwan: A longitudinal study

“…This result regarding the relationship between autistic traits and Internet addiction was not consistent with previous studies using an adult sample, in which they found adults with more autistic traits predicted for Internet addiction (Finkenauer et al, 2012;Romano et al, 2013). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining autistic traits and Internet addiction in children.…”

“…Moreover, this unexpected predictability could be accounted for by poor academic performance, males, and protective parenting style. Unlike other studies that have found associations between Internet addiction, ADHD, and autistic traits without taking social adjustments into account (Finkenauer et al, 2012;Yen, Ko, Yen, Wu, & Yang, 2007). Our results suggest that effective evaluation and intervention of children and adolescents with ADHD and/or autistic traits for Internet addiction should be considered for its impact in the social context.…”

“…Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have both been reported in people whose characteristics resulted in a higher possibility to develop Internet addiction or compulsive Internet use (Finkenauer, Pollmann, Begeer, & Kerkhof, 2012;Yoo et al, 2004). This is not limited to a certain kind of ADHD subtypes.…”

Social Media and Depressive Symptoms in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review

“…Early evidence of adverse psychological impact was presented by Kraut and colleagues (1998) and by Young and Rodgers (1998), who found that frequent internet use raised the risk of depressive symptoms. Since then, studies have shown correlations of online activity by younger people with low self-esteem (Caplan 2002), loneliness (Clayton et al 2013), self-harm (Lam et al 2009) and autistic traits (Finkenauer et al 2012). However, other studies have indicated higher self-esteem and satisfaction with life, and reduced risk of mental health problems (Valkenburg et al 2006;Bessièrre et al 2008;Grieve et al 2013;Best et al 2014).…”

Internet Addiction Disorder

“…However, there is some concern that, despite its benefits, the Internet has the risk of addictive use in this special group of people [50].…”