Evidence for an Internet Addiction Disorder

Abstract

These findings suggest that the Internet can serve as a negative reinforcer for behavior in higher problem users and that the reinforcement obtained from the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms becomes conditioned, with the color and appearance of the visited Web sites giving them a more positive value.

Differential physiological changes following internet exposure in higher and lower problematic internet users

“…These findings show that the impact from cessation of an internet session on higher-PIU scorers is not restricted to psychological variables [16–19,27]. Higher-PIU scorers also show greater increased systolic blood pressure and greater increased heart rate after cessation of an internet session compared to lower-PIU scores.…”

“…Previous examinations of the changes in psychological state as a result of internet exposure have identified medium-sized effects [12,17,27], as have those investigating the physiological impact of substance cessation [21–23]. Assuming such medium effect-sizes ( d = .5) between lower- and higher-PIU groups in the current study, for a power of .80, and adopting a significance criterion of p < .05, then an N of 128 would be necessary to identify differences.…”

“…The period of exposure to the internet was short to be in line with previous studies of the impact of internet use on psychological and behavioral function [12,17], but also because current usage of the internet is largely through mobile devices, on which people spend many but short sessions, rather than the previously longer sessions at a PC [19,27]. The number and nature of the websites visited was recorded for each participant.…”

“…As with the previous explorations of these issues for those impacted by addictive substances [21–23], blood pressure and heart rate were used as the physiological measures; with state anxiety and mood being the psychological variables measured, as these have been noted previously to be impacted by internet cessation [16,17]. These variables were measured immediately prior to and after an internet session, and changes in these variables were noted in order to assess the impact of cessation of exposure to the internet [17,27]. To rule out the influence of psychological variables that are often associated with PIU (i.e.…”

“…depression [9] and trait anxiety [8]), and which may impact physiological changes, these factors were also assessed for the participants, and included in the analyses as covariates. If those who self-report higher levels of PIU display psychological withdrawal effects akin to those seen previously, then there should be an increase in state anxiety and changes in mood following cessation of the internet session [16–19,27]. Furthermore, if these individuals show physiological withdrawal effects akin to those seen for individuals addicted to substances, there should also be changes in their physiological functioning following cessation of the internet session.…”