Internet use and misuse: a multivariate regression analysis of the predictive factors of internet use among Greek adolescents

Abstract

The internet is an integral tool for information, communication, and entertainment among adolescents. As adolescents devote increasing amounts of time to utilizing the internet, the risk for adopting excessive and pathological internet use is inherent. The study objectives include assessing the characteristics and predictors of excessive internet use and evaluating the prevalence of pathological internet use among Greek adolescents. A cross-sectional study design was applied to this effect. The study population (n = 897) consisted of a random sample of adolescents residing in Athens, Greece. Self-completed questionnaires, pertaining to internet access characteristics and Young's Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS) score, were applied in order to investigate the study objectives. The multivariate regression analysis indicated that the most significant predictors of overall internet use included accessing the internet via one's own home portal and for the purpose of social interaction. Internet access via the school environment was a significant deterrent among low (1-3 h/week) internet users, while access via internet cafés was a significant predictor for high (11-20 h/week) internet users. Moreover, accessing the internet for the purposes of game playing was the most significant predictor for excessive (>20 h/week) internet use. The prevalence of borderline internet use among the study population was 12.8%, while 1.00% reported addictive internet use. Also, 10.4% of male excessive internet users reported addictive internet use (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, excessive internet use is predicted solely by the location of internet access (own home portal) and the scope of internet use (i.e., sites relating to socialization and game playing) and may lead to internet addiction, particularly among male adolescents.

Relating on the Internet, Personality Traits and Depression: Research and Implications

“…With respect to gender, male participants seem to exceed time of Internet use ≥ 4hrs/day and this is again on the same line as the findings of other studies (Morahan-Martin & Schumacher, 2000;Tsitsika et al, 2009). The Pew Internet and American Life Project (2000) reports in details how women's use of the Internet differs significantly from that of men while Boneva, Kraut, and Frohlich (2001) by studying in depth this dimension, showed that gender and the roles associated with it influences the amount and type of Internet use and the satisfaction gained from that use.…”

“…With regard to Greek adolescents it appears to be on the same line as shown in the study of Tsitsika et al (2009) in Greece where the prevalence of 1.00% reported addictive Internet use while borderline Internet use among the study population was 12.8%.…”

“…Furthermore, male users according to research so far on Internet addiction or misuse seem to be those addiction prone, as men usually find it more difficult to disclose themselves or share emotions and experienced difficulties on various issues (Addis & Mahalik, 2003;Dong, Zhou, & Zhao, 2011;Tsitsika et al, 2009).…”

The effects of internet use intensity on quality of life, anxiety and depression scores in pediatric migraine

“…The control group consisted of children who are occasional Internet users who represent the current norm of Internet use of schoolchildren and adolescents of Internet use over the prior 30 days was categorized according to consensus of previous reports [7][8][9].…”

Internet Addiction or Excessive Internet Use

“…The rate of problematic Internet use in Italian adolescents was 5.4% (22). The prevalence of borderline Internet use in Greek adolescents was 12.8%, while 10.4% of male excessive Internet users reported addictive Internet use (23). Using the Pathological Internet Use (PIU) scale in British students, 18.3% were considered to be pathological Internet users (24).…”