The Internet activities, gratifications, and health consequences related to compulsive Internet use

Background: The proliferation of the Internet and Internet related applications has consequently increased the concern for compulsive internet use (CIU), particularly among adolescents. CIU shares similar qualities and definitions with other substance and behavioral addictions, which are often characterized by 1) preoccupation, 2) mood alterations, 3) tolerance, and 4) withdrawal. CIU has been linked with several mental health issues, such as depression, anhedonia, and ADHD and behavioral consequences, such as substance use, alcohol use, hostility, and suicidal ideation. Understanding the risks and consequences associated with CIU may play an important factor not only in CIU prevention but in the prevention of other associated mental and behavioral problems. ❧ Methods: This dissertation was guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Study 1 assessed CIU and Internet activities using latent class analysis among a sample of continuation high school students participating in Project Towards No Drugs Abuse in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Study 2 and Study 3 used data from the Happiness and Health Study, a study surveying regular, youths attending high schools in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Study 2 assessed pleasure derived from Internet use and its association with CIU using multi-level modeling. Study 3 assessed the longitudinal association between CIU and substance use using latent transition analysis. ❧ Results: Study 1 found that generalized Internet use and use of the Internet for specific activities were associated with greater CIU. Study 2 found certain gratifications were associated with CIU onset but not with changes in CIU. These relationships are moderated by anhedonia and gender cross-sectionally but not longitudinally. Over time, baseline CIU and identifying as “Hispanic” and “Other” ethnicity were the only variables that significantly predicted changes in CIU one year later. Study 3 found Internet Addiction (IA) was an independent behavioral consequence as well as a consequence associated with substance use behaviors among subsets of adolescents. IA was a relatively stable behavior among adolescents exhibiting IA only, whereas those who exhibited IA and substance use problems were more likely to change behaviors at follow-up. ❧ Conclusion: These findings contribute to our understanding of factors that may be associated with CIU etiology and consequence. These results suggest the importance of CIU prevention at an early age and provide insight on how best to tailor CIU prevention and intervention programs, as well as substance use programs, most effectively.