Internet Addiction and Psychological Factors in Eariy Adolescents |
Se Jin Ju |
Child and Adolescent Nurse Specialist, Seoul National University Hospital |
초등 청소년들의 인터넷 중독과 심리적 영향 요인 |
주세진 |
서울대학교병원 소아정신전문간호사 |
Correspondence:
Se Jin Ju, Tel: 82-2-2072-3680, Fax: 82-2-747-2471, Email: love-pdd@hanmail.net |
Received: 17 August 2007 • Revised: 17 August 2007 |
Abstract |
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which gender and psychological factors predict the severity of internet use addiction in early adolescence.
Methods A total of 345, 5th and 6th grade elementary school students were recruited for evaluation of their experiences using the internet. Severity of addiction, behavioral characteristics, level of self-efficacy and self-control, and dysfunctional attitudes were compared with sex and level of internet addiction. One-way AN OVA was used to explore gender differences in relationship to the severity of internet addiction and a number of variables.
Results This study found that subjects who had previously used the internet were predominantly male. Gender differences were also found in the severity of internet use. Lower self-control, lower self-efficacy and high dysfunctional attitudes were associated with more severe addiction among males, but not among females.
Conclusion As a result, special strategies accounting for gender differences must be implemented to prevent young adolescents with risk factors from becoming addicted to internet use. |
Key Words:
Adolescents; Internet; Psychological factors |
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