Psychiatry Investig.
2021 Jul;18(7):636-644. 10.30773/pi.2020.0277.
The Gender-Sensitive Social Risk Factors for Internet Addiction in College Undergraduate Students
- Affiliations
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- 1Sichuan University-Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Chengdu, China
- 2Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- 3Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- 4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- 5Department of Psychology, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, United States
- 6Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hongkong Polytechnic University, Hongkong
- KMID: 2518580
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0277
Abstract
Objective
The current study aims to explore precipitating and social risk factors for internet addiction (IA) in university undergraduate students, and to provide evidence for interventions and the early prevention of IA in different genders.
Methods
Four thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight college sophomores completed an online survey on their internet use-related behaviours and social risk factors.
Results
We found that more male (8.3%) than female students (5.4%) had moderate and severe IA. The main online activity in the moderate and severe IA groups was online gaming in males and online streaming in females. Roommates engaging in similar internetbased entertainment was a risk factor of IA only for males, while not being in a romantic relationship was a risk factor of IA for females only. Infatuation with the internet before college and adjustment problems for college life were shared risk factors for both genders in the mild and moderate IA groups.
Conclusion
IA was a common phenomenon in college students with shared and unique precipitating and social risk factors in males and females. The gender-sensitive risk factors for IA warranted earlier and individualized intervention and prevention strategies for IA in this population.
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