Telehealth: THE NATURE OF INTERNET ADDICTION:
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN COMPULSIVE INTERNET USE
by: David N. Greenfield, Ph. D., L.MFT, CEAP
Psychological Health Associates 10/99
Virtual-Addiction.Com
People have become physically and psychologically dependent on many
behaviors and substances for centuries. This does not appear to be limited
mere interest, but rather consists of an almost driven pattern of use that
can escalate to eventually negatively impact functioning. The key areas that seem to be impacted are marriages and relationships, employment, and
legal/financial areas. The fact that substances, such as alcohol and other
mood-altering drugs can create a physical and/or psychological dependence is well known and accepted. Even certain behaviors such as gambling, eating, work, exercise, and sex have gained more recent acceptance with regard to their addictive potential. More recently however, there has been an acknowledgement that the compulsive performance of these behaviors may mimic the addictive process found with drugs, alcohol and substances. The Internet may appear to be an additional behavior that can produce a compulsive pattern of use possibly leading to an addictive process.
What seems to be abundantly clear from the research to date is that we know very little about the human-Internet interface. Theoretical suppositions abound, but we are only just beginning to understand the nature and implications of Internet use and abuse. There is an abundance of clinical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that there is something about being online that can negative impact people in numerous ways. It is my belief that as we hone our analysis of this area we will likely discover that there are many subcategories of Internet abuse, and some of will undoubtedly exist and comorbid or concomitant disorders alongside of other addictions including sex, gambling, and compulsive spending.
Regression analysis seemed to show some initial support for seven variables
contributing to predicting Internet addiction:
- Total hours spent online.
- Other people thought you had a problem with the internet.
- Experienced serious consequences related to internet use.
- Experiences intense intimacy online.
- Keep the amount on time spent online a secret.
- Age (younger age = increased addiction risk).
- Can't wait to get on to the computer and go online.
Other variables that seem to be most relevant are the experiences of
accelerated intimacy, ease and availability of access, anonymity,
disinhibition, loss of boundaries, and potency of content.
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