Title |
Differential Psychological Impact of Internet Exposure on Internet Addicts
|
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, February 2013
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0055162 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Michela Romano, Lisa A. Osborne, Roberto Truzoli, Phil Reed |
Abstract |
The study explored the immediate impact of internet exposure on the mood and psychological states of internet addicts and low internet-users. Participants were given a battery of psychological tests to explore levels of internet addiction, mood, anxiety, depression, schizotypy, and autism traits. They were then given exposure to the internet for 15 min, and re-tested for mood and current anxiety. Internet addiction was associated with long-standing depression, impulsive nonconformity, and autism traits. High internet-users also showed a pronounced decrease in mood following internet use compared to the low internet-users. The immediate negative impact of exposure to the internet on the mood of internet addicts may contribute to increased usage by those individuals attempting to reduce their low mood by re-engaging rapidly in internet use. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 11 | 35% |
Spain | 2 | 6% |
Japan | 1 | 3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 3% |
Russia | 1 | 3% |
Slovenia | 1 | 3% |
India | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 13 | 42% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 27 | 87% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 6% |
Scientists | 1 | 3% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 3% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 2 | <1% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Germany | 1 | <1% |
France | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 197 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 34 | 17% |
Student > Bachelor | 30 | 15% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 26 | 13% |
Researcher | 21 | 10% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 12 | 6% |
Other | 37 | 18% |
Unknown | 42 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 61 | 30% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 29 | 14% |
Social Sciences | 20 | 10% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 9 | 4% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 6 | 3% |
Other | 28 | 14% |
Unknown | 49 | 24% |