Background and aims: The primary objective of the present study was to investigate which cell-phone activities are associated with cell-phone addiction. No research to date has studied the full-range of cell-phone activities, and their relationship to cell-phone addiction, across male and female cell-phone users. Methods: College undergraduates (N = 164) participated in an online survey. Participants completed the questionnaire as part of their class requirements. The questionnaire took 10 and 15 minutes to complete and contained a measure of cell-phone addiction and questions that asked how much time participants spent daily on 24 cell-phone activities. Results: Findings revealed cell-phone activities that are associated significantly with cell-phone addiction (e.g., Instagram, Pinterest), as well as activities that one might logically assume would be associated with this form of addiction but are not (e.g., Internet use and Gaming). Cell-phone activities that drive cell-phone addiction (CPA) were found to vary considerably across male and female cell-phone users. Although a strong social component drove CPA for both males and females, the specific activities associated with CPA differed markedly. Conclusions: CPA amongst the total sample is largely driven by a desire to connect socially. The activities found to be associated with CPA, however, differed across the sexes. As the functionality of cell-phones continues to expand, addiction to this seemingly indispensable piece of technology becomes an increasingly realistic possibility. Future research must identify the activities that push cell-phone use beyond its “;tipping point” where it crosses the line from a helpful tool to one that undermines our personal well-being and that of others.

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The invisible addiction: cell-phone activities and addiction among male and female college students.

This study evaluates the association between Internal Addiction (IA) and psychiatric co-morbidity in the literature. Meta-analyses were conducted on cross-sectional, case–control and cohort studies which examined the relationship between IA and psychiatric co-morbidity. Selected studies were extracted from major online databases. The inclusion criteria are as follows: 1) studies conducted on human subjects; 2) IA and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed by standardised questionnaires; and 3) availability of adequate information to calculate the effect size. Random-effects models were used to calculate the aggregate prevalence and the pooled odds ratios (OR). Eight studies comprising 1641 patients suffering from IA and 11210 controls were included. Our analyses demonstrated a significant and positive association between IA and alcohol abuse (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 2.14-4.37, z = 6.12, P < 0.001), attention deficit and hyperactivity (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 2.15-3.77, z = 7.27, P < 0.001), depression (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 2.04-3.75, z = 6.55, P < 0.001) and anxiety (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.46-4.97, z = 3.18, P = 0.001). IA is significantly associated with alcohol abuse, attention deficit and hyperactivity, depression and anxiety.

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The association between internet addiction and psychiatric co-morbidity: a meta-analysis

We present a review of the studies that have been published about addiction to cell phones. We analyse the concept of cell phone addiction as well as its prevalence, study methodologies, psychological features and associated psychiatric comorbidities. Research in this field has generally evolved from a global view of the cell phone as a device to its analysis via applications and contents. The diversity of criteria and methodological approaches that have been used is notable, as is a certain lack of conceptual delimitation that has resulted in a broad spread of prevalent data. There is a consensus about the existence of cell phone addiction, but the delimitation and criteria used by various researchers vary. Cell phone addiction shows a distinct user profile that differentiates it from Internet addiction. Without evidence pointing to the influence of cultural level and socioeconomic status, the pattern of abuse is greatest among young people, primarily females. Intercultural and geographical differences have not been sufficiently studied. The problematic use of cell phones has been associated with personality variables such as extraversion, neuroticism, self-esteem, impulsivity, self-identity and self-image. Similarly, sleep disturbance, anxiety, stress, and, to a lesser extent, depression, which are also associated with Internet abuse, have been associated with problematic cell phone use. In addition, the present review reveals the coexistence relationship between problematic cell phone use and substance use such as tobacco and alcohol.

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Cell-Phone Addiction: A Review

Is Facebook creating iDisorders? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes and anxiety

College students' academic motivation, media engagement and fear of missing out

Introduction: Behavioral science experts believe that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive; and whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as an addiction. Researchers also believe that there are a number of similarities as well as some differences between drug addiction and behavioral addiction diagnostic symptoms. The purpose of this study is to consider different approaches in this field. Methods: This is a descriptive research using content analysis method. First, differences and similarities of various perspectives on addiction and addiction behavior in different substances were obtained, thereafter, the data was coded and categorized, subjects were discussed and major issues were extracted. Results: Behavioral addiction such as internet addiction is similar to drug addiction except that in the former, the individual is not addicted to a substance but the behavior or the feeling brought about by the relevant action. In addition, the physical signs of drug addiction, are absent in behavioral addiction. Others have stated that behaviorally addicted individuals have certain symptoms and will undergo the same consequences brought about by addiction to alcohol and drugs as well as other obsessive behaviors. Conclusion: Similar to substance abuse prevention, programs aimed at addicted individuals and specialized training can educate adolescents about the warning signs of online addiction, in order to assist the early detection of this disorder. For prevention of behavioral addiction (such as internet addiction) authorities, cultural institutions and parents should monitor the use of internet and teach to the adolescent and children, the useful and appropriate methods of internet use. Keywords: Addiction, addictive behavior, prevention

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Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction disorder is an interdisciplinary phenomenon and it has been studied from different viewpoints in terms of v arious sciences such as medicine, computer, sociology, law, ethics, and psychology. The aim of this study was to determine the association of psychiatric symptoms with Internet addiction while controlling for the effects of age, gender, marital status, and educational levels. It is hypothesized, that high levels of Internet addiction are associated with psychiatric symptoms and are specially correlated with obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total number of 250 students from Isfahan’s universities were randomly selected. Subjects complet ed the demographic questionnaire, the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R). Data was analyzed using the multiple logistic regression method. RESULTS: There was an association between psychiatric symptoms such as somatization, sensitivity, depression, anxiety, aggression, phobias , and psychosis with exception of paranoia; and diagnosis of Internet addiction controlling for age, sex, education level, marital status, and type of universities. CONCLUSIONS: A great percentage of youths in the population suffer from the adverse effects of Internet addiction. It is necessary for psychiatri sts and psychologists to be aware of the mental problems caused by Internet addiction.

/pdf/the-effect-of-psychiatric-symptoms-on-the-internet-addiction-v64jhid2zk.pdf

The effect of psychiatric symptoms on the internet addiction disorder in Isfahan's University students.

Introduction: There is growing concern about internet addiction and accessing a valid and reliable assessment tool based on DSM diagnostic criteria which can differentiate normal internet users and internet addicts, is very limited. Young internet addiction questionnaire is one of valid available questionnaires. This study was designed to investigate psychometric properties of the mentioned questionnaire. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional survey research was performed on 233 Isfahan university students in 2008. Research units were selected by quota sampling from universities of Isfahan and completed demographic questionnaire, Young Internet Addiction Test and YDQ. A clinical interview based on DSM-IV-TR was performed on all samples. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha, bisection, test-retest and ROC curve by SPSS 12. Results: Factor analysis by principal component and Varimax rotation revealed five factors of social problems, effect on performance, lack of control, pathological use of chat rooms and neglecting educational and occupational duties. Content and convergent validity, Internal consistency (α=0.88), test-retest reliability (r=0.82) and bisection (r=0.72) were determined and all were acceptable, regarding results. Best cut off point for the questionnaire was 46. Conclusion: Young's Internet Addiction Test has acceptable psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable tool that may be used in psychological and psychiatric studies in order to screen normal internet users and internet addicts.

http://www.behavsci.ir/article_67688_d310f23b74b4164740d2703c8082690f.pdf

Psychometric properties of Young internet addiction test

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of internet addiction on some psychiatric symptoms among university

Impact of addiction to internet on a number of psychiatric symptoms in students of Isfahan universities, Iran, 2010

Background: Internet occupies a large part of youth's life and each year more reports are published a bout Internet addiction disorder (IAD).This study argues the validity and reliability of Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) correspondence Iranian society and culture. Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical research. For these purpose 400 students of Isfahan universities were subjected. Sampling method was quota sampling. Cases completed demographic questionnaire, Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) and YDQ (Young Diagnostic Questionnaire). Finally we performed a psychiatric interview (based on DSM-IV-TR) for all of the samples. For data analysis we used face, discriminative and concurrent validity, Chronbach α, split half, test-retest and ROC Curve by SPSS-14 Software. Results: Concurrent validity was (r=0.78, 0.81), discriminative validity was (r=0.62). Besides YDQ shows internal consistency (α=0.70), split-half validity(r=0.64), test –retest reliability (r=0.74, p<0.01). The best cut off point for this questionnaire is number 4. Conclusion: The result showed that Persian version of YDQ is valid and reliable. Considering lack of a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring addiction to the internet, YDQ could be a suitable tool for measuring internet addiction in future research

Mehdi Eslami

Papers

Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views

The effect of psychiatric symptoms on the internet addiction disorder in Isfahan's University students.

Psychometric properties of Young internet addiction test

Impact of addiction to internet on a number of psychiatric symptoms in students of Isfahan universities, Iran, 2010

Survey on validity and reliability of diagnostic questionnaire of internet addiction disorder in students users