An exploration of the relationship between internet usage, depression and impulsivity. Grace Y Wang (AUT)

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1 An exploration of the relationship between internet usage, depression and impulsivity Grace Y Wang (AUT)

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4 THE INTERNET The impact of the Internet has become widespread in all aspects of our lives. There are benefits and positive consequences associated with increased Internet usage. A sense of connectedness, satisfaction, utility, and positive learning experiences reported by older adults (Gatto and Tak, 2008) Despite its benefits, a variety of negative consequences have been reported to be associated with excessive use of the Internet.

5 POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES? Is it possible that excessive Internet use to be comparable to substance-related addictions due to the similar experiences of a number of biopsychosocial symptoms and consequences? If so, used in high frequency and maladaptive pattern, Internet use could lead to impairments in one s academic, social, and occupational function

6 RESEARCH BACKGROUND A newly emerging mental health problem Primarily in the context of online gaming addiction The inclusion of internet gaming disorder in Section 3 of DSM-5 opens discussions for other behavioral addictions, a highly controversial topic. Billieux (2012) argued that Internet-related disorders have to be conceptualized within a spectrum of related and yet independent disorders. IGD is not the same as IA.

7 DOES INTERNET ADDICTION EXIST? There is a meaningful and conceptual difference between addictions on the Internet and addictions to the Internet. Griffiths (2000) describes IA as a non-chemical behavioural addiction that requires human interaction, and includes reinforcing factors that promote the addictive tendencies. Griffiths, M. (2000) Does internet and computer addiction exist? Some case study evidence. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 3(2), There is still no international consensus regarding the conceptualization, diagnosis or treatment of Internet related disorders. what is treated by researchers as pathological behaviour may be a new way of life for which researchers currently have only pathological interpretations.

8 RESEARCH AIM Investigate the phenomenon of Internet addiction through the exploration of the relationships between Internet usage, depression and impulsivity in healthy populations.

9 PARTICIPANTS Participants were recruited via advertisements Aged 18 or above, used the Internet for non-study/work related purposes, and had no history of significant head injury, alcohol or substance abuse, seizure disorder, or psychotic disorder.

10 OUTCOME MEASURES The intensity of Internet use was measured using Young s Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The 20 items assess the extent of preoccupation, compulsive use, behavioural problems, emotional changes, and general functioning associated with Internet use. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11(BIS-11) were divided into 3 subscales; these include attentional impulsiveness, motor impulsiveness and non-planning impulsiveness.

11 RESULTS 30 participants (15 females ), age ranged from 18 to 50, with a mean of years (SD=7.74). 20.0% NZ European, 3.3% Maori, 3.3% Pacific, 6.7% Chinese, 46.7% Indian and 20.0% classified as Others (African, Iraqi, Middle Eastern, Russian, or South African). Mean years of education was (SD=1.9), with varying levels of education; 33.3% were at postgraduate level, 36.7% were at undergraduate level and 30.0% had a high school certificate.

12 RESULTS The intensity of Internet use was significantly correlated with depression (r=0.34, p = 0.01), and attentional Impulsiveness (r = 0.36, p <0.01). Regression analysis revealed that depression explained 54.8% of the variance in intensity of Internet use [adjusted R 2 =0.33; F (1, 27) = 11.6, p = 0.002] while the addition of attentional impulsiveness explained a further 0.07% of the variance [adjusted R 2 =0.37; F (3, 25) = 4.99, p = 0.008].

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14 DISCUSSION Our findings support an association between Internet use, depression and impulsivity. Intensity of Internet use may be modified by a person s psychological well-being, i.e. depression Impulsivity is, in itself, associated with addictive behaviour Association with Impulsivity may implicate the potential effect of excessive Internet use on cognition. A recent study by Hadlington et al. (2015) showed the link with Internet use and problematic mobile phone use, and cognitive failures in daily life. A study by Dong et al. (2010) measured response inhibition in individual with Internet Addiction when performing GO/NOGO task using EEG showed decreased neural activation for conflict detection compared to healthy controls.

15 POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS People with depression may compensate for feelings of loneliness by socializing on a social networking site Individuals preoccupied with the Internet may substitute time they would have previously spent engaged in social activities for time now devoted to the Internet. Excessive use of the Internet could possibly lessen the significance of physical proximity in the creation and maintenance systems of strong social ties. Cognitive performance may be optimised and may require fewer resources when a task is performed quickly

16 LESS FACE TO FACE COMMUNICATION

17 MISINFORMATION

18 STUDY LIMITATIONS Small sample Correlations Change over time?

19 TAKE HOME MESSAGES Depression and impulsiveness have direct associations with Internet use. The findings of the present study implicate early evaluation and intervention may be required for people with excessive internet use. Further research is warranted.

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21 Thank you and questions??