Problematic internet and cell-phone use: Psychological, behavioral, and health correlates

TLDR

The study assessed pathological Internet and cell‑phone use among college students and identified associated psychological, health, and behavioral correlates. Using a cross‑sectional survey of 337 students, the authors developed the Internet Over‑use Scale and Cell‑Phone Over‑use Scale and administered anxiety, depression, and general health questionnaires. The IOS and COS showed good reliability and construct validity; heavy Internet use correlated with higher anxiety, while high cell‑phone use was linked to female gender, anxiety, and insomnia, indicating the scales are promising tools.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess pathological Internet and cell-phone use in college students, and to identify psychological, health, and behavioral correlates. A cross-sectional design was utilized to gather data from 337 students. We developed two measures, termed the Internet Over-use Scale (IOS), and the Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale (COS). Additional measures utilized were the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the General Health Questionnaire-28. Results provide support for internal consistency of the IOS and the COS (α = 0.88 and α = 0.87, respectively) as well as for construct validity. Logistic regression analyses indicated that heavy Internet use is associated with high anxiety; high cell-phone use is associated to being female, and having high anxiety and insomnia. The developed measures seem to be promising tools for assessing these new behavioral addictions.