Psychological well-being and adolescents’ Internet addiction: A school-based cross-sectional study in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Author(s)
Cheung, J. C. S.
Chan, K. H. W.
Lui, Y. W.
Chan, C.
Date Issued
2018
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Volume
35
Issue
5
Start page
477
End page
487
Abstract
This study examines the correlations of adolescents’ self-esteem, loneliness and depression with their internet use behaviors with a sample of 665 adolescents from seven secondary schools in Hong Kong. The results suggest that frequent online gaming is more strongly correlated to internet addiction and such correlation is higher than other predictors of internet addiction in online behaviors including social interactions or viewing of pornographic materials. Male adolescents tend to spend more time on online gaming than female counterparts. In terms of the effect of internet addiction on adolescents’ psychological well-being, self-esteem is negatively correlated with internet addiction, whereas depression and loneliness are positively correlated with internet addiction. Comparatively, depression had stronger correlation with internet addiction than loneliness or self esteem. A standardized definition and assessment tool for identifying internet addiction appears to be an unmet need. Findings from this study provide insights for social workers and teachers on designing preventive programs for adolescents susceptible to internet addiction, as well as emotional disturbance arising from internet addiction.
SFU Affiliated Publication
Yes
Availability at SFU Library
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