Kimberly S. Young

Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder

Anecdotal reports indicated that some on-line users were becoming addicted to the Internet in much the same way that others became addicted to drugs or alcohol, which resulted in academic, social, and occupational impairment. However, research among sociologists, psychologists, or psychiatrists has not formally identified addictive use of the Internet as a problematic behavior. This study investigated the existence of Internet addiction and the extent of problems caused by such potential misuse. Of all the diagnoses referenced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1995), Pathological Gambling was viewed as most akin to the pathological nature of Internet use. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, addictive Internet use can be defined as an impulse-control disorder that does not involve an intoxicant. Therefore, this study developed a brief eight-item questionnaire referred to as a Diagnostic Questionnaire (DQ), which mod...

The Relationship Between Depression and Internet Addiction

Prior research has utilized the Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI) and found that moderate to severe rates of depression coexist with pathological Internet use.1 Although the ZDI was utilized for its expediency with on-line administration, its limitations include poor normative data and less frequent clinical use. Therefore, this study utilized the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which has more accurate norms and frequent usage among dual diagnostic patient populations. An on-line survey administered on a World Wide Web site utilized the BDI as part of a larger study. A total of 312 surveys was collected with 259 valid profiles from addicted users, which again supported significant levels of depression to be associated with pathological Internet use. This article discusses how a treatment protocol should emphasis the primary psychiatric condition if related to a subsequent impulse control problem such as pathological Internet use. Effective management of psychiatric symptoms may indirectly correct pathologi...

Psychology of Computer Use: XL. Addictive Use of the Internet: A Case That Breaks the Stereotype:

This case involves a homemaker 43 years of age who is addicted to using the Internet. This case was selected as it demonstrates that a nontechnologically oriented woman with a reportedly content home life and no prior addiction or psychiatric history abused the Internet which resulted in significant impairment to her family life. This paper defines addictive use of the Internet, outlines the subjects progression of addictive on-line use, and discusses the implications of such addictive behavior on the new market of Internet consumers.

Internet Addiction A New Clinical Phenomenon and Its Consequences

New research identifies online users who became hooked on chat rooms, interactive games, and even eBay only to see their lives become increasingly unmanageable because of the Internet. Prior research explores the addictive qualities sustaining drug and alcohol abuse, pathological gambling, and even video game addiction; however, given the relative newness of Internet addiction, little is understood about the habit-forming nature of the Internet and its potential for abuse. As the Internet permeates our lives at home, school, and work, this article takes a closer look at how the Internet can create marital-, academic-, and job-related problems. This article outlines a workable definition of Internet addiction and as a clinical new phenomenon, explores the major consequences created by Internet addiction, including online affairs, student Internet abuse, and employee Internet abuse. Future areas for research and practice are also discussed.

Cognitive behavior therapy with Internet addicts: treatment outcomes and implications.

Research over the last decade has identified Internet addiction as a new and often unrecognized clinical disorder that impact a users ability to control online use to the extent that it can cause relational, occupational, and social problems. While much of the literature explores the psychological and social factors underlying Internet addiction, little if any empirical evidence exists that examines specific treatment outcomes to deal with this new client population. Researchers have suggested using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the treatment of choice for Internet addiction, and addiction recovery in general has utilized CBT as part of treatment planning. To investigate the efficacy of using CBT with Internet addicts, this study investigated 114 clients who suffered from Internet addiction and received CBT at the Center for Online Addiction. This study employed a survey research design, and outcome variables such as client motivation, online time management, improved social relationships, improved sexual functioning, engagement in offline activities, and ability to abstain from problematic applications were evaluated on the 3rd, 8th, and 12th sessions and over a 6-month follow-up. Results suggested that Caucasian, middle-aged males with at least a 4-year degree were most likely to suffer from some form of Internet addiction. Preliminary analyses indicated that most clients were able to manage their presenting complaints by the eighth session, and symptom management was sustained upon a 6-month follow-up. As the field of Internet addiction continues to grow, such outcome data will be useful in treatment planning with evidenced-based protocols unique to this emergent client population.

Online infidelity: A new dimension in couple relationships with implications for evaluation and treatment

Abstract Prior research has examined how Internet addiction can impact couple relationships. This article investigates how with the advent of the Internet a new dimension has been created for romantic and sexual relationships. Reports are suggesting that electronic communication can lead to marital discord, separation, and possible divorce. The ACE model (Anonymity, Convenience, Escape), which was hypothesized as a driving force behind cybersexual addiction, provides a framework to explain the underlying cyber-cultural dynamics that can increase the risk of virtual adultery. Warning signs of a cyberaffair are outlined to alert clients and therapists to this new aspect of couple relationships. Clinicians working in the aftermath of an online romantic and/or sexual encounter need to improve a couples communication and cohesion and to assess for more severe problems such as sexual addiction. Specific interventions focus on strategies for rebuilding trust, ways to improve marital communication, educating couples on whether these behaviors indicate an underlying addictive process, and how to restore trust and commitment after a cyberaffair.

Internet Addiction: A Handbook and Guide to Evaluation and Treatment

Foreword vii Acknowledgments ix About the Editors xi List of Contributors xiii Introduction xv PART I UNDERSTANDING INTERNET BEHAVIOR AND ADDICTION Chapter 1 Prevalence Estimates and Etiologic Models of Internet Addiction 3 Kimberly S. Young, Xiao Dong Yue, and Li Ying Chapter 2 Clinical Assessment of Internet-Addicted Clients 19 Kimberly S. Young Chapter 3 Online Social Interaction, PsychosocialWell-Being, and Problematic Internet Use 35 Scott E. Caplan and Andrew C. High Chapter 4 Uses and Gratifications of Internet Addiction 55 Robert LaRose Chapter 5 Addiction to Online Role-Playing Games 73 Lukas Blinka and David Smahel Chapter 6 Gambling Addiction on the Internet 91 Mark Griffiths Chapter 7 Cybersex Addiction and Compulsivity 113 David L. Delmonico and Elizabeth J. Griffin PART II PSYCHOTHERAPY, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION Chapter 8 The Addictive Properties of Internet Usage 135 David Greenfield Chapter 9 Psychotherapy for Internet Addiction 155 Cristiano Nabuco de Abreu and Dora Sampaio Goes Chapter 10 Working with Adolescents Addicted to the Internet 173 Keith W. Beard Chapter 11 Internet Infidelity: A Real Problem 191 Monica T. Whitty Chapter 12 Twelve-Step Recovery in Inpatient Treatment for Internet Addiction 205 Shannon Chrismore, Ed Betzelberger, Libby Bier, and Tonya Camacho Chapter 13 Toward the Prevention of Adolescent Internet Addiction 223 Jung-Hye Kwon Chapter 14 Systemic Dynamics with Adolescents Addicted to the Internet 245 Franz Eidenbenz Chapter 15 Closing Thoughts and Future Implications 267 Kimberly S. Young and Cristiano Nabuco de Abreu Author Index 275 Subject Index 281

Internet Sex Addiction Risk Factors, Stages of Development, and Treatment

Internet sex addiction typically involves viewing, downloading, and trading online pornography or engagement in adult fantasy role-play rooms. Adult Web sites comprise the largest segment of electronic commerce catering to a wide variety of sexual interests. Given the widespread availability of sexually explicit material online, Internet sex addiction is the most common form of problem online behavior among users. Using research and illustrative case studies, this chapter explores how sexually explicit material enters our homes, schools, and business, and examines the risk factors that lead to addiction. As new users are more at risk to become hooked on online porn or adult sex chat rooms, this chapter presents a model that shows the progressive stages of development underlying Internet sex addiction and how the Internet enables sexually explicit behavior to develop. Finally, this chapter reviews current treatment practices associated with the disorder and the implications of new mobile technologies.

Internet abuse in the workplace: new trends in risk management.

This paper empirically examines the effectiveness of emergent risk management practices that attempt to reduce and control employee Internet abuse and its potential for addiction. Over a 6-month period, 50 usable web-administered surveys were collected. Respondents ranged from human resource managers to company presidents. Data were stored in a database management system and analyzed utilizing statistical measures. Implementation levels of Internet use policies, management training, and clinical rehabilitation were examined and their level of perceived effectiveness to deter employee Internet abuse was evaluated. Organizational size and its impact on perceived effectiveness were also examined. This research will assist organizations in implementing effective corporate initiatives to improve employee Internet management practices. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are also explored.

Internet Addiction: Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations

Internet addiction is a new and often unrecognized clinical disorder that can cause relational, occupational, and social problems. Pathological gambling is compared to problematic internet use because of overlapping diagnostic criteria. As computers are used with great frequency, detection and diagnosis of internet addiction is often difficult. Symptoms of a possible problem may be masked by legitimate use of the internet. Clinicians may overlook asking questions about computer use. To help clinicians identify internet addiction in practice, this paper provides an overview of the problem and the various subtypes that have been identified. The paper reviews conceptualizations of internet addiction, various forms that the disorder takes, and treatment considerations for working with this emergent client population.