Testing the spectrum hypothesis of problematic online behaviors: A network analysis approach.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_054AF90C6600
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Testing the spectrum hypothesis of problematic online behaviors: A network analysis approach.
Journal
Addictive behaviors
ISSN
1873-6327 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0306-4603
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2022
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
135
Pages
107451
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
The validity of the constructs of problematic Internet or smartphone use and Internet or smartphone addiction has been extensively debated. The spectrum hypothesis posits that problematic online behaviors (POBs) may be conceptualized within a spectrum of related yet distinct entities. To date, the hypothesis has received preliminary support, and further robust empirical studies are still needed. The present study tested the spectrum hypothesis of POBs in an Australian community sample (n = 1,617) using a network analysis approach. Psychometrically validated self-report instruments were used to assess six types of POBs: problematic online gaming, cyberchondria, problematic cybersex, problematic online shopping, problematic use of social networking sites, and problematic online gambling. A tetrachoric correlation matrix was computed to explore relationships between online activities and a network analysis was used to analyze relationships between POBs. Correlations between online activities were positive and significant, but of small magnitude (0.051 ≤ r ≤ 0.236). The community detection analysis identified six distinct communities, corresponding to each POB, with strong relationships between items within each POB and weaker relationships between POBs. These findings provide further empirical support for the spectrum hypothesis, suggesting that POBs occur as distinct entities and with little overlap.
Keywords
Australia/epidemiology, Behavior, Addictive/diagnosis, Behavior, Addictive/epidemiology, Gambling/epidemiology, Humans, Internet, Internet Addiction Disorder/epidemiology, Video Games, Behavioral addictions, Network analysis, Problematic online behaviors
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
08/08/2022 11:07
Last modification date
21/03/2023 6:47