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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Information technology (IT) use and children's psychological well-being
Linda A Jackson1, Hiram E Fitzgerald, Yong Zhao
1Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. Jackso67@msu.edu
Summary
Information technology (IT) use, particularly video games, is linked to lower psychological well-being. However, using the Internet for non-communication purposes may improve well-being, while communication use correlates with social issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Information technology (IT) is increasingly integrated into daily life.
- Understanding the impact of diverse IT uses on adolescent psychological well-being is crucial.
- Previous research has yielded mixed findings on the effects of technology on mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between four types of IT use and eight dimensions of psychological well-being.
- To investigate potential gender and race differences in these associations.
- To explore the differential effects of various Internet usage patterns.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 500 African American and Anglo-American adolescents (boys and girls) participated.
- Four types of information technology use were assessed.
- Parent and child ratings of eight dimensions of psychological well-being were collected.
Main Results:
- Increased overall IT use and video game use were associated with diminished psychological well-being.
- Internet use for non-communication purposes correlated positively with psychological well-being.
- Internet use for communication was linked to increased real-life social problems.
Conclusions:
- While some IT use may negatively impact psychological well-being, specific applications like non-communication Internet use show benefits.
- African American males may be particularly vulnerable to adverse IT effects due to high video game use and low Internet use.
- Findings highlight the nuanced relationship between technology engagement and adolescent mental health, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions.
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