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Internet addiction assessment tools: dimensional structure and methodological status.
Catherine L Lortie1, Matthieu J Guitton
1Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|May 9, 2013
Summary
This study reviewed internet addiction questionnaires, finding most assess compulsive use, negative outcomes, and salience. While psychometric properties are adequate, evaluation methods vary, and factors like social motivation are overlooked.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Digital Health
Background:
- Excessive internet use is a growing concern, with potential links to addiction.
- Various questionnaires aim to assess internet addiction, but their properties require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the dimensions and psychometric properties of questionnaires designed to assess internet addiction.
- To identify common themes and potential gaps in current internet addiction assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 14 internet addiction questionnaires published between 1993 and 2011.
- Assessment of dimensional structure, construct validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity, and reliability.
Main Results:
- Compulsive use, negative outcomes, and salience were the predominant dimensions assessed (79%, 86%, and 71% respectively).
- Less common dimensions included escapism (21%) and withdrawal symptoms (36%).
- Reported measures of validity and reliability generally fell within acceptable limits.
Conclusions:
- Existing internet addiction questionnaires show convergence on compulsive use, negative outcomes, and salience, with adequate psychometric properties.
- Significant variation exists in the methodologies used to evaluate these questionnaires.
- Important factors contributing to excessive internet use, such as social motivation, are not adequately covered by current instruments.
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