A Comparative Study of Internet Addiction Between Us and China
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIOR Volume 11, Number 6, 2008 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/cpb.2008.0026
Rapid Communication
A Comparative Study of Internet Addiction between the United States and China
Lixuan Zhang, Ph.D.,1 Clinton Amos, Ph.D.,1 and William C. McDowell, Ph.D.2
Abstract
This study explored Internet addiction among university students in China and the United States to develop a better understanding of Internet addiction in a cross-national setting. Three hundred fourteen respondents were evaluated on 10 Internet addiction symptoms and five Internet addiction dimensions: negative outcomes, social escape, secretive behavior, virtual intimacy, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. The results indicate that Chinese students experience a higher rate of Internet addiction than their U.S. counterparts. Additionally, gender was found to be significantly related to Internet addiction for both the U.S. and Chinese sample, while Internet experience was found to not be significantly related to Internet addiction. We conclude that Internet addiction may result as an artifact of the stage of Internet adoption within a society.
Introduction
T
HIS REPORT EXAMINES results from a comparative study of Internet addiction between the United States and China. It presents data on indicators of Internet addiction in conjunction with country-of-origin and gender effects. Internet addiction is a growing phenomenon affecting people with varying frequency around the world. Internet addiction is typically characterized by psychomotor agitation, anxiety, craving, and constant online surfing despite negative effects on social and psychological welfare.1 A plethora of literature examines various aspects of Internet addiction, including determinants of Internet addiction,2 the effects of Internet addiction on well-being,3 and Internet addiction treatment.4 However, the literature is void of a crossnational comparison of Internet addiction. We fill that gap by
Rapid Communication
A Comparative Study of Internet Addiction between the United States and China
Lixuan Zhang, Ph.D.,1 Clinton Amos, Ph.D.,1 and William C. McDowell, Ph.D.2
Abstract
This study explored Internet addiction among university students in China and the United States to develop a better understanding of Internet addiction in a cross-national setting. Three hundred fourteen respondents were evaluated on 10 Internet addiction symptoms and five Internet addiction dimensions: negative outcomes, social escape, secretive behavior, virtual intimacy, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. The results indicate that Chinese students experience a higher rate of Internet addiction than their U.S. counterparts. Additionally, gender was found to be significantly related to Internet addiction for both the U.S. and Chinese sample, while Internet experience was found to not be significantly related to Internet addiction. We conclude that Internet addiction may result as an artifact of the stage of Internet adoption within a society.
Introduction
T
HIS REPORT EXAMINES results from a comparative study of Internet addiction between the United States and China. It presents data on indicators of Internet addiction in conjunction with country-of-origin and gender effects. Internet addiction is a growing phenomenon affecting people with varying frequency around the world. Internet addiction is typically characterized by psychomotor agitation, anxiety, craving, and constant online surfing despite negative effects on social and psychological welfare.1 A plethora of literature examines various aspects of Internet addiction, including determinants of Internet addiction,2 the effects of Internet addiction on well-being,3 and Internet addiction treatment.4 However, the literature is void of a crossnational comparison of Internet addiction. We fill that gap by
References: 1. Ferraro G, Caci B, D’Amico A, et al. Internet addiction disorder: an Italian study. CyberPsychology & Behavior 2007; 10:170–7. 2. Armstrong L, Phillips J, Saling L. Potential determinants of heavier Internet usage. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 2000; 53:537–50. 3. Li S-M, Chung T-M. Internet function and Internet addictive behavior. Computers in Human Behavior 2006; 22:1067–71. 4. Young K. Cognitive behavior therapy with Internet addicts: treatment outcomes and implications. CyberPsychology & Behavior 2007; 10:671–9. 5. Lu MT. Digital divide in developing countries. Journal of Global Information Technology Management 2001; 4:1–4. 6. Kirk D. Demographic transition theory. Population Studies 1996; 50:361–87. 7. Wang W. Internet dependency and psychosocial maturity among college students. International Journal of HumanComputer Studies 2001; 55:919–38. Address reprint requests to: Dr. Lixuan Zhang Hull College of Business Augusta State University 2500 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30904 E-mail: lixuan.zhang@gmail.com