Beyond Excessive Use: The Interaction between Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms of Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that problematic Internet use involves more than simply an excessive amount of time spent online. Participants completed self-report measures of excessive Internet use, cognitive preoccupation with the Internet, and the extent to which they experienced negative outcomes due to their Internet use. Results revealed that the association between excessive Internet use and its negative outcomes is moderated by cognitive preoccupation. The results illustrate the usefulness of including cognitive variables in studies of problematic Internet use rather than relying solely on variables measuring Internet consumption.

Keywords:

• Computer-mediated communication
• Problematic internet use

Notes

1. Although a majority of the participants' scores on all three variables were relatively low, all scales had responses reflecting the entire range of choices (e.g., minimum score = 1 and maximum score = 8). For the excessive use scale, 15.2% of the responses were above 4.5. Similarly, 10% of the scores on the cognitive preoccupation measure were above 4.5. Finally, approximately 5% of the scores on the negative outcomes measure were higher than 4.5.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott E. Caplan

Scott E. Caplan (Ph.D., Purdue University, 2000) is an assistant professor

Andrew C. High

Andrew C. High is a graduate student in the Department of Communication at the Pennsylvania State University