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Assessing Internet Addiction Using the Parsimonious Internet Addiction Components Model—A Preliminary Study

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Abstract

Internet usage has grown exponentially over the last decade. Research indicates that excessive Internet use can lead to symptoms associated with addiction. To date, assessment of potential Internet addiction has varied regarding populations studied and instruments used, making reliable prevalence estimations difficult. To overcome the present problems a preliminary study was conducted testing a parsimonious Internet addiction components model based on Griffiths’ addiction components (Journal of Substance Use, 10, 191–197, 2005), including salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse. Two validated measures of Internet addiction were used (Compulsive Internet Use Scale [CIUS], Meerkerk et al. in Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12(1), 1–6, 2009, and Assessment for Internet and Computer Game Addiction Scale [AICA-S], Wölfling et al. 2010) in two independent samples (ns = 3,105 and 2,257). The fit of the model was analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results indicate that the Internet addiction components model fits the data in both samples well. The two sample/two instrument approach provides converging evidence concerning the degree to which the components model can organize the self-reported behavioural components of Internet addiction. Recommendations for future research include a more detailed assessment of tolerance as addiction component.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Birmingham City University, City North Campus, Birmingham, B42 2SU, UK

    Daria J. Kuss

  2. Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Ulster, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, UK

    Gillian W. Shorter

  3. MRC All Ireland Trials Methodology Hub, University of Ulster, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, UK

    Gillian W. Shorter

  4. IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, 3021 DM, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Antonius J. van Rooij & Tim M. Schoenmakers

  5. Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Antonius J. van Rooij & Tim M. Schoenmakers

  6. International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG14GN, UK

    Mark D. Griffiths

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  1. Daria J. Kuss
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Kuss, D.J., Shorter, G.W., van Rooij, A.J. et al. Assessing Internet Addiction Using the Parsimonious Internet Addiction Components Model—A Preliminary Study. Int J Ment Health Addiction 12, 351–366 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-013-9459-9

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