Gender differences in internet addiction: A study on variables related to its possible development

Emanuela Mari; Silvia Biondi; Manuel Varchetta; Clarissa Cricenti; Angelo Fraschetti; Alessandra Pizzo; Benedetta Barchielli; Paolo Roma; Manuel Marti Vilar; Francisco Gonzàlez Sala; Anna Maria Giannini; Alessandro Quaglieri

Computers in Human Behavior Reports (Mar 2023)

Gender differences in internet addiction: A study on variables related to its possible development

Emanuela Mari,
Silvia Biondi,
Manuel Varchetta,
Clarissa Cricenti,
Angelo Fraschetti,
Alessandra Pizzo,
Benedetta Barchielli,
Paolo Roma,
Manuel Marti Vilar,
Francisco Gonzàlez Sala,
Anna Maria Giannini,
Alessandro Quaglieri

Affiliations

Emanuela Mari: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
Silvia Biondi: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
Manuel Varchetta: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; Departamento de Psicología Básica, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
Clarissa Cricenti: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
Angelo Fraschetti: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
Alessandra Pizzo: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
Benedetta Barchielli: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
Paolo Roma: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
Manuel Marti Vilar: Departamento de Psicología Básica, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
Francisco Gonzàlez Sala: Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
Anna Maria Giannini: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
Alessandro Quaglieri: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome, Italy; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
p. 100247

Abstract

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Internet addiction and its related variables (i.e., internet gaming addiction, social media addiction, fear of missing out, phubbing) have mostly been investigated in the general population without considering possible gender differences. The present study aimed to investigate the specific characteristics of men and women in the possible development of pathological behaviors related to internet addiction. A total of 276 participants (of ages ranging from 18 to 30 years old) were recruited in the study (46.7% were males) and responded to online questionnaires on variables related to internet addiction and psychological traits. The results showed that gender represents a key factor in explaining why individuals are addicted to the internet in different ways. Stepwise linear regression analyses showed that both genders shared social media addiction as the primary predictor of internet addiction but also exclusive predictors for each gender. Knowing the variables underlying the development of internet Addiction can be useful for both prevention and treatment and tailoring intervention for this addictive behavior.

Published in Computers in Human Behavior Reports

ISSN: 2451-9588 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Mathematics: Instruments and machines: Electronic computers. Computer science; Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/computers-in-human-behavior-reports/

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