RESUMO
Research shows that internet addiction continues to grow globally, with wider access to the internet and changing use of smartphones. The compulsive internet use scale (CIUS) which has been found to be consistently associated with pathological internet use, is widely considered a measure for prolonged and problematic internet use. CIUS had been translated and adapted in several countries with reports of good reliability. However, to our knowledge this is the first study that examined the psychometric properties of the CIUS scale in three countries who share similar collectivistic attitudes and are a part of growing economies. This link was shared widely amongst young adults (aged 18-25 years), and a total of 837 participants completed the questionnaires. They completed the CIUS scale alongside a measure for escapism and self-esteem. These additional self-reports were added to assess the construct validity of the CIUS. The results from this study confirms the single factor structure of the CIUS as the best fit for this scale, this single factor solution was found for all the three countries. Similarly, high scores of internal reliability were observed for samples in India, Philippines and Turkey. We further found the CIUS to positively correlate with scores of escapism in the Turkish sample only. Taken together these results suggest that the CIUS is an effective measure regardless of country of residence, whilst highlighting the underlying differences in escapism that may need further attention.
RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on everyday functioning, considerable measures being taken to reduce the spread of the virus. Schools and social avenues have been placed on prolonged lockdowns, with people continuing to maintain physical distance. Adolescents and young people have had to endure significant stress alongside dealing with developmental characteristics. Amidst all of this, studies report an increase in gaming addiction and internet use with detrimental impact on psychosocial well-being. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of lockdown on internet use in adolescents, comparing their habits from before the pandemic. Furthermore, this research aimed to investigate the relationship between gaming addiction, internet use and COVID-19 worries. Adolescents from several countries (e.g., India, Malaysia, Mexico and the UK) completed online questionnaires, shared via social media and youth networks. These measures included questions on internet, social media, gaming, depression, loneliness, escapism and COVID-19. Results show that adolescents generally have increased their use of social media sites and streaming services. Further, those who scored highly on gaming addiction, compulsive internet use and social media use also reported high scores of depression, loneliness, escapism, poor sleep quality and anxiety related to the pandemic. Our findings indicate that, regardless of country of residence, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant effect on adolescent internet use and psychosocial well-being. The need to address pandemic related distress to reduce the effect of maladaptive coping strategies is highlighted
La pandemia del COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto significativo en el funcionamiento diario, tomándose medidas importantes para reducir la propagación del virus. Las escuelas y los espacios públicos se han cerrado durante largos periodos, y la distancia física se ha impuesto. Los adolescentes y jóvenes han tenido que soportar un estrés significativo al tiempo que lidiar con las situaciones propias de su desarrollo. Los estudios informan de un aumento en la adicción al juego y al uso de Internet con un impacto perjudicial en el bienestar psicosocial. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar el impacto del confinamiento en el uso de Internet en los adolescentes, comparando sus hábitos con antes de la pandemia. Además, se estudia la relación entre la adicción al juego, el uso de Internet y las preocupaciones por el COVID-19. Adolescentes de varios países (India, Malasia, México y Reino Unido) completaron los cuestionarios online, que se distribuyeron a través de redes sociales y redes de jóvenes. Se incluyeron preguntas sobre Internet, redes sociales, juego, depresión, soledad, aversión y COVID-19. Los resultados muestran que los adolescentes en general han aumentado el uso de redes sociales y de servicios de transmisión. Además, los que obtuvieron puntuaciones altas en adicción al juego, uso compulsivo de Internet y uso de redes sociales también informaron de puntuaciones altas en depresión, soledad, aversión, mala calidad del sueño y ansiedad relacionada con la pandemia. Nuestros hallazgos indican que, independientemente del país de residencia, el confinamiento por COVID-19 ha tenido un efecto significativo en el uso de Internet y en el bienestar psicosocial de los adolescentes. Se destaca la necesidad de abordar el distrés relacionado con la pandemia para reducir el efecto de las estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas
