Problematic online behaviors constitute related yet distinct conditions: A cross-sectional study.
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This study tested the Spectrum hypothesis of problematic online behaviors (POBs) which posits that POBs (e.g.,
online gaming, gambling, sexual activities, and social networking) constitute distinct, yet related constructs. To
overcome the limitations of previous research, we recruited a representative sample of young men and capi-
talized on a common assessment approach (Fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders [DSM-5] and Eleventh version of the International Classification of Diseases [ICD-11] frameworks).
The study was a single-center, observational study with a cross-sectional design (n = 2620). All targeted be-
haviors were assessed using the proposed criteria of the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. The correlation analysis showed
that online activities were weakly correlated (0.01 ≤ r ≤ 0.19), suggesting that when people engage in one
specific online activity to a problematic extent, they do not necessarily engage in several online activities in an
excessive way. Using a network analysis, we showed that various POBs might reflect distinct constructs. The
community detection analysis identified four communities of items corresponding to each POB. Our robust
methodology and sampling strategy suggests that the construct of “Internet addiction” could be misleading. This
epistemological shift might be necessary to develop adequate clinical care and public health measures to address
POBs.
online gaming, gambling, sexual activities, and social networking) constitute distinct, yet related constructs. To
overcome the limitations of previous research, we recruited a representative sample of young men and capi-
talized on a common assessment approach (Fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders [DSM-5] and Eleventh version of the International Classification of Diseases [ICD-11] frameworks).
The study was a single-center, observational study with a cross-sectional design (n = 2620). All targeted be-
haviors were assessed using the proposed criteria of the DSM-5 and the ICD-11. The correlation analysis showed
that online activities were weakly correlated (0.01 ≤ r ≤ 0.19), suggesting that when people engage in one
specific online activity to a problematic extent, they do not necessarily engage in several online activities in an
excessive way. Using a network analysis, we showed that various POBs might reflect distinct constructs. The
community detection analysis identified four communities of items corresponding to each POB. Our robust
methodology and sampling strategy suggests that the construct of “Internet addiction” could be misleading. This
epistemological shift might be necessary to develop adequate clinical care and public health measures to address
POBs.
Date of Publication
2024-11
Publication Type
Article
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Bosson, Maurane | |
Berle, David | |
Starcevic, Vladan | |
Simon, Olivier | |
Billieux, Joël |
Series
Computers in Human Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0747-5632
Access(Rights)
open.access