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Internet and psychopathology: an analysis of the use of the Web by 1075 students at secondary school

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Gerardo Favaretto ,
Idana Morandin ,
Michele Gava  and
Fabio Binotto
Idana Morandin
Affiliation:
Dipartimenio di Salute Mentale, Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria no 7, Pieve di Soligo (Treviso)
Michele Gava
Affiliation:
Unità Controllo di Gestione, Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria no 7, Pieve di Soligo (Treviso)
Fabio Binotto
Affiliation:
Servizio per l'Informatica, Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria no 7, Pieve di Soligo (Treviso)
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Summary

Aims – The purpose of this research is to make a contribution to analysing the complex issue of the relationship between Internet use and psychological disorders, and proposes a survey of the typical features and effects of such use among a sample of secondary school students. Pattern – The research was carried out on a sample of 1075 students aged 14-21 from two secondary schools, where students are prevalently male in one and female in the other; computer science is part of the teaching programme in both institutes. Instruments used – General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Goldberg's 28-item version, together with a form to collect individual and social data and information about the actual use of Internet, such as number of years, number of hours a day/a week, subjective experience, quantitative-qualitative perception of the connection. Results – There is a clear and significant correlation between weekly hours of use and GHQ scores. Conclusions – Analysis of our sample confirms certain statements found in the relevant literature concerning a possible relationship between the use of Internet and psychological disorders.

Declaration of Interest: none.

Keywords

InternetInternet Addiction DisorderInternet behavioursstudents and Internet
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 249 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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