Internet abusers associate with a depressive state but not a depressive trait

• Published in: Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 197 - 205
• Main Authors: Huang, Andrew Chih Wei, Chen, Huai‐En, Wang, Ying‐Chou, Wang, Le‐Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Behavior; Behavior, Addictive - psychology; Depression - diagnosis; Depression - psychology; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - psychology; depressive state; depressive trait; Female; Humans; Internet; Internet abuse; Inventory; Male; Mental depression; Personality; Personality Inventory; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Young Adult; depressive trait; Internet abuse; depressive state
• ISSN: 1323-1316; 1440-1819; 1440-1819
• DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12124

Aim The present study investigated three issues: (i) whether Internet abusers display a depressive state without a depressive trait; (ii) which symptoms are shared between Internet abuse and depression; and (iii) which personality characteristics were shown in Internet abusers. Methods Ninety‐nine male and 58 female participants aged 18–24 years were screened with the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. After screening, subjects were separated into the high‐ (n = 73) and low‐risk (n = 84) Internet abuser groups. Participants were respectively administered the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory‐II to assess a depressive state and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 to assess a depressive trait. Results The present results showed that high‐risk Internet abusers exhibited a stronger depressive state than low‐risk Internet abusers in the Beck Depression Inventory‐II. However, high‐risk Internet abusers didnot show a depressive trait in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 compared to low‐risk Internet abusers. Therefore, high‐risk Internet abuse participants exhibited a depressive state without a depressive trait. Conclusions In a comparison of the symptoms of depression and Internet abuse, it was found that high‐risk Internet abuse participants shared some common behavioral mechanisms with depression, including the psychiatric symptoms of loss of interest, aggressive behavior, depressive mood, and guilty feelings. High‐risk Internet abuse participants may be more susceptible to a temporal depressive state but not a permanent depressive trait. The present findings have clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of Internet abuse.