Online communication, compulsive Internet use, and psychosocial well-being among adolescents: a longitudinal study.
The present study investigated the relationships between adolescents' online communication and compulsive Internet use, depression, and loneliness. The study had a 2-wave longitudinal design with an interval of 6 months. The sample consisted of 663 students, 318 male and 345 female, ages 12 to 15 years. Questionnaires were administered in a classroom setting. The results showed that instant messenger use and chatting in chat rooms were positively related to compulsive Internet use 6 months later. Moreover, in agreement with the well-known HomeNet study (R. Kraut et al., 1998), instant messenger use was positively associated with depression 6 months later. Finally, loneliness was negatively related to instant messenger use 6 months later.
van den Eijnden
Regina J J M
RJ
Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadsingel 194, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Eijnden@ivo.nl
Meerkerk
Gert-Jan
GJ
Vermulst
Ad A
AA
Spijkerman
Renske
R
Engels
Rutger C M E
RC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data