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MEASUREMENTS
An exploratory survey consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended questions was constructed for this study that could be administered by electronic collection. The survey initially administered the Young’s (1996a) eight-item questionnaire to classify subjects as addicted (Dependents) or non-addicted Internet users (Non-Dependents). As part of a larger study, respondents were administered the Sixteen Personality Factor Inventory (16PF). Finally, demographic information about the respondent such as gender, age, the number of years of education, and vocational background (classified as none, blue-collar, non-tech white collar, high-tech white collar) was also gathered.
PROCEDURES
The survey electronically existed as a World-Wide Web (WWW) page implemented on a UNIX-based server which captured the answers into a text file. The WWW location of the survey was submitted to several popular search engines and newgroups available to assist on-line users in finding Web pages of interest. On-line users entering keyword searches using "Internet" or "addiction" would find the survey and have the option to follow the link to the survey in order to fill it out. Answers to the survey were sent in a text file directly to the principal investigator’s electronic mailbox for analysis. Respondents who answered "yes" to five or more of the questions were deemed Dependent. All valid profiles, regardless of their score completed the entire on-line survey. The data from both sets of respondents were kept for future research which will compare responses from both groups. The qualitative data gathered were then subjected to content analysis to identify the range of characteristics, behaviors and attitudes found.
RESULTS
A total of 312 surveys were collected with 259 valid geographically dispersed profiles from Dependents. The sample included 130 males with a mean age of 31; and 129 females with a mean age of 33. Educational background was classified as 30% high school degree or less, 38% obtained an Associates or Bachelors degree, 10% obtained a masters degree or doctorate, and 22% were still in school. Vocational background was classified as 15% none (e.g., homemaker or retired), 31% students, 6% blue-collar employment (e.g., factor worker or auto mechanic), 22% non-tech white collar employment (e.g., school teacher or bank teller), and 26% high-tech white collar employment (e.g., computer scientist or systems analyst).
Results from the 16PF are listed in Table 1. Analysis of means and standard deviations show Dependents to rank high in terms of being self-reliant, a strong preference for solitary activities, and tend to restrict their social outlets. Dependents were abstract thinkers who appear less conforming to social convention and more emotionally reactive towards others. Results also show that Dependents tended to be sensitive, vigilant, and private individuals.
DISCUSSION
There are several limitations involved in this study which must first be addressed. Initially, the sample size of 259 Dependents is relatively small compared to the estimated 56 million current Internet users (IntelliQuest, 1997). Furthermore, this study has inherent biases present in its methodology by utilizing an expedient group of self-selected Internet users coupled with the questionable accuracy of on-line responses. Therefore, the generalizability of results must be interrupted with caution and continued research should include larger sample sizes to yield more accurate results. Future research efforts should also attempt to randomly select samples off-line in order to eliminate the methodological limitations of an on-line survey and to improve the clinical utility of the information gathered.
However, this preliminary analysis yields initial data which can be utilized to draw several hypotheses to use in further investigations. On-line users who pre-morbidly demonstrate highly developed abstract thinking skills may develop addictive patterns of Internet use as they are drawn to the mental stimulation offered through the infinite databases and information available. On-line users who tend to lead a more solitary and socially inactive lifestyle may be at greater risk for pathological Internet use. Shotton (1991) was the first to hypothesize that those who suffered from computer dependency were more likely to maintain a schizoid lifestyle and feel comfortable with prolonged periods of social isolation. Thus, it is equally as likely that those who suffer from Internet addiction do not experience the same feelings of alienation others feel when spending long periods of time sitting alone. Additionally, the Internet’s interactive capabilities may help the on-line user to feel a sense of connectness among other users despite being physically alone.
Similar to research conducted on CB radio operators (e.g., Dannefer & Kasen, 1981), anonymous communication utilizing "handles" allows individuals to talk on-line with one another in unique ways. Gender, ethic background, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and marital status are hidden behind text-based interactions. On-line handles can even be used to alter one’s presence via descriptions which are false such as "Rambo" for a petite woman or "Lusty Female" for a married man. Through such anonymous interaction, Internet users can engage in free expression, develop new on-line personas, and flame others (i.e., often unfiltered rude remarks). Prior research has speculated that specific applications appeared to play a significant role in the development of pathological Internet use (Young, 1996a). Dependents were less likely to control their use of highly interactive features than other on-line applications. It is possible that a unique reinforcement exists that such anonymous on-line relationships gathered from such interactive applications have the ability to provide fulfillment of unmet real life social needs (Young, 1997b).
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