Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Compulsive internet use in adults: A study of prevalence and drivers within the current economic climate in the UK

Quinones-Garcia, C. and Kakabadse, N. K. (2014) Compulsive internet use in adults: A study of prevalence and drivers within the current economic climate in the UK. Computers in Human Behavior. 30, pp. 171-180. 0747-5632.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Compulsive Internet Use (CIU) refers to a maladaptive relationship with the tool, including a loss of control over the use, the use for mood change and withdrawal symptoms. Most studies have relied on student samples, thus little is known about its prevalence in adults. The first objective of this study was to examine CIU in adults that were either employed (N = 260) or unemployed within the last year (N = 256). Second, the drivers of CIU were examined, with a focus on attitudes that reflected the reality of long working hours and job insecurity that people experience in current workplaces. A high risk of CIU (63%) with no significant differences between employed and unemployed individuals was found. However, unemployed individuals were in the highest band of Internet use, a risk factor for CIU. Interestingly, unemployed 40–55 years old females experienced higher CIU than their male counterparts. Regarding drivers of CIU, the job attitudes working excessively and compulsively were the strongest predictors, beyond emotion stability. This was particularly true at high levels of social support. In view of this, organizations should proactively evaluate the risks associated with encouraging working excessively as ill-health consequences associated with CIU could outweigh the benefits.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Compulsive internet use, internet addiction, problematic internet use, technophiles, workaholism, employed/unemployed
Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General) > T14.5 Social aspects
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5548 Industrial psychology
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC435 Psychiatry > RC554 Personality disorders. Behavior problems > RC569.5.I54 Internet addiction
Creators: Quinones-Garcia, Cristina and Kakabadse, Nada K
Publisher: Elsevier
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Business & Law > Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour
Faculties > Faculty of Business & Law > Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour
Date: January 2014
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 171-180
Journal or Publication Title: Computers in Human Behavior
Volume: 30
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.08.004
ISSN: 0747-5632
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/6301

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item