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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 6/2014

01-12-2014

Prevalence of Internet Addiction in a Sample of Southern Italian High School Students

Authors: Antonio Bruno, Giuseppe Scimeca, Lucia Cava, Gianluca Pandolfo, Rocco A. Zoccali, Maria R.A. Muscatello

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) in a sample of Italian high school students accounting for age, gender, place of residence, and kind of internet activity. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was administered to a sample of 1,035 high schools students (ages ranging from 13 to 22 years; 47.92 % girls) from three southern Italian cities. The prevalence of pathological Internet use in our high school students sample was 3.9 %, with males showing a higher likelihood of developing pathological Internet use. The most recurring Internet activities for excessive users were online games and online communication. No effect of age, place of residence, and region of residence was found. The results of this study reaffirm the importance of active involvement by experts dealing with addiction to implement programs for primary and secondary intervention among high school students.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of Internet Addiction in a Sample of Southern Italian High School Students
Authors
Antonio Bruno
Giuseppe Scimeca
Lucia Cava
Gianluca Pandolfo
Rocco A. Zoccali
Maria R.A. Muscatello
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9497-y

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