Characteristics of users of online self-help program for people with addictive behavior on the Internet: symptoms, motivation, negative consequences and benefits of its restriction
Abstract
Background: In 2011 an online self-help program for people with Internet addiction was launched. Objectives: to identify the most used online applications, symptoms of Internet addiction according to six basic dimensions, motivation to Internet addiction, the negative consequences of such behaviour, and the benefits resulting from its reduction.
Method: CIAS, qualitative analysis of data obtained from the self-help program. Participants: 273 people registered with the self-help program for people showing Internet addiction behaviour.
Results: The most popular online applications with addictive potential were online social communication applications. As regards the salience symptom, thoughts about current online events, spending too much time online, and craving were the most common categories.
As for the dimension of mood changes, the respondents were most likely to refer to the ease/relaxation and the excitement/pleasure categories. Tolerance is manifested by the excessive amount of time spent online, constant connection to the Internet, and setting up new accounts and profiles.
As regards withdrawal symptoms, the most frequently identified categories were restlessness/agitation and anger/irritability. Concerning interpersonal conflicts, the categories of conflicts with loved ones, limitation of social contacts, and lying were identified, while intrapersonal conflicts were manifested in the general conflict of being online vs. not being online and in specific conflicts such as work/study vs. being online or obligation vs. being online.
The reported time span of their relapses ranged from the previous few days to several months. The most common motives for Internet addiction were limited social skills and excessive stress.