Internet addiction among Norwegian adults: A stratified probability sample study

Most Norwegians are Internet users. We conducted a stratified probability sample study (Norway, 2007, age‐group 16–74 years, N= 3,399, response rate 35.3%, 87.1% Internet users) to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction and at‐risk Internet use by the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ). The p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of psychology 2009-04, Vol.50 (2), p.121-127
Main Authors: BAKKEN, INGER JOHANNE, WENZEL, HANNE GRO, GÖTESTAM, K. GUNNAR, JOHANSSON, AGNETA, ØREN, ANITA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Behavior, Addictive - epidemiology
Comorbidity
epidemiology
Female
Humans
Internet - utilization
Internet addiction
Male
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Middle Aged
Norway - epidemiology
Personality
Prevalence
Probability
Risk Factors
Self Disclosure
Sex Distribution
Social Sciences - methods
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Most Norwegians are Internet users. We conducted a stratified probability sample study (Norway, 2007, age‐group 16–74 years, N= 3,399, response rate 35.3%, 87.1% Internet users) to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction and at‐risk Internet use by the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ). The prevalence of Internet addiction (YDQ score 5–8) was 1.0% and an additional 5.2% were at‐risk Internet users (YDQ score 3–4). Internet addiction and at‐risk Internet use was strongly dependent on gender and age with highest prevalences among young males (16–29 years 4.1% and 19.0%, 30–39 years 3.3% and 10.7%). Logistic regression showed that male gender, young age, university level education, and an unsatisfactory financial situation were factors positively associated with “problematic Internet use” (at‐risk and addicted use combined). Time spent on the Internet and prevalence of self‐reported sleeping disorders, depression, and other psychological impairments increased linearly with YDQ score. Problematic Internet use clearly affects the lives of many people.
ISSN:0036-5564
1467-9450
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00685.x