This study aimed to investigate the reasons that players play the online game of Happy Farm(HF) on facebook, and to investigate the relationship among disinhibition, conformity and Internet addiction of HF¡¦s players. Data was collected from a sample of 298 players who played on HF. Instruments include three types of measures, HF Disinhibition Scale, HF Conformity Scale and HF Internet Addiction Scale. Data analysis methods included Descriptive statistics, Independent-Samples T Test, One-way ANOVA, MANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The findings from the study were summarized as follows: (a)There were more female players are more than male players on HF. (b)The main reason for the players to play HF is to kill time. (c) Players of HF did not show a tendency of disinhibition, conformity and Internet addiction .(d)There was a significantly positive correlation between disinhibition and Internet addiction on HF. (e) There was a significantly positive correlation between conformity and Internet addiction on HF. (f) Self-disclosure and compliance were the most significant predictor to predict Internet addiction on HF.

A Study of Internet Addiction and Self-Concept on Elementary School Students Abstract The purposes of this study are to understand the present situation of elementary school students' Internet behavior, Internet addiction and self-concept, and to analyze the correlations among these three above-mentioned variables. The study is carried out through literature reviews, case surveys and interviews. The subjects are the 5th and 6th grade students at elementary schools in Kaohsiung City. By cluster sampling, the researcher sends out 1112 copies of questionnaire, and receives 1052 valid copies. The collected data are analyzed in the form of descriptive statistics, t-test, one¡Vway ANOVA, and Pearson's product-moment correlation. The top 5% of the Internet addition scores of the samples are interviewed in groups. The major findings of this study are as follows: 1. Family is the major factor that affects elementary school students' Internet behavior and Internet addiction. 2. Virtual interactive Internet activity may easily lead to Internet addiction. 3. In different aspects, elementary school students' self-conception varies in results. 4. Students who spend most of time surfing or e-mailing have better self-concept performance than the others. 5. The more obvious the tendency toward Internet addiction is, the higher mental ego the self-concept shows. 6. The more obvious the tendency toward Internet addiction is, the lower ability-ego and physical ego the self-concept shows. According to these results, some suggestions are presented to educational institutions, educators, counselors and parents. It is expected that understanding the relations between Internet addiction and self-concept of elementary school students, can facilitate to shape appropriate attitude toward Internet, to develop students' self-concept, and to improve students' adaptation to their lives. Keyword: Internet behavior, Internet addiction, self-concept

The fast rise of Internet broadens students¡¦ ways of learning and their views; however, there is possibility that improper Internet use will result in problems of Internet addiction. Reviewing the literature about Internet addiction, we can find that many studies were carried quantitatively by using a questionnaire survey to examine and explain the relationships among related variables and their intensity and then apply regression analysis and characteristic equation to find out the forecast of Internet addiction. These studies truly not only helped the academia understand the factors involved in Internet addiction but also offered reference materials for preventing and improving the problems. Nevertheless, there were some limits in these quantitative studies. For example, it is hard to understand the causal relationship among the factors. Also, one-way linear inference ignored the feedback behaviors from Internet addiction toward related factors and fell into one-way think mode. Internet addiction is indeed a mental problem and involves complicated and obscure factors, which usually could be cause and effect of each other. This study aimed to compensate for the loss of dynamic complexity in all kinds of Internet addiction modes in the literature by reviewing important literature, inducing and generalizing dangerous factors and effects, employing system dynamics to construct the dynamic mode of Internet addiction, and applying the picture of causal feedback and the mode of math to see through the structure of movement behind and the interaction among the factors. This study showed five main findings. First, hiding oneself in the Internet world, which could not reduce pressure, only helped obtain a temporary sense of achievement but resulted in severe outcomes, such as the problem of time management and a vicious circle of interpersonal relationship and schoolwork pressure produced by Internet addiction. Second, ¡§withdrawal symptoms¡¨ and ¡§a sense of achievement obtained on the Internet¡¨ were leading indicators for Internet addiction. Third, limiting the amount of time of surfing on the Internet and slackening withdrawal symptoms were temporary solutions to the problem at a later period. Moreover, there was a certain correlation among the critical points of value of withdrawal symptoms, limiting the amount of time of surfing on the Internet, and improving the timing. Fourth, only facing the problem was the ultimate solution to Internet addiction. Finally, the problem of Internet addiction was actually a transformed version of archetype brought up in the book ¡§The Fifth Discipline.¡¨

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-111).

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008. / Typescript. Supplemental CD-ROM contains the thesis as a Microsoft Word document. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-30).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, March, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-156)

In the past two decades, a considerable amount of research has been carried out on the phenomenon of excessive Internet use, variously termed Internet addiction, Internet dependency and problematic Internet use. Despite this, there is still little agreement as to what constitutes this phenomenon, whether it should be considered a clinical disorder or not and what leads to this excessive or maladaptive use. The terminology used in this study is that of Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Several theoretical models have been proposed in the understanding of PIU including personality models, operant conditioning models, social cognitive and cognitive behavioural models (Davis, 2001; LaRose, lin & Eastin, 2003; Young, 1999). A proposed gap in the literature is the lack of studies exploring participant experiences of problematic Internet use. It is for this reason that this study aimed at exploring the experiences of a small sample of individuals with self-identified problematic Internet use. The implications of this phenomenological data for the above-mentioned theoretical models were then reviewed. This study used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach in exploring these aims. A sample of four participants was selected through purposive sampling techniques. Four major themes emerged from the analysis namely: Escapism, Social Insecurity and Validation, Perfectionism and Control. These experiences of participants were also explored in terms of the conceptual models reviewed in order to compare how closely they related to participant experiences. A strong inter-relationship was found between the four themes mentioned above. The Internet appeared to provide a sense of control and validation to these individuals while simultaneously rendering them unable to maintain control of their Internet usage in relation to this. This sense of control was experienced through an escape from negative emotions, offline obligations and at times a dissatisfactory position in reality. Of the four models reviewed, the Social Cognitive model proposed by LaRose et al. (2003) appeared to offer the most relevant understanding of PIU to participant experiences. The presence of maladaptive cognitions also appeared to feature strongly as an underlying factor in participants' PIU, as theorised by cognitive behavioural models (Davis, 2001; Young, 1999) Finally recommendations are made for further more detailed exploration of PIU using interpretative, experiential methods.

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青少年網絡成癮已成為一個值得關註的問題。以往研究顯示，青少年網絡成癮的比例在4%到14%之間。網絡成癮的主要癥狀包括：過度使用，退縮反應，耐受性和強迫性。網絡成癮對青少年的健康，學業和人際關系都有負面影響。 / 以往對網絡成癮的研究已經發現了一些危險因素。但是以往研究存在兩方面不足。第一，多為簡單迴歸模型，較少中介模型， 較少探討危險因素之間可能的互動關係。第二，危險因素多為個人因素或網絡使用因素， 較少關注個人與環境的互動是如何提高網絡成癮風險。 / 為了彌補以上知識鴻溝，本研究提出了一個新的解釋網絡成癮的理論模型。這個模型中既包括個人因素又包括環境因素。這個理論模型的核心假設是當青少年認為網絡是滿足需要或者處理壓力的唯一途徑時，他們有可能會花費大量時間上網，也因此引發了較高的網絡成癮的風險。本研究進一步假設社交焦慮和缺乏親密朋友是導致青少年在現實生活中無法滿足人際交往需要的原因。本研究還假設壓力和迴避式應對壓力傾向是青少年不能在現實生活中處理壓力而將網絡視作應對壓力唯一途徑的原因。 / 本研究在中國上海進行。本研究是斷代式問卷研究。前測研究測量了量表的信效度，并根據結果對相關量表做進一步修正。正式研究通過非隨機抽樣方式邀請了892位年齡在12到18歲之間的中學生參加。結果顯示，52位（5.83%）參加者可被看作網絡成癮高危人群。高危人群更長時間上網，也具有更高的社交焦慮，更大的壓力和更強的迴避式應對壓力傾向。此外，中介模型的統計分析結果顯示，個人期待網絡使用是滿足需要和處理壓力的唯一途徑這一中介變量，解釋了部分社交焦慮，壓力和退縮型處理壓力傾向與網絡成癮症狀之間的關聯，該結果對本研究所假設的理論模型提供了初步的支持。 / 文末討論了本研究的限制和進一步研究的方向，并根據研究結果提出了對社會工作實務（包括預防及干預青少年網絡成癮）的建議。 / Adolescents have been found to be a vulnerable group for Internet addiction. The reportedly prevalence of "Internet addicts" ranged from 4% to 14%. The major symptoms of Internet addiction are: excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance, and compulsive use. Negative consequences of Internet addiction include physical complaints, worsening performance in work or study, and relationship problems. / Despite a number of risk factors identified, prior studies were limited in two aspects. First, previous studies assumed that risk factors operate in an additive manner with increasing numbers of risk factors leading to an increasing probability of becoming internet addicted. Not enough attention has been paid to relationships among the risk factors. Second, most risk factors were either personal attributes or internet use behaviors. This might lead to the biased assertion that either the person or the internet should be blamed for becoming addicted. / This research tried to extend previous research by proposing and testing a theoretical model which argued that the some adolescents became attached to the internet as it provided an alternative way of needs satisfaction or stress coping; the needs satisfaction or stress coping was not possible in realistic life due to some personal or contextual risk factors. The theoretical model was constructed based on outcome expectancy theory (Bandura, 1977; Jones, Corbin & Fromme, 2001; Oei & Baldwin, 1994), substitute gratification theory (Peele, 1998), and stress coping theory (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984; Abrams & Niaura, 1987) as well as some findings of previous research. / A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shanghai, China. A non-random sample 892 adolescents (aged 12 to 18) from six secondary schools were recruited. 52(5.83%) participants were included in the high-risk group of internet addiction. Risk factors for internet addition were: male, senior secondary school students, social anxiety, stress, avoidance coping style, desirable outcome expectancy of substitute gratification (need to belong), desirable outcome expectancy of stress coping, frequency of online gaming, frequency of idling online and time spent online during weekdays. Moreover, social anxiety, stress, and avoidance coping style had both direct and indirect effects on severity of internet addiction symptoms via the mediators of desirable outcome expectancy of substitute gratification (need to belong) and desirable outcome expectancy of stress coping; the results provided preliminary support to the theoretical model proposed in this study. / Both conceptual and methodological limitations and their implications for further research were discussed. Prevention and intervention programs were proposed according to results of this study. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Gu, Minmin. / "November 2012." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-207). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendixes also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.viii / CHAPTER ONE --- p.1 / THE RESEARCH PROBLEM --- p.1 / BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY --- p.1 / Internet Addiction as an Emerging Problem --- p.1 / Knowledge Gaps in Previous Research on Internet Addiction --- p.3 / Intervention for Internet Addiction --- p.4 / RESEARCH OBJECTIVES --- p.6 / ORGANIZATION OF THE THESIS --- p.7 / CHAPTER TWO --- p.8 / LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.9 / Definition and Measurements of Internet Addiction in Previous Studies --- p.9 / The Evolved Definition of Addiction --- p.15 / Categorical Approach to Diagnosis for Addiction --- p.18 / Dimensional Approach to Diagnosis for Addiction --- p.21 / EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.23 / Risk Factors Identified in Mainland China --- p.23 / Risk Factors Identified in other Eastern Societies and Western Societies --- p.25 / THEORIES OF ADDICTION --- p.34 / The Relationship between Repetitive Internet Use and Internet Addiction --- p.34 / Psychosocial Theories Explaining Repetitive Internet Use --- p.39 / CHAPTER THREE --- p.55 / CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK --- p.55 / THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK --- p.55 / RESEARCH HYPOTHESES --- p.63 / CHAPTER FOUR --- p.68 / RESEARCH METHOD --- p.68 / RESEARCH SITE --- p.68 / Social and Economical Condition of Shanghai --- p.69 / Schooling and Extra-curricular Activities in Shanghai --- p.70 / Internet Use and Internet Addiction among Adolescents in Shanghai --- p.71 / RESEARCH DESIGN --- p.72 / PILOT STUDY --- p.72 / Samples --- p.72 / Data Collection --- p.73 / Data Analysis --- p.81 / MAIN STUDY --- p.82 / Samples --- p.82 / Data Collection --- p.86 / Data Analysis --- p.86 / ETHIC CONSIDERATIONS --- p.89 / CHAPTER FIVE --- p.90 / PILOT STUDY --- p.90 / CHINESE INTERNET ADDICTION SCALE (CIAS) --- p.92 / SELF-DEVELOPED MEASURE OF DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY --- p.102 / SOCIAL ANXIETY SCALE FOR ADOLESCENTS (SAS-A) --- p.104 / FRIENDSHIP INTIMACY (ADAPTED FROM THE NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIP INVENTORY) --- p.107 / SELF-DEVELOPED MEASURE OF STRESS FOR ADOLESCENTS --- p.108 / AVOIDANCE COPING STYLE (ADAPTED FROM COPE INVENTORY) --- p.112 / CHAPTER SIX --- p.115 / MAIN STUDY --- p.115 / PSYCHOMETRIC ANALYSES --- p.115 / DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS --- p.119 / Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms --- p.119 / Time Spent Online during Holidays, Weekends, and Weekdays --- p.120 / Zero Hour User in the Three Time Phases --- p.121 / Time Spent on Various Online Activities --- p.123 / Risk Factors --- p.124 / COMPARISON OF HIGH-RISK GROUP AND NON-HIGH-RISK GROUP --- p.126 / High-Risk Group --- p.126 / Group Differences in Time Spent Online during Holidays, Weekends and Weekdays --- p.126 / Group Differences in Time Spent on Various Online Activities --- p.127 / Group Differences in Risk Factors --- p.129 / PREDICTORS FOR SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.132 / Correlation of Dependent and Independent Variables --- p.132 / Hierarchical Regression Predicting Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms via Demographic Variables, Personal or Environmental Inadequacies, Desirable Outcome Expectancy, Preference for Online Activities and Time Spent Online --- p.136 / Mediation Effects of Desirable Outcome Expectancies --- p.140 / CHAPTER SEVEN --- p.155 / DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS --- p.155 / ZERO-HOUR USER IN THREE DIFFERENT TIME PHASES --- p.155 / HIGH RISK GROUP OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.156 / GENDER DIFFERENCE IN RATE OF INTERNET ADDICTION AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.158 / GRADE DIFFERENCE IN SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.159 / PREFERENCE FOR ONLINE ACTIVITIES AND HIGH-RISK GROUP OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.160 / DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) --- p.162 / SOCIAL ANXIETY, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.162 / FRIENDSHIP INTIMACY, SOCIAL ANXIETY, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.165 / STRESS, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF STRESS COPING AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.167 / AVOIDANCE COPING STYLE, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF STRESS COPING AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.168 / CHAPTER EIGHT --- p.170 / LIMITATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.170 / SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS --- p.170 / LIMITATIONS OF THE THEORETICAL MODEL AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH --- p.173 / Unexplored Other Types of Desirable Outcome Expectancies --- p.173 / Unexplored Other Psychosocial Risk Factors --- p.174 / Reciprocal Relationship between Risk Factors and Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms --- p.174 / A New Population of Interest: College Students --- p.175 / METHODLOGICAL LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH --- p.176 / The Limitations of Cross-sectional Design and Recommendation for Longitudinal Research --- p.176 / The Limitations of Non-random Sampling and Recommendations for Random Sampling --- p.177 / The limitations of Self-report Data and Recommendations for Data Collection from Multiple Sources --- p.177 / The Limitations of Quantitative Research and Recommendations for Qualitative Research --- p.178 / THEORTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS --- p.179 / Replicating and Extending Previous Empirical Research on Internet Addiction --- p.180 / Applying Outcome Expectancy Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.180 / Applying of Stress Coping Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.181 / Applying Substitute Gratification Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.182 / PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS --- p.183 / Intervention Programs --- p.183 / Prevention Programs --- p.189 / References --- p.191 / Chapter Appendix I --- Questionnaire for Pilot Study --- p.208 / Chapter Appendix II --- Questionnaire for Pilot Study --- p.228

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education