Attached to the web - harmful use of the Internet and its correlates

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to test the validity of the Finnish version of the Internet Addiction Test and the correlates of harmful use of the Internet. Methods: One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five students (45.5% men and 54.5% women, mean age 24.7 years, S.D. = 5.7) filled in a web-based questionnaire including TAT, reasons for use of the Internet, distress, social support, and substance use. Results: Men had a statistically significantly higher mean score on the TAT than women. Subjects with self-reported use of cannabis had higher mean score on the IAT compared to non-users (39.5 [11.3] vs 35.8 [10.8]). The total IAT score was associated with "adult entertainment" (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.06-1.08, P < 0.001), "playing games" (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.04-1.06, P < 0.001), "chatting" (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.06-1.08, P < 0.001) and "discussion" (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.07-1.09, P < 0.001) as reasons for Internet use. The IAT score had a significant negative correlation with social support (r = -0.24, P < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation with the CAGE score (r = 0.18, P < 0.001). Using factor analysis, we found a single factor solution with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. Conclusions: The IAT seems to provide a valid measurement of harmful use of the Internet, as the score was significantly associated with variables tapping psychopathology. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.