Depression and The Internet

Maybe THIS is why I've been feeling a bit down lately?

Hey folks,

Here is something I guess we should all take into consideration. In the Health and Science segment this week, Let's look at the link between Depression and the Internet. According to The Guardian - Excessive Internet use linked to depression, research shows by Adam Gabbatt

British psychologists have found evidence of a link between excessive internet use and depression, research published today has shown.

Leeds University researchers, writing in the Psychopathology journal (abstract here – subscription required for full pdf), said a small proportion of internet users were classed as internet addicts and that people in this group were more likely to be depressed than non-addicted users.

The article on the relationship between excessive internet use and depression, a questionnaire-based study of 1,319 young people and adults, used data compiled from respondents to links placed on UK-based social networking sites.

The respondents answered questions about how much time they spent on the internet and what they used it for; they also completed the Beck Depression Inventory – a series of questions designed to measure the severity of depression.

I'm on A LOT!

The report, by the university's Institute of Psychological Sciences, said 18 of the people who completed the questionnaire – 1.4% of the total – were internet addicts.

"Our research indicates that excessive internet use is associated with depression, but what we don't know is which comes first – are depressed people drawn to the internet or does the internet cause depression?" the article's lead author, Dr Catriona Morrison, said.

"What is clear is that, for a small subset of people, excessive use of the internet could be a warning signal for depressive tendencies."

Well, what IS excessive use of the Internet?

The age range of all respondents was between 16 and 51 years, with a mean age of 21.24. The mean age of the 18 internet addicts, 13 of whom were male and five female, was 18.3 years.

By comparing the scale of depression within this group to that within a group of 18 non-addicted internet users – again of a mean age of 18.3 years and made up of 13 males and five females – researchers found the internet addicts had a higher incidence of moderate to severe depression than non-addicts.

They also discovered that addicts spent proportionately more time browsing sexually gratifying websites, online gaming sites and online communities.

Well, THAT could explain some of this as well. But I still want to know what they consider excessive use of the Internet.

"This study reinforces the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction," Morrison said.

Makes sense.

"We now need to consider the wider societal implications of this relationship and establish clearly the effects of excessive internet use on mental health."

The six-page report is the first larger-scale study of young western people to consider the relationship between internet addiction and depression.

Much of the previous research into the subject has been carried out in east Asia.

But we STILL do not know what "excessive use of the Internet" MEANS. How many hours a day is excessive? {Sigh} What about all those studies that say that the Internet is actually GOOD for those that are overly shy? They can communicate with many others from the safety of their home. It can be a good thing. No?

Well, I look at it this way. Anything in excess, is most likely detrimental to you. If you are find ANYTHING you do to be effecting you in a negative way, cut down or stop it. Makes sense. Does it not?
Peter

Sources:
The Guardian - Excessive internet use linked to depression, research shows