Factor structure of the Internet Addiction Scale and its associations with psychiatric symptoms for Korean adolescents.

Abstract

In this paper, we explore underlying factors of Internet Addiction Scale (IAS)

and examine how the dimensions of the IAS relate to psychiatric symptoms in

Korean adolescents. Exploratory factor analysis with a sample of N = 1,722

consisted of 13-15 year old Korean adolescents identified three distinctive

factors of IAS and they were labeled 'time management', 'withdrawal behaviors'

and 'neglect work'. Then, multiple regression models were applied to assess the

association between each factor and eight psychological problems, which were

evaluated by Youth Self Report. The overall IAS was significantly associated with

Somatic, Immature, Thought, Attention, Delinquent and Aggressive behaviors.

However, three factor scores showed different association patterns and indicated

multidimensional aspects of problematic Internet use.