Which Components Explain the Change of Symptom Severity of Problematic Usage of the Internet? A 6-Month Follow-Up Investigation

作者：Andreas Oelker, Astrid Müller, Sabine Steins‐Loeber, Matthias Brand, Silke M. Müller · 发表于：International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1007/s11469-026-01653-z · 研究领域：Impact of Technology on Adolescents、Digital Mental Health Interventions、Mental Health via Writing

Abstract Assumed components explaining the change of symptom severity in problematic usage of the internet are general predisposing factors including psychopathology (e.g., compulsivity, depression, anxiety, chronic stress) and behavior-specific factors (e.g., use expectancies, experience of gratification/compensation, usage time, habitual use). We screened for symptom severity based on ICD-11 and DSM-5 criteria and assessed all mentioned factors at baseline and in a 6-month follow-up ( N = 574). Change scores of the predictors and whether participants received therapy explained about 20% of variance in symptom change scores; R 2 = .199 for ICD-11 and R 2 = .216 for DSM-5 criteria. Strongest predictors of symptom change were as follows: received therapy, avoidant use expectancies, time of use, habitual use, depression, compulsivity, and chronic stress. Results indicate that a decrease of symptom severity is related to decreased levels of variables associated with negative reinforcement mechanisms. Treatment, even if not addiction-specific, proved to be beneficial. The influence of external factors warrants further research.