Problem Internet use and locus of control among college students

Problem Internet use and locus of control among college students:
Preliminary findings

Brian Rotsztein, M.A.
Lynch School of Education
Boston College
Poster presented at
The 35th Annual Conference of the New England Educational Research Organization
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, April 10, 2003

Abstract
Rapid growth and easy access to the Internet have facilitated its influence on the American way of life. Aside from the numerous benefits of this now ubiquitous technological tool, the problem of over use and the resulting
‘Internet Addiction’ is becoming increasingly apparent. College students represent a particularly vulnerable group for problem Internet use. The present study investigated the relationship between problem Internet use and locus of control among 706 undergraduate college students who completed questionnaires. Results indicated that a large proportion of students reported feelings of dissociation and symptoms of tolerance, withdrawal and escape. Moreover, frequent interpersonal and academic conflicts, and physical health-threatening risks related to problem Internet use were found. While men reported more Internet-related problems overall, women were more likely to attempt to cut back or stop their Internet use. A significant positive correlation between external locus of control and problem Internet use was found. Finally, men were seven times more likely
to gamble online.

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