The Internet Process Addiction Test: Screening for Addictions to Processes Facilitated by the Internet

Abstract

The Internet Process Addiction Test (IPAT) was created to screen for potential addictive behaviors that could be facilitated by the internet. The IPAT was created with the mindset that the term “Internet addiction” is structurally problematic, as the Internet is simply the medium that one uses to access various addictive processes. The role of the internet in facilitating addictions, however, cannot be minimized. A new screening tool that effectively directed researchers and clinicians to the specific processes facilitated by the internet would therefore be useful. This study shows that the Internet Process Addiction Test (IPAT) demonstrates good validity and reliability. Four addictive processes were effectively screened for with the IPAT: Online video game playing, online social networking, online sexual activity, and web surfing. Implications for further research and limitations of the study are discussed.

Family Features of Social Withdrawal Syndrome (Hikikomori)

“…Subjects were also evaluated using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) (31,32), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (33,34) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment (WHO/DAS) (35) to measure functioning, the Zarit Burden Interview (36) to assess caregiver burden, and the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) (37) to evaluate insight. Internet addiction was clinically evaluated using the diagnosis criteria more widely accepted (38,39): (1) excessive Internet use (compulsive striving for Internet usage, growing importance of Internet in the system of personal values, (2) withdrawal symptoms (mood swings like anger, depression, and anxiety when Internet is unavailable), (3) tolerance (need for increased use of the Internet to relieve negative emotional symptoms), (4) negative consequences due to Internet use (excessive engagement in Internet use, loss of previous hobbies and entertainments, loss of social relations, educational and sport opportunities, quarrels and lies). Social network was evaluated according to criteria developed by our team based on clinical experience as follows: (1) null relationship, (2) relationship with family with whom we live, (3) relationship with a friend outside the home, and (4) normalized social relation.…”

Problematic Internet Use in Children and Adolescents: Associations with psychiatric disorders and impairment

“…The questionnaire does not specify what activities "internet use" and "being online" refer to, leaving interpretation to the respondent; it also has no mention of social media or smartphone usage, reflecting the timing of its creation. The Internet Process Addiction Test (IPAT) [88] has been developed to address these issues, though is notably longer and yet to be heavily adopted in the literature. Third, while parent-…”

Problematic Internet Use in Children and Adolescents: Associations with psychiatric disorders and impairment

“…The questionnaire does not specify what activities "internet use" and "being online" refer to, leaving interpretation to the respondent; it also has no mention of social media or smartphone usage, reflecting the timing of its creation. The Internet Process Addiction Test (IPAT) 88 has been developed to address these issues, though is notably longer and yet to be heavily adopted in the literature. Third, while parent-reported PIU was available for children of The present study highlights the importance of exploring PIU in younger samples due to the myriad of negative behaviors associated with this construct.…”