The Association Of Internet Addiction Symptoms With Reinforcement Sensitivity And Self-control Among College Students

As the rapid expanding of internet technology, adolescents can use the network skillfully at an early age. Although the Internet brings positive effect to human beings, it also leads to impairment in psychological function, academic performance interpersonal relationship and so on. The incidence rates of Internet addiction were 1.0% to 18.3% among adolescents. The prevalence indicates that Internet addiction is a common and problematic disorder over the world. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to the factors that predict Internet addiction.The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) was proposed to explain addictive behaviors. The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) are sensitive to reward and punishment, respectively. Previous studies have found relationship between BAS/BIS and Internet addiction. Gray. and McNaughton revised the theory and proposed three major systems. Based on our research, however, there’s few study pay attention to the revised RST. Previous studies found that self-control can predict Internet addiction, and the BAS/BIS are associated with self-control. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the association between Internet addiction, reinforcement sensitivity and self-control among college students.A total of 461 college students took part in this study. Participants were assessed with the Reuter and Montag’s RST-Q, the revised Chen Internet Addiction scale, and the revised Self-control scale. A total of 383 students were tested again after 5 months. The main findings were as follows:(1)The incidence rates of Internet addiction were 16.4% to 21.7% among college students. The 5-month incidence and remission rates for Internet addiction were 5.9% and 41.6%, respectively.(2)There were significant gender differences on the scores of Internet addition, males are more likely to be addicted than females. The results show no significant difference on grade. However, the students show more interest on his major have significant lower scores on the CIAS-R.(3) The score of Internet addiction was significantly associated with the rBIS, FFFS and self-control, but was not related to the rBAS. The rBIS, FFFS was correlated with self-control at the first and second assessment.(4) Self-control mediated the relationship between rBIS and Internet addiction, and also mediated the relationship between FFFS and Internet addiction.