Addiction and Problematic Internet Use among Girls and Young Women: Prevalence, Main Features and Measures (A Review of Russian Studies)

Introduction. The article provides data on the prevalence of internet-addicted behavior. Aims. The purpose of the article is to analyze studies devoted to addiction and problematic use of the Internet among girls and young women in the Russian Federation. Methods. The review is based on national researches and international monitoring projects, which include analysis of the situation in Russia. Results. The key gender features of Internet addiction, specific to girls and young women, mentioned in the article are: vulnerability to the formation of Internet addictive behavior in the presence of emotional distress signs (alexithymia, fear of negative evaluation, social anxiety); more pronounced manifestations of addictive behavior, including compulsive symptoms, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance, as well as mood changes, irritability, anxiety, depression and anxiety. The measures for the internet- addiction that have good predictive validity are presented (the CIAS (Chen Internet Addiction Scale), validated on a sample of young Russian adults in 2021; the GPIUS2 (Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2), validated among adolescents and youth in 2018).

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