Inventory of problematic Internet experiences encountered in clinical practice.

Authors

Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Kathryn Becker-Blease, Washington State University
David Finkelhor, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow

Abstract

Abstract

People are bringing a variety of Internet-related problems into consultation with mental health professionals. This exploratory study used a systematic sample of mental health professionals and obtained both structured and open-ended information from 1,504 practitioners who reported having at least 1 client with an Internet-related problem. This article proposes an inventory of 11 types of problematic Internet experiences reported by youth and adult clients: (a) overuse; (b) pornography; (c) infidelity; (d) sexual exploitation and abuse; (e) gaming, gambling, and role-playing; (f) harassment; (g) isolative-avoidant use; (h) fraud, stealing, and deception; (i) failed online relationships; (j) harmful influence websites; and (k) risky or inappropriate use, not otherwise specified. The authors discuss the spectrum of cases within each category and implications for clinical practice.

Department

Psychology

Publication Date

9-2005

Journal Title

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1037/0735-7028.36.5.498

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Mitchell, K.J., Becker-Blease, K.A., Finkelhor, D. Inventory of problematic Internet experiences encountered in clinical practice. (2005) Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36 (5), pp. 498-509.

Rights

Copyright 2005 by the American Psychological Association.