Cited by 751Impact of Technology on AdolescentsCyberloafing and Workplace BehaviorSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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Validation of a New Scale for Measuring Problematic Internet Use: Implications for Pre-employment Screening

Davis, Richard A., Flett, Gordon L., Besser, Avi·2002·CyberPsychology & Behavior

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Abstract

The current study introduced a theory-driven, multidimensional measure of problematic Internet use: the Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Undergraduate students (n = 211) in an industrial/organizational psychology course completed the OCS, along with measures of procrastination, rejection sensitivity, loneliness, depression, and impulsivity. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated that problematic Internet use consists of four dimensions: diminished impulse control, loneliness/depression, social comfort, and distraction. As hypothesized, the OCS predicted all of the study variables in the expected directions. Representing a departure from previous research in this area, the current article focused on procrastination, impulsivity, and social rejection as key elements of problematic Internet use. Furthermore, interactive applications (e.g., chat) were most related to problematic Internet use, and scores on the OCS predicted being reprimanded at school or work for inappropriate Internet use. As a result, the utility of the OCS for both clinical assessment of Internet addiction and as an organizational preemployment screening measure to identify potential employees who are likely to abuse the Internet in the workplace (also known as "cyberslacking") were discussed.

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BackgroundResult
Untitled work
(2008) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems · Cited by 36

Authors: Davis, R. A., Flett, G. L., & Besser, A.
Affiliations: York University (CA)
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada.
ORCID: Davis, Richard A.
Flett, Gordon L.
Venue: CyberPsychology & Behavior
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2002-08
Volume: 5
Issue: 4
Pages: 331-345
ISSN: 1094-9313 (ISSN-L)
1557-8364
DOI: 10.1089/109493102760275581
OpenAlex: W2086020439
Cited by: 750
References: 56
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 50
FWCI: 18.15
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations: CyberPsychology & Behavior (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Cyberloafing and Workplace Behavior
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords: problematic internet use, internet addiction, pre-employment screening, cyberloafing, procrastination, impulsivity, rejection sensitivity, loneliness, depression, distraction, online chat, scale validation, workplace internet use
MeSH terms: Adult, Cognition, Decision Making, Organizational, Employment, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Personnel Selection, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reproducibility of Results, Behavior, Addictive, Internet

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Validation of a New Scale for Measuring Problematic Internet Use: Implications for Pre-employment Screening

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