TY - JOUR
T1 - Brief Report: Examining the Link Between Autistic Traits and Compulsive Internet Use in a Non-Clinical Sample
AU - Finkenauer, C.
AU - Pollmann, M.M.H.
AU - Begeer, S.M.
AU - Kerkhof, P.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Individuals with autism spectrum disorders or autistic traits may profit from Internet and computer-mediated interactions, but there is concern about their Internet use becoming compulsive. This study investigated the link between autistic traits and Internet use in a 2-wave longitudinal study with a non-clinical community sample (n = 390). As compared to people with less autistic traits, people with more autistic traits did not report a higher frequency of Internet use, but they were more prone to compulsive Internet use. For women, more autistic traits predicted an increase in compulsive Internet use over time. These results suggest that, despite its appeal for people with autistic traits, the Internet carries the risk of compulsive use. © The Author(s) 2012.
AB - Individuals with autism spectrum disorders or autistic traits may profit from Internet and computer-mediated interactions, but there is concern about their Internet use becoming compulsive. This study investigated the link between autistic traits and Internet use in a 2-wave longitudinal study with a non-clinical community sample (n = 390). As compared to people with less autistic traits, people with more autistic traits did not report a higher frequency of Internet use, but they were more prone to compulsive Internet use. For women, more autistic traits predicted an increase in compulsive Internet use over time. These results suggest that, despite its appeal for people with autistic traits, the Internet carries the risk of compulsive use. © The Author(s) 2012.
U2 - 10.1007/s10803-012-1465-4
DO - 10.1007/s10803-012-1465-4
M3 - Article
SN - 0162-3257
VL - 42
SP - 2252
EP - 2256
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
IS - 10
ER -