中華心理衛生協會

Purpose: This study examined gender differences in Internet addiction among students in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 111 studies (N=97,579) were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Based on the random-effects model, male students were slightly more likely than females to display overall Internet addiction, compulsive symptoms, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance symptoms, time management problems, and interpersonal and health problems. We examined the moderating effects of publication type, participant age, publication year, availability of a home computer, primary location of Internet use, experience of Internet use, and weekly Internet use time. Participant age was significantly related to the gender differences in overall Internet addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Publication year had positive significant effects on gender differences in withdrawal symptoms. Primary location of Internet use was related to gender differences in overall Internet addiction, compulsive symptoms, and tolerance symptoms. The moderating effect of experience with Internet use on the gender difference in time management problems was also supported. Conclusions: Implications for prevention and intervention were identified and suggestions were made for future research.