Armstrong et al. (2000) investigated the extent to which sensation seeking and
low self-esteem predicted heavier Internet use, using the Internet Related Problem
Scale (IRPS). The IRPS is a 20-item scale, covering factors such as tolerance,
craving, and negative impacts of Internet use. Results indicated that self-esteem
is a better predictor of “Internet Addiction” compared to impulsivity. Individuals
with low self-esteem seem to spend more time online, and had higher scores on
the IRPS. Although this study yielded some interesting results, it should be interpreted
with caution due to the small number of participants (n = 50). Moreover,
Armstrong et al. maintained that the 20 items indicated nine different symptoms
without any statistical evidence. It would be interesting to investigate whether the
items really did measure the symptoms they claimed to. Other studies have looked
at the relationship between Internet addiction and self-esteem and found similar
fi ndings (e.g., Widyanto & McMurran, 2004), but again the very low sample sizes
make it hard to generalize fi ndings.