Low empathy is associated with problematic use of the Internet: Empirical evidence from China and Germany

Martin Melchers; Mei Li; Yafei Chen; Wanqi Zhang; Christian Montag

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2015.06.019

Low empathy is associated with problematic use of the Internet: Empirical evidence from China and Germany

Asian J Psychiatr. 2015 Oct:17:56-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2015.06.019. Epub 2015 Jul 6.

Authors

Martin Melchers¹, Mei Li², Yafei Chen², Wanqi Zhang², Christian Montag³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
² Student Counseling Center, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, China.
³ Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: christian.montag@uni-ulm.de.

PMID: 26233696
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2015.06.019

Abstract

As empathy has not been investigated in the context of problematic use of the Internet, we conducted a study to test for a potential link. In samples from China (N=438) and Germany (N=202), two self-report measures for empathic behavior and one self-report measure for problematic Internet use (PIU) were administered in adolescents/students. Across both cultures lower empathy was associated with more PIU. The present study underlines the importance to take into account empathy related questionnaires for a better understanding of Internet overuse in the future.

Keywords: China; Empathy; Germany; Internet addiction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior*
Behavior, Addictive / diagnosis
Behavior, Addictive / psychology
Behavioral Research
China
Empathy*
Empirical Research
Female
Germany
Humans
Internet*
Male
Students / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires