網路成癮與憂鬱的相關性

The Association between Internet Addiction and Depression

網絡成癮是一種新興的疾患，卻對心理社會層面有著巨大的影響，而憂鬱性疾患是最常被提到的共病之一。了解網路成癮跟憂鬱性疾患的共病性，可以讓人更了解網路成癮形成的機制，這篇綜說主要在回顧文獻上有關網路成癮與憂鬱之間相關性的描述：包括探討橫斷面研究顯示著網路成癮和憂鬱之間明確的相關性、前瞻性的研究則顯示著這兩個疾患有著雙向性的因果關係、共變數分析顯示著兩者間錯綜複雜的關係性等文獻。最後我們提出四種可能的模式，包括逃避模式 (escape model)、負面後果模式 (negative consequences model)、雙向模式 (bi-direction model) 和共享機制模式 (shared mechanisms model)，希望利用這些模式來說明網路成癮跟憂鬱的關聯性。這篇綜說也為網絡成癮未來研究和目前的治療，提供了相關建議。

Internet addiction is a newly emerged disorder having great globalized psychosocial impact. Depressive disorder is one of the most reported comorbidities. To understand the comorbidity of Internet addiction and depressive disorder can shed light on the mechanism of Internet addiction. In this overview, we review the association between Internet addiction and depression. The cross-section study has shown a solid association between Internet addiction and depression. The prospective study has also demonstrated both temporal directions of a causal relationship between the two disorders. Covariance analysis has demonstrated a complex interaction between the two disorders. Here, we propose four candidate models – the escape, the negative consequences, the bi-direction, and the shared mechanisms model – as working candidate models in our temporary attempt to explain the association between those two disorders. While awaiting the validation for those models, we also suggest future directions for studies, and for treating subjects with Internet addiction.