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Aims: This paper examines the addictive potential of 8 different Internet applications, distinguishing male and female users. Moreover, differential correlates of problematic use are investigated in Internet gamers (IG) and generalized Internet users (GIU).Method: In a representative sample of 5,667 adolescents aged 12-19 years, use of Internet applications, problematic Internet use, psychopathologic symptoms (emotional problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and psychosomatic complaints), personality (conscientiousness and extraversion), psychosocial correlates (perceived stress and self-efficacy), and coping strategies were assessed. The addictive potential of Internet applications was examined in boys and girls using regression analysis. MANOVAs were conducted to examine differential correlates of problematic Internet use between IG and GIU.Results: Chatting and social networking most strongly predicted problematic Internet use in girls, while gaming was the strongest predictor in boys. Problematic IG exhibited multiple psychosocial problems compared to non-problematic IG. In problematic Internet users, GIU reported even higher psychosocial burden and displayed dysfunctional coping strategies more frequently than gamers.Conclusion: The results extend previous findings on the addictive potential of Internet applications and validate the proposed distinction between specific and generalized problematic Internet use. In addition to Internet gaming disorder, future studies should also focus on other highly addictive Internet applications, that is, chatting or social networking, regarding differential correlates of problematic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Internet-based interventions are a viable treatment option for various mental problems. However, their effects on the burnout syndrome yielded mixed results. In this paper, we examine the efficacy of a structured and therapist-guided internet intervention, based on solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral therapy, for individuals with symptoms of burnout.Design: Two-arm, Internet-based, randomized, wait-list controlled trial (RCT).Methods: Participants were recruited through in-house events and online advertising. They were randomly assigned to the intervention or a wait-list. Group comparison was conducted three months after randomization. Outcomes were the burnout level according to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS) and the levels of depression, anxiety and stress according to the DASS-21.Results: Thirty-nine participants were included in the trial; 36 (92.3%) took part at the 3-months-follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed significant group differences in favor of the intervention group in depression (d = 0.66), cynicism (d = 0.87) and personal accomplishment (d = 0.75).Conclusions: The intervention helped ameliorate symptoms of work-related stress and burnout. Although limited by a small sample size, the study suggests that the program provides effective support for affected individuals. However, further studies with bigger sample sizes should be conducted to examine the effects of such programs more precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the paper of Haux et al. in this issue of this journal. It gives some background on specifics of the German health care system, which underlie the theses and prognoses proposed by Haux et al. In analogy to a forecast of the future of health informatics, which is now 10 years old, I then suggest that these attempts meet two types of challenges:•that of overestimating the positive effects of recent advances, which later are found not to scale up; and•that of blind spots with respect to unforeseen significant advances.The attempt to find indications of such in the projections of Haux et al. leads, among other, to the conclusion that the projections of direct linkages between patients and care providers may be overoptimistic. As to wheather the deviating opinions matter in the end, it is concluded that the technology advances may require less attention that the restructuring of the health care system required to take advantage of the advances of technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]