Personality Antecedents and Consequences of Internet Addiction Vis-à-vis Internet Habit: a Theory and an Empirical Investigation

Researchers in information systems have studied how nonintentional elements of our psychology such as personality, addiction, and even sheer habit, can waylay us from our original purpose of using information technology. This study seeks to reintegrate these elements to present a holistic framework comparing Internet addiction with Internet habit in terms of their antecedent personality factors and their consequences. We tested the framework against data from a time-lagged survey of Internet users. As hypothesized, sensation seeking, neuroticism, and dysfunctional impulsivity influenced Internet addiction. In comparison, only neuroticism and dysfunctional impulsivity were significant in Internet habit. Furthermore, Internet addiction influences relative usage and negative outcomes, and habit further increases its influence on negative outcomes. Our findings contribute to the body of knowledge by showing the personality antecedents and behavioral consequences of Internet addiction, and by highlighting the similarity, difference, and interaction between Internet habit and Internet addiction.