People who spend a lot of time surfing the Internet are more likely to show signs of depression, British scientists said on Wednesday.
But it is not clear whether the Internet causes depression or whether depressed people are【C1】 1to it. Psychologists from Leeds University found what they said was "striking" evidence that some net users develop【C2】 2Internet habits in which they replace real life social interaction with online chat rooms and social networking sites. "This study【C3】 3the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction," the study's lead author, Catriona Morrison, wrote in the journal Psychopathology. "This type of addictive surfing can【C4】 4impact the mental health." In the first large-scale study of Western young people to look at this【C5】 5, the researchers analyzed Internet use and depression levels of 1,319 Britons aged between 16 and 51. Of these, 1.2 percent were "Internet addicted", they concluded. These "Internet addicts" spent【C6】 6more time browsing sexually pleasing websites, online gaming sites and online【C7】 7, Morrison said. They also had a higher incidence of moderate to【C8】 8depression than normal users.
"Excessive Internet use is【C9】 9with depression, but what we don't know is which comes first— are depressed people drawn to the Internet or does the Internet cause depression?" Morrison said. "What is clear is that for a small set of people, excessive use of the Internet could be a warning【C10】 10for depressive tendencies. "
A)associated B)gravely C)quantitatively D)reinforces
E)signal F)dividends G)drawn H)issue
I)evaluates J)communities K)severe L)sunk
M)proportionately N)reckless O)compulsive 【C1】