British psychologists have found evidence of a link between excessive （過度的） Internet use and depression, a research has shown．
Leeds University researchers, writing in the Psycho pathology journal, said a small part of Internet users were classed as Internet addicts and that people in this group were more likely to be depressed than non-addicted users．
The article on the relationship between excessive Internet use and depression is from a questionnaire-based study of 1，319 young people and adults．
The respondents answered questions about how much time they spent en the Internet and what they used it for; they also completed the Beck Depression Inventory—a series of questions designed to measure the seriousness of depression．
The six-page report, by the university's Institute of Psychological Sciences, said 18 of the people who completed the questionnaire were Internet addicts．
"Our research indicates that excessive Internet use is associated with depression, but hat we don't know is which comes first—adepressed! people drawn to the Internet or does he Internet cause depression?^ the article's lead author Dr Catriona Morrison said．"What is leadis that, for s small part of peoples, excessive use of the Internet could be a warning signal or depressive tendencies．"
The age range of all respondent? was between 16 and 51 years, with an average age of 1．24．The average age of the 18 Internet addicts was 18．3 years．By comparing the levels of depression within this group to that within a group of 18 non-addicted Internet users, researchers found the Internet addicts had a higher chance of developing depression than non-addicts．They also discovered that addicts spent more time visiting sexually pleasing websites, online gaming sites and online communities．
"The public speculation （推測） was further proved by this study．That's to say, over-engaging in websites which serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction," Morrison said "We now need to consider the wider social influences of this relationship and clearly prove the effects of excessive Internet use on mental health．”
67．Internet addicts are people who _____ according to the passage．
A．use the Internet more than enough B．feel depressed when using the Internet
C．seldom connect to the Internet D．feel depressed without the Internet
68．What is confirmed by the study according to the passage?
A．Depression leads to excessive use of Internet．
B．Depression results from excessive use of Internet
C．Excessive use of Internet usually accompanies depression．
D．Excessive use of Internet is usually earlier to depression．
69．It is thought by the public that online communities .
A．can never replace normal social function
B．a(chǎn)re intended to replace normal social function
C．a(chǎn)re associated with psychological disorders
D．shouldn't take the blame for psychological disorders
70．According to Dr Catriona Morrison, the public speculation .
A．lacks scientific evidence B．helps clarify their study
C．finds a theoretical basis D．has little scientific value
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