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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2010.05.034 Byline: Lai Yin Wong (a), Matthias Paul Han Sim Toh (a)(b), Keng He Kong (c)(d) Keywords: Barriers; Complementary and Alternative Medicines; Implications Abstract: To study the perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among healthcare professionals and identify factors associated with referral for CAM treatment. Author Affiliation: (a) Health Services and Outcomes Research, National Healthcare Group, Singapore (b) Clinical Services, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Singapore (c) Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore (d) Complementary Integrative Medicine Clinic, Singapore

Abstract This study explored the effects of the Internet and Facebook usage on students' academic distraction. Facebook has become the critical vehicle for young adults to maintain their social presence and extend social connections. However, the demands for socialization and processing of scattered information on Facebook may have detrimental effects on students' academic performance. In this study, we found that academic distraction is negatively associated with academic achievement. Students with a high-frequency usage of Facebook or the Internet for entertainment per day tended to be more distracted in academic tasks, and had lower GPA. Academic distraction played a mediating role in the indirect effect of the Internet and Facebook usage on the academic achievement of college students. The implication of the study lies in promoting the awareness and reflections of students and educators in regulating the usage behavior of the Internet and Facebook in the intensive computer-mediated environment. Highlights • The overuse of Facebook and the Internet for entertainment has a negative influence on students' academic achievement. • Students with a high-frequency usage of Facebook per day tend to be more distracted in the course of academic tasks. • Academic distraction plays a mediating role in the effect of Facebook and the Internet usage on academic achievement. • Regulating the usage of Facebook and the Internet for entertainment can be beneficial to students' academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]