{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]],"date-time":"2026-06-02T17:36:15Z","timestamp":1780421775753,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2000,12,1]],"date-time":"2000-12-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":975628800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2000,12,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Characterizations of users\u2019 experiences on the Web are beginning to appear. Recently released research suggests that Internet use may reduce psychological well\u2010being, for instance by increasing loneliness and depression. Our current study implies that using the Internet may provoke enjoyable experiences through the flow state, which may in turn positively influence an individual\u2019s subjective well\u2010being and improve a person\u2019s happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect. By surveying 304 Web users through an open\u2010ended questionnaire, this study captures a picture of Web users\u2019 flow experiences regarding their optimal situations on the Web. Results suggest that using the World Wide Web is an activity that facilitates flow, which generates an optimal, extremely enjoyable experience with total involvement and concentration. Symptoms and dimensions of flow states on the Web are reported directly from subjects\u2019 responses, such as merging of action and awareness, a loss of self\u2010consciousness, the sense of time distortion, enjoyment, and telepresence.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1108\/09593840010359473","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2002,7,27]],"date-time":"2002-07-27T02:08:10Z","timestamp":1027735690000},"page":"263-281","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":206,"title":["Exploring Web users\u2019 optimal flow experiences"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Hsiang","family":"Chen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rolf T.","family":"Wigand","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael","family":"Nilan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021120214155900_b1","unstructured":"Chen, H., Wigand, R.T. and Nilan, M. 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