Empirical Relationships between Problematic Alcohol Use and a Problematic Use of Video Games, Social Media and the Internet and Their Associations to Mental Health in Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescents frequently show risky behavior, and these problematic behavior patterns often do not occur in isolation, but together. Problematic alcohol use is widespread among youth, as is problematic use of the Internet and of specific online applications (video games or social media). However, there is still a lack of findings for minors regarding the relations between these behavioral patterns (particularly between problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming or problematic social media use). Standardized instruments were used to survey problematic alcohol use, problematic gaming, problematic social media use, problematic Internet use and mental health among 633 adolescents (mean age: 15.79 years). Bivariate correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. The correlation analyses showed statistically significant positive bivariate relationships between all four behavioral patterns each. Antisocial behavior was related to all problematic behavioral patterns. Whereas, emotional distress, self-esteem problems and hyperactivity/inattention were associated with substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns only. Anger control problems were related to problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming. In adolescence, the findings revealed small effect sizes between substance-related and substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns, but moderate to large effect sizes within substance-unrelated behavioral patterns. Similarities and differences were found in the relations between the behavioral patterns and mental health.

Distress Among Adolescents: An Exploration of Mattering, Social Media Addiction, and School Connectedness

“…Albeit a small association, this correlation indicates that students who do not feel of importance to others may use social media compulsively, perhaps as a way to feel significant via an online presence. This notion corresponds to previous findings indicating that social media addiction is linked to lower levels of self-esteem (Banyai et al, 2017;Wartberg & Kammerl, 2020). In addition, researchers have found a positive correlation between social media addiction and difficulties in emotion regulation among adolescents (Wartberg et al, 2021).…”

“…Social media addiction has been associated with a variety of detrimental outcomes, including low self-esteem and depressive symptoms (Banyai et al, 2017), fear of missing out and emotion regulation difficulties (Pontes et al, 2018), and delay discounting (i.e., the preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger but delayed rewards; Turel et al, 2018). Among adolescents, Wartberg and Kammerl (2020) found significant associations between problematic social media use and a variety of variables, including antisocial behavior, emotional distress, self-esteem issues, and problematic internet gaming. Additionally, among a sample of Turkish adolescents, researchers found that social media addiction significantly correlated with more depression and less self-esteem (Kircaburun, 2016).…”

The Impact of Online Game Addiction on Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…In addition to practical problem-solving strategies, dysfunctional stress management strategies are often used to address these developmental tasks while also dealing with the struggle for freedom (from parental restraints, for example) or self-discovery. Given the pervasive pattern of problematic behaviors associated with adolescent digital media use, it seems quite appropriate to test whether there is an empirical relationship [10]. Addressing the issue of online gaming and the issue of mental health consequences children and adolescents playing online games is important given the usual trajectory of neurodevelopment; adolescence is characterized by increased maturation of the limbic system, which makes adolescents more likely to engage in addictive behavior than adults [11].…”

Depression and Social Anxiety Predict Internet Use Disorder Symptoms in Children and Adolescents at 12-Month Follow-Up: Results From a Longitudinal Study

“…Past studies indicate a strong association between Internet use disorders and both internalizing and externalizing disorders (e.g., Carli et al, 2013 ; Masi et al, 2020 ; Paschke et al, 2020 ). The most frequently mentioned mental illnesses associated with Internet use disorders are ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders with social anxiety in particular ( Taranto et al, 2015 ; Lindenberg et al, 2017b ; So et al, 2017 ; Franke et al, 2018 ; Masi et al, 2020 ; Wartberg and Kammerl, 2020 ). The associations between Internet use disorders and internalizing disorders is subject matter in the present study, as (social) anxiety as well as depression rank among the most common mental disorders in German children and adolescents ( Beesdo et al, 2007 ; Klasen et al, 2017 ).…”