Risk factors and psychosocial characteristics of potential problematic and problematic internet use among adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundProblematic internet use (PIU) is associated with a plethora of psychosocial adversities. The study objectives were to assess the determinants and psychosocial implications associated with potential PIU and PIU among adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was applied among a random sample (n = 866) of Greek adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years). Self-completed questionnaires, including internet use characteristics, Young Internet Addiction Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were utilized to examine the study objectives.ResultsAmong the study population, the prevalence rates of potential PIU and PIU were 19.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that male gender (Odds Ratio, OR: 2.01; 95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI: 1.35-3.00), as well as utilizing the internet for retrieving sexual information (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.53-4.12), interactive game playing (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.21-2.82), and socialization, including chat-room use (OR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.36-2.86) and email (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.05-2.24), were independently associated with potential PIU and PIU. Adolescents with potential PIU had an increased likelihood of concomitantly presenting with hyperactivity (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 2.03-9.52) and conduct (OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.46-4.50) problems. Moreover, adolescent PIU was significantly associated with hyperactivity (OR: 9.96; 95% CI: 1.76-56.20) and conduct (OR: 8.39; 95% CI: 2.04-34.56) problems, as well as comprehensive psychosocial maladjustment (OR: 8.08; 95% CI: 1.44-45.34).ConclusionsThe determinants of potential PIU and PIU include accessing the internet for the purposes of retrieving sexual information, game playing, and socialization. Furthermore, both potential PIU and PIU are adversely associated with notable behavioral and social maladjustment among adolescents.

Internet addiction in adolescents: Prevalence and risk factors

“…Using a validated self-report measure , it was found that 3.7% of the adolescents included were classified as addicted to using the Internet. This appears to be at the more conservative end of estimates that range from 1.5% in Greece (Kormas, et al, 2011) to 10.7% in South Korea (Park, et al, 2008). Using a conservative threshold with the CIUS, it was possible to establish a cut-off indicative of Internet addiction as based on this validated and frequently used selfreport measure.…”

Epidemiologia do Uso de Internet numa População Adolescente e Sua Relação com Hábitos de Sono

“…Este é um resultado controverso, uma vez que existem autores que demostram que o género masculino está associado a dependência de Internet e outros negam a diferença entre géneros. [33][34][35][36][37] O uso de redes sociais e jogos online foi associado a dependência por outros autores, 38 contudo os nossos resultados demonstraram apenas associação positiva entre dependência de Internet e uso de RS. Este resultado refuta a ideia inicialmente aceite que a dependência de Internet não seria mais do que dependência de jogos online.…”

Problematic mobile phone use of Swiss adolescents: is it linked with mental health or behaviour?

“…Previous studies found hyperactivity and ADHD associated with problematic internet use (Kaess et al 2014;Ko et al 2012;Kormas et al 2011;Ozturk et al 2013) and using the mobile phone for entertainment (playing games, internet) (Byun et al 2013b;Zheng et al 2014). Hyperactive adolescents are easily distracted, show problems in sustaining attention and are less capable of impulse control (Douglas 1972).…”