Abstract
Background: Internet addictive behaviors are associated with a plethora of psychosocial adversities. The study objectives were to assess the determinants and psychosocial correlates associated with Internet addictive behaviors among adolescents.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied among a random sample (n=805) of Cypriot adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years). Self-completed questionnaires, including Internet use characteristics, Young Internet Addiction Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were utilized.
Results: Among the study population, the prevalence rates of borderline addictive Internet use (BIU) and addictive Internet use (AIU) were 18.4% and 2%, respectively. Adolescents with BIU had an increased likelihood of concomitantly presenting with abnormal peer relations (AOR: 5.28; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.37–23.38), conduct problems (AOR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.82–8.08), hyperactivity (AOR: 5.58; 95% CI: 2.58–12.10) and emotional symptoms (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.53–5.32). Adolescent AIU was significantly associated with abnormal conduct (AOR: 22.31; 95% CI: 6.90–72.19), peer problems (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 1.36–37.50), emotional symptoms (AOR: 19.06; 95% 6.06–60.61), and hyperactivity (AOR: 9.49, 95% CI: 1.87–48.19). The determinants of BIU and AIU included accessing the Internet for the purposes of retrieving sexual information (AOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.17–3.23) and participating in games with monetary awards (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.15–3.14).
Conclusions: Both BIU and AIU were adversely associated with notable behavioral and social maladjustment among adolescents.
Acknowledgments
The present work was funded by the Second University Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine. The funding body contributed to the study design and data collection. The funding body did not have any role in the analysis and interpretation of data, composition of the manuscript, and/or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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