Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: Analyze the prevalence and factors associated with internet addiction in a sample of high school adolescents in Acre, a state in northern Brazil.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,387 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old enrolled in high schools in the city of Rio Branco, Acre. A structured questionnaire with questions about demographics, family and behavioral patterns was applied. Internet addiction was verified using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), with a cutoff equal to or greater than 70 points. The associated factors were identified by multiple logistic regression analyses.Results: The overall prevalence of Internet addiction was 10.6%. Higher dependence was observed in females. The factors associated with Internet addiction were being female, using the computer for more than two hours a day during weekdays and on the weekend, not practicing physical activities and going out to dance at nightclubs and concerts at least once a month. A protective association of reading habits in relation to Internet dependence was observed.Conclusions: The present study showed a high prevalence of Internet dependence, with female adolescents being more susceptible. Behavioral aspects were associated with internet dependence in a sample of adolescents from Rio Branco, Acre.
Highlights
Nowadays, the internet is an essential part of everyday life, as it enables the fluidity necessary for the circulation of information and global communication.[1,2] there are benefits to this, a new pathology called internet addiction has occurred.[1,3,4] As such, a fine line separates essential access to work, the teaching-learning process, social communication, and information searching with the compulsive and pathological use of the internet
1,387 adolescents were considered in the analysis, of which 76.8% were from public schools and 23.2% were from private schools
The factors associated with internet dependency were use of a computer in free time for more than two hours a day, physical inactivity, and going out to dance in nightclubs and shows
Summary
The internet is an essential part of everyday life, as it enables the fluidity necessary for the circulation of information and global communication.[1,2] there are benefits to this, a new pathology called internet addiction has occurred.[1,3,4] As such, a fine line separates essential access to work, the teaching-learning process, social communication, and information searching with the compulsive and pathological use of the internet. Several factors are associated with internet addiction, such as sociodemographic aspects related to internet use and psychosocial habits[5,6,7]. Some studies have reported that types of leisure activities done in one’s free time, in addition to the multiple activities performed online, are predisposing factors for internet dependence.[8,9] systematic reviews have indicated several adverse effects of internet addiction on mental health, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, hostility and low self-esteem.[1,5,6,7]
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