Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours.

Michael Kaess,Danuta Wasserman,Maria Balint,Marco Sarchiapone,Miriam Iosue,Franz Resch,Peter Parzer,Merike Sisask,Camilla Wasserman,Romuald Brunner,Alan Apter,Julio Bobes,Doina Cosman,Avigal Snir,Tony Durkee,George J Musa,Janina Žiberna,Birgitta Floderus,Vladimir Carli,Jean Pierre Kahn ,Pádraig Cotter ,Christian Häring ,B Nemeş ,Judit Balázs ,R Cohen ,Gloria J Fischer ,Airi Värnik ,Christina W Hoven ,Vita Poštuvan ,Pilar A Sáiz

doi:10.1007/s00787-014-0562-7

Abstract

Rising global rates of pathological Internet use (PIU) and related psychological impairments have gained considerable attention in recent years. In an effort to acquire evidence-based knowledge of this relationship, the main objective of this study was to investigate the association between PIU, psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours among school-based adolescents in eleven European countries. This cross-sectional study was implemented within the framework of the European Union project: Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe. A representative sample of 11,356 school-based adolescents (M/F: 4,856/6,500; mean age: 14.9) was included in the analyses. PIU was assessed using the Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire. Psychopathology was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Self-destructive behaviours were evaluated by the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory and Paykel Suicide Scale. Results showed that suicidal behaviours (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts), depression, anxiety, conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention were significant and independent predictors of PIU. The correlation between PIU, conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention was stronger among females, while the link between PIU and symptoms of depression, anxiety and peer relationship problems was stronger among males. The association between PIU, psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours was stronger in countries with a higher prevalence of PIU and suicide rates. These findings ascertain that psychopathology and suicidal behaviours are strongly related to PIU. This association is significantly influenced by gender and country suggesting socio-cultural influences. At the clinical and public health levels, targeting PIU among adolescents in the early stages could potentially lead to improvements of psychological well-being and a reduction of suicidal behaviours.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00787-014-0562-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

The Internet is an integral part of modern society and functions as an essential medium for communication, socialization and education
Females reported higher maladaptive Internet users (MIU) (14.2 %) compared to males (12.3 %), while Pathological Internet use (PIU) was slightly higher among males (4.7 %) compared to females (3.9 %)
In the PIU group (n = 478), 33.5 % reported moderate to severe depression and 27.6 % reported moderate to severe anxiety

Summary

Introduction

The Internet is an integral part of modern society and functions as an essential medium for communication, socialization and education. Global rates of Internet use have increased considerably over the past few decades [1]. Though this trend is observed in all age groups, it is most pronounced among youth [2]. Excessive use of the Internet is known to increase the propensity for developing online addictive behaviours [5, 6]. These high risk-behaviours could have a detrimental impact on adolescents’ psychological development [7, 8]

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Conclusion