Internet Addiction Proneness Research Articles

Network Structure and Clustering Analysis Relating to Individual Symptoms of Problematic Internet Use in a Community Adolescent Population

Introduction: Problematic internet use (PIU) is a psychopathology that includes multiple symptoms and psychological constructs. Because no studies have considered both network structures and clusters among individual symptoms in the context of PIU in a Korean adolescent population, this study aimed to investigate network structures and clustering in relation to PIU symptoms in adolescents. Methods: Overall, 73,238 adolescents were included. PIU severity was assessed using a self-rating scale comprising 20 items and 6 subscales, namely, the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form; KS scale. Network structures and clusters among symptoms were analyzed using a Gaussian graphical model and exploratory graph analysis, respectively. Centrality of strength, closeness, and betweenness scores was also calculated. Results: Our study identified four clusters: disturbance in adaptive functioning, virtual interpersonal relationships, withdrawal, and tolerance. The symptom of confidence served as a node bridging the cluster of virtual interpersonal relationships and other clusters of withdrawal and disturbances of adaptive function. The symptom of craving served as a bridge between the clusters of withdrawal and tolerance with high betweenness centrality. Conclusion: This study identified network structures and clustering among PIU symptoms in adolescents and revealed that positive experiences derived from online interpersonal relationships were an important mechanism underlying PIU. These are novel insights concerning the interconnection among multiple symptoms and related clustering for the mechanism of adolescent PIU in terms of KS-scale PIU assessment.

Poor Sleep Quality, Eveningness, and Anxiety Are Associated With Internet/Smartphone Addiction in Korean Adolescents

Objective: Internet addiction and smartphone addiction are emerging mental health concerns in adolescents. To determine the factors related to these conditions, we investigated their associations with sleep quality, chronotype, sleep patterns, daylight exposure, depression, and anxiety.Methods: Self-rated questionnaires, including the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale-Short Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale–short version, Insomnia Severity Index, Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep-related questionnaires, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, were administered in a study population of 1,610 Korean high school students. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations with internet addiction and smartphone addiction.Results: Multiple linear regression showed significant associations of internet addiction with poor sleep quality (β=0.094, p<0.001), eveningness (β=-0.071, p=0.006), less daylight exposure (β=-0.066, p=0.005), anxiety (β=0.252, p<0.001), and older age (β=0.295, p<0.001). Smartphone addiction was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (β=0.076, p=0.005), eveningness (β=-0.164, p<0.001), excessive daytime sleepiness (β=0.109, p<0.001), longer time in bed on weekdays (β=0.057, p=0.024), shorter weekend oversleep (β=-0.081, p=0.005), anxiety (β=0.192, p<0.001), and younger age (β=-0.145, p<0.001).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that poor sleep quality, eveningness, and anxiety can serve as predictors of both internet addiction and smartphone addiction in adolescents. Internet addiction seems to be negatively associated with daylight exposure, whereas smartphone addiction showed significant associations with sleep patterns. Additional studies regarding the causal relations between these factors are needed.

Association between Asthma and Internet Addiction Status in Korean Adolescents.

BackgroundProblematic Internet addiction (IA) has been shown to be associated with a variety of psychological comorbidities, but its relationship with adolescent asthma has not yet been investigated in detail.MethodsWe analyzed 18,473 adolescent patients with physician-diagnosed asthma and 205,069 non-asthmatic adolescent patients from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Socioeconomic factors, health behavior factors, psychological factors, and IA status were assessed using the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, with adjustment for multiple cofounders, to explore the association between IA and adolescent asthma.ResultsComparison between the adolescent asthma group and non-adolescent asthma group indicated higher rates of probable IA (13.7% vs. 12.1%, respectively, P<0.001), IA (4.8% vs. 3.1%, respectively, P<0.001), and problematic IA (18.5% vs. 15.2%, respectively, P<0.001) in the adolescent asthma group. After adjustment for multiple confounders, probable IA [odds ratio (OR): 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.26] and IA (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12) were significantly associated with increased risk of adolescent asthma, compared to non-problematic Internet use.ConclusionsIA is associated with an increased rate of asthma in Korean adolescents. So, IA has attracted minimal attention in relation to the treatment of asthma.

What Types of Internet Services Make Adolescents Addicted? Correlates of Problematic Internet Use.

PurposeThis study investigated the prevalence and correlates of problematic internet use (PIU) in a large sample of adolescents based on the type of internet service used.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted from 2008 to 2010, and 223,542 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years participated in the study. The participants responded to a self-report questionnaire including items for demographic factors, internet usage time, most used internet service and mental health. The PIU was assessed with the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form.ResultsThe overall prevalence rate of PIU was 5.2%, and the prevalence rates stratified by sex were 7.7% in boys and 3.8% in girls. The distribution of most used internet services was significantly different across sexes. The most commonly used internet services were gaming (58.1%) in boys and blogging (22.1%) and messenger/chatting (20.3%) in girls. The odds ratio for PIU was significantly different according to the most used internet service; using the internet mostly for pornography compared to information searching had the highest odds ratio (4.526-fold higher). Depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts were significantly associated with higher odds ratios for PIU (1.725-, 1.747- and 1.361-fold, respectively).ConclusionThe present study identified clinically important information about PIU in adolescents. The distribution of PIU has different patterns based on sex and specific internet services. Studies of PIU with well-defined methodology and assessment tools for PIU of each specific internet service are needed.

Transitions in Problematic Internet Use: A One-Year Longitudinal Study of Boys.

ObjectiveLongitudinal studies may help elucidate the factors associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); however, little prospective research has been conducted on the subject. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine PIU in children/adolescents and identify the possible risk factors associated with transitions in PIU severity. Methods650 middle-school boys were surveyed at two points one year apart and assessed for PIU using the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth (KS-II) and on other psychological characteristics. ResultsWe found that 15.3% at baseline and 12.4% at one year met the criteria for at-risk/high-risk PIU (ARHRPIU). Both the persistent-ARHRPIU and emerging-ARHRPIU groups revealed greater depressive, motor impulsive, and smart-phone-addiction tendencies than the remitting-ARHRPIU group or the persistent low-risk group. In addition, we found that individuals exhibiting higher hyperkinetic attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were less likely to remit from ARHRPIU, and that individuals exhibiting more ADHD-related cognitive dysfunction and reporting fewer Internet-game-free days were more likely to demonstrate an emergence of ARHRPIU. ConclusionThe present findings support previous studies in that specific negative-health features are linked to transitions in ARHRPIU. Furthermore, these findings suggest that intervention is needed and may be best targeted at specific groups of youths.

Associations among Addiction Risk, Life Satisfaction, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Adults

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of multiple addiction risks with life satisfaction, depression, and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. Methods: This study was descriptive correlational. Data were collected in 800 adults (405 males, 395 females) aged 20 to 69 years recruited using the proportional allocation in a city on April 2017. The structured questionnaire consisted of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for adults, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Drug Screening Inventory, the Korean version of the Satisfaction with the Life Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Results: Adults with multiple addiction risks had a low level of life satisfaction (p=.003) and high levels of depression and suicidal ideation (p<.001) compared to other participants. Multiple addiction risks were associated with low life satisfaction (β=.12), high depression (β=.21), and suicidal ideation (β=.20). Significant factors of life satisfaction were low suicidal ideation, a simple functioning job, high level of education, and unemployment status. Conclusion: Multiple addiction risks are associated with life satisfaction, depression, and suicidal ideation. The comprehensive mental health assessment for multiple addictions should precede the development of preventive multidimensional interventions.

A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program in Adolescents at Risk for Internet and Smartphone Addiction.

Objectives:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary effects of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program in adolescents deemed to be in an at-risk group for Internet and smartphone addiction.Methods:The study group consisted of 33 adolescent participants (24 boys and 9 girls) at risk of Internet and smartphone addiction in small and medium-sized cities. The subjects participated in 8 consecutive sessions of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program. The Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale, the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale, the Real-Ideal Self Discrepancy Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Peer Intimacy Scale, and the Escaping from the Self Scale were evaluated before the initial and after the final session. A paired t-test was performed to statistically analyze the data.Results:The Peer Relationship Enhancement Program led to a significant decrease (p<0.05) in self-reported measures of The Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale, the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale, and the Real-Ideal Self Discrepancy Scale.Conclusion:The Peer Relationship Enhancement Program reduces the risk of Internet and smartphone addiction and effectively prevents the associated problems.

Associations of Internet Use with Oral Hygiene Based on National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Objectives:To investigate the association of problematic Internet use with oral health behaviors and oral health status in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents.Methods:Data from the 2010 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (73238 Korean adolescents; mean age 15.06±1.75 years; age range, 12–18 years) were used. Problematic Internet use was measured using the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess oral health behaviors and oral health status of adolescents.Results:Problematic Internet users were less likely to brush their teeth frequently [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.56–0.63] and at school after lunch (AOR=0.89; 95% CI=0.83–0.94) as well as more likely to perceive their oral health to be poorer (AOR=1.63, 95% CI=1.54–1.72) and experience oral symptoms (AOR=1.75, 95% CI=1.65–1.86) compared to usual Internet users.Conclusion:The study results indicate that problematic Internet use may adversely affect the oral health of Korean adolescents. Thus, oral health screening and Internet-based education are needed for adolescents experiencing problematic Internet use.

Associations of body weight perception and weight control behaviors with problematic internet use among Korean adolescents

We examined the association of body mass index (BMI), body weight perception, and weight control behaviors with problematic Internet use in a nationwide sample of Korean adolescents. Cross-sectional data from the 2010 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey collected from 37,041 boys and 33,655 girls in middle- and high- schools (grades 7–12) were analyzed. Participants were classified into groups based on BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese), body weight perception (underweight, normal weight, and overweight), and weight control behavior (no weight control behavior, appropriate weight control behavior, inappropriate weight control behavior). The risk of problematic Internet use was assessed with the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Both boys and girls with inappropriate weight control behavior were more likely to have problematic Internet use. Underweight, overweight, and obese boys and girls were more likely to have problematic Internet use. For both boys and girls, subjective perception of underweight and overweight were positively associated with problematic Internet use. Given the negative effect of inappropriate weight control behavior, special attention needs to be given to adolescents’ inappropriate weight control behavior, and an educational intervention for adolescents to control their weight in healthy ways is needed.

Targeted exome sequencing for the identification of a protective variant against Internet gaming disorder at rs2229910 of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 3 (NTRK3): A pilot study.

Background and aimsInternet gaming disorder (IGD) has gained recognition as a potential new diagnosis in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but genetic evidence supporting this disorder remains scarce.MethodsIn this study, targeted exome sequencing was conducted in 30 IGD patients and 30 control subjects with a focus on genes linked to various neurotransmitters associated with substance and non-substance addictions, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Resultsrs2229910 of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 3 (NTRK3) was the only single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that exhibited a significantly different minor allele frequency in IGD subjects compared to controls (p = .01932), suggesting that this SNP has a protective effect against IGD (odds ratio = 0.1541). The presence of this potentially protective allele was also associated with less time spent on Internet gaming and lower scores on the Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Adults.ConclusionsThe results of this first targeted exome sequencing study of IGD subjects indicate that rs2229910 of NTRK3 is a genetic variant that is significantly related to IGD. These findings may have significant implications for future research investigating the genetics of IGD and other behavioral addictions.

Associations of physical activity with sleep satisfaction, perceived stress, and problematic Internet use in Korean adolescents

BackgroundThe association of physical activity (PA) with sleep quality, perceived stress, and problematic Internet use was examined in a nationwide sample of Korean adolescents.MethodsData from the 2010 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey collected from 73,238 Korean adolescents aged 12–18 years (mean age 15.06 ± 1.75 years) were analyzed. Participants were asked to rate the frequency with which they engaged in moderate and vigorous PA per week. The risk of problematic Internet use was assessed with the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess levels of sleep satisfaction and perceived stress. The associations of PA with sleep satisfaction, perceived stress, and problematic Internet use were assessed with multiple logistic regression analysis. Then, the Sobel test was used to explore the mediation of the relationship between PA and problematic Internet use by sleep satisfaction and stress.ResultsPhysically active subjects were more likely to express satisfaction with their sleep (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.08, 1.18), less likely to feel stress in their lives (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.93), and less likely to be a problematic Internet user (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.73, 0.82) compared to physically inactive subjects. The Sobel test revealed that the inverse association between PA and problematic Internet use was partially mediated by increased sleep satisfaction or decreased perceived stress (Z = −4.315, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate a negative association between level of physical activity and risk of problematic Internet use via the mediation of sleep satisfaction and stress in Korean adolescents. Physical activity may be helpful to improve adolescent mental health.

청소년의 인터넷중독과 건강행태 및 정신건강 요인 - 2010년 청소년건강행태온라인조사 자료를 이용하여

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between internet addiction and health behaviors & mental health among Korean adolescents. Methods: Data from the 2010 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey was analyzed. Using the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form: Self Report developed by the Korean National Information Society Agency in 2008, subjects were classified into 3 groups for internet addiction including general user, potential-risk group, and high-risk group. The health behaviors and mental health were compared among the groups for internet addiction by gender. Results: There was significantly higher prevalence of internet addiction including potential-risk group and high-risk group in boys(14.1%) than in girls(8.8%). There were significant odds ratios of perceived stress, perceived depression, perceived health and happiness, and satisfaction of sleeping in both genders at potential-risk group and high-risk group compared to general user for the internet addiction. The odds ratios of smoking at high risk group, alcohol drinking at potential risk group, eating breakfast at high risk group, and moderate physical activity at both risk groups among boys were significant. Among girls at both risk group, the odds ratios of smoking, alcohol drinking, and eating breakfast were significant. Conclusions: This study reveals a significant association among internet addiction, and health behaviors, and mental health in Korean adolescents.

Associations between the Risk of Internet Addiction and Problem Behaviors among Korean Adolescents

BackgroundThe number of internet users is increasing rapidly and internet addiction among adolescents has become a serious public health problem in Korea. In the light of behavioral addiction, this study was aimed to identify the associations between the risk of internet addiction and other problem behaviors which can lead to addiction, such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, drug abuse, and sexual intercourse among a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents.MethodsData from the 2010 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (respondents, 73,238) were analyzed. Risk of internet addiction was assessed by the 'Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form: Self Report' which was developed by the Korean National Information Society Agency in 2008. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios of problem behaviors among adolescents at high risk for internet addiction and adolescents at low risk for internet addiction.ResultsThe odds of smoking experience, drug abuse experience, and sexual intercourse experience were significantly higher among boys at high risk for internet addiction compared to boys at low risk for internet addiction. Among girls at high risk of internet addiction, the odds of smoking experience, drinking experience, and drug abuse experience were significantly higher compared with girls at low risk of internet addiction.ConclusionThe risk of internet addiction was associated with cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, drug abuse, and sexual intercourse experience among Korean adolescents.

초등학교 고학년 학생의 인터넷 중독정도에 영향을 미치는 요인

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing internet addiction proneness and condition of internet use in higher grade students at an elementary school. Method: The subjects consisted of 234 sixth grade students at an elementary school in Gyeonggido. SPSS/Win18.0 was used for analysis of data. Results: Among the subjects, 51.3% had used the internet for more than three years, 89.3% used the internet in their home, and 38.5% used the internet for games. In internet addition proneness, 3.1% were potential risk users and 1.3% were high risk users. Internet addiction proneness differed significantly according to gender, period of internet use, internet access location, and purpose of internet use. Internet addiction proneness showed negative correlation with protective factors and positive correlation with risk factors. The factors affecting the internet addiction proneness were degree of internet use, peer protective factor(support from peer), personal protective factor(self-control), internet access location, and family risk factor(negative communication). These factors accounted for 32.9% of internet addiction proneness. Conclusion: Strategies are needed for improvement of the relationship with the peer group and family communication and to encourage self-control for prevention of internet addiction in elementary school students in community mental health service.

The association between problematic internet use and depression, suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder symptoms in Korean adolescents

This study used a sample of Korean adolescents to evaluate: (a) associations between problematic internet use and depression, bipolar disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation; and (b) whether mood disorders mediate the relationship between problematic internet use and suicidal ideation. A total of 795 middle and high school students were recruited (538 girls; mean age, 13.87 ± 1.51 years). The Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form (KS-scale) was used to evaluate the presence and severity of problematic internet use. The frequencies of depression, suicidal ideation and probable bipolar disorder were compared between adolescents with and without internet addiction. The associations between the severity of problematic internet use and the severity of depressive symptoms, bipolar symptoms and suicidal ideation were also analyzed. Seventy-five adolescents (9.4%) met the criteria for problematic internet use. The presence of problematic internet use was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 5.82, 95% CI = 3.30-10.26, p < 0.001) as well as depression (OR = 5.00, 95% CI = 2.88-8.66, p < 0.001). There was a marginally significant association between problematic internet use and probable bipolar disorder (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 0.96-9.69, p = 0.059). In the path model, problematic internet use significantly predicted depressive symptoms (β = 0.296, 95% CI = 0.214-0.367, p = 0.005), which predicted suicidal ideation (β = 0.699, 95% CI = 0.631-0.751, p = 0.009). Problematic internet use also predicted suicidal ideation directly (β = 0.115, 95% CI = 0.052-0.193, p = 0.006). Conversely, depressive symptoms (β = 0.119, 95% CI = -0.005-0.219, p = 0.040) and suicidal ideation (β = 0.215, 95% CI = 0.089-0.346, p = 0.005) predicted problematic internet use. There is a complex transactional relationship between problematic internet use, depressive symptoms, bipolar symptoms and suicidal ideation, so these conditions must be assessed together during the evaluation of adolescents. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between problematic internet use, mood symptoms and suicidal ideation.

A validation of parallel tests of Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale

A validation of parallel tests of Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale