Excessive internet use in European adolescents: what determines differences in severity?
Language English Country Switzerland Media print-electronic
Document type Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Adolescent Behavior psychology MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Mental Health * MeSH
- Risk Assessment MeSH
- Internet statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Confidence Intervals MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Logistic Models MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Multivariate Analysis MeSH
- Behavior, Addictive * MeSH
- Odds Ratio MeSH
- Attention physiology MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Self Concept MeSH
- Video Games statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the differences between non-excessive, moderately excessive, and highly excessive internet use among adolescents. These differences were explored in terms of personal characteristics, psychological difficulties, environmental factors, and manner of internet use. METHODS: A representative sample was investigated, consisting of 18,709 adolescents aged 11-16 and their parents, from 25 European countries. Excessive internet use was measured using a five item scale covering following factors: salience, conflict, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse and reinstatement. The main data analysis utilised multinomial and binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: The vast majority of respondents reported no signs of excessive internet use. Moderately excessive users (4.4%) reported higher emotional and behavioural difficulties, but also more sophisticated digital skills and a broader range of online activities. The highly excessive users (1.4%) differed from the non-excessive and moderately excessive users in their preference for online games and in having more difficulties with self-control. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who struggle with attention and self-control and who are inclined toward online gaming may be especially vulnerable to the otherwise uncommon phenomenon of excessive internet use.
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