Non-Substance Addiction in Childhood and Adolescence

Social Media Addiction and Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To measure a multivariate analysis of social media addiction and cognitive-behavioral physical activity associated with several sociodemographic characteristics in adolescent girls.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of adolescent girls studying in a vocational high-school in the Middle-Black-Sea region in Türkiye (n = 333). A questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale-for-Adolescents (SMAS-A), and Cognitive-Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ) were used to collect the data.

RESULTS

The mean age was 15.35 (SD = 1.15), and 29.4% were the ninth-class students. Of the adolescent girls, 85.9% were social-media users, 59.8% used the internet 2-hours-or-more/daily, 67.9% declared themselves as moderately-active. The mean scores of the SMAS-A and the CBPAQ were 3.40 (SD = 1.61) and 21.03 (SD = 7.64), respectively. There was a significantly-negative correlation between cognitive-behavioral physical activity and social-media addiction levels. The One-Way MANOVA results showed significant differences in the academic level, family income, mother education, and physical activity measurement application usage affected to cognitive-behavioral physical activity. Social media usage habit affected to the social media addiction level.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily internet usage time and self-declared physical activity level were the mutually affected factors. School nurses should act to improve healthy social media usage habits to promote well-being and encourage the positive attitudes towards regular physical activity in this population.

Computer and Internet Use Among Children and Adolescents in Greece: Levels of Addiction

OBJECTIVE

The digitalization of our daily living has changed dramatically the internet and digital media use among all ages. However, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to potential dangers and addiction risks. Our objective was to evaluate the computer and internet addiction levels in children and adolescents through their parents' reports.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region of Megara (Attica, Greece) for two months (September-November 2022). In total, 205 parents (74 fathers, 131 mothers) of school-age children participated, completing the study questionnaire (demographic data and the Adolescent Computer Addiction Scale - parental version (20 items in a 1-5 Likert Scale).

RESULTS

 Based on the addiction scale score, only 2.45% (N=5) of the parents rated high scores indicating serious addictive behaviors regarding internet use. The majority were parents of boys (58%) and the mean age of children was 10.92±2.81years (five to 18 years). According to parental reports, the mean age of primary access to a computer or device with internet access was 7.18±2.29 years (two to 13 years). Regarding internet use, 58.5% of the children had access to the internet via smartphone, used the internet one to two hours/day (46.1%), and 62% of children had internet access in their bedroom. Children whose parents used the internet more than five hours/day displayed a greater addiction (F=3.06, df=3.187, p=0.03). A significant positive correlation was also found among children age (r=0.388, p<0.01), computer and internet availability in children's bedrooms, and internet addiction (t=4.43, df=189, p≤0.001 and t=3.88, df=189, p≤0.001, respectively). In summary, parents reported moderate or severe addiction in 7.2% of boys and 5.1% of girls. However, it should be noted that the exact cut-off points were difficult to determine due to a lack of objective criteria for diagnosing addiction severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of addiction in our study according to the parents' reports were limited and only a small number of parents reported highly addictive behaviors. However, there is a direct correlation between increased parental internet use that can significantly increase children's addiction levels. Parents act as role models that may increase children's exposure to the internet and lead to addiction.

Dose-Response Associations of Internet Use Time and Internet Addiction With Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Children and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Children's lives are increasingly mediated by digital technologies, yet evidence regarding the associations between internet use and depression is far from comprehensive and remains unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the dose-response association between internet use, including use time and addiction behaviors, and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province.

Methods

Data were collected from a school-based health survey China Common Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance Among Students, encompassing 21,336 students in Zhejiang Province. The daily internet use time, internet addiction (IA) behaviors, and depressive symptoms were assessed with questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of internet use time and IA behaviors with depressive symptoms among children and adolescents. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to determine the dose-response associations.

Results

A total of 6225 (29.2%) students had depressive symptoms. Compared to those reporting no internet use, boys using the internet for >2 hours/day (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% CI 1.34-1.74) and girls using internet for 1.1-2 hours/day (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.39) and >2 hours/day (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.50-1.93) were at higher risks of depressive symptoms. A significant J-shaped association was identified between internet use time and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents, especially in boys and primary school students (nonlinear P values were .006, .003, and <.001, respectively). Increased IA behaviors were associated with a higher odd of depressive symptoms (1 IA behavior: OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.83-2.21; 2 IA behaviors: 2.91, 95% CI 2.57-3.29; and ≥3 IA behaviors: 4.72, 95% CI 4.26-5.22). A positive nonlinear association between the number of IA behaviors and depressive symptoms was found in total population, girls, and primary school students (nonlinear P values were .02, .002, .007, respectively).

Conclusions

Findings suggested that excessive internet use time and IA behaviors were significantly associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of interventions to regulate and educate about adequate internet use during childhood and adolescence.

A Systematic Review of the Association of Internet Gaming Disorder and Excessive Social Media Use With Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children and Adolescents: Is It a Curse or a Blessing?

Internet gaming and social media usage (SMU), particularly among children and teenagers, have witnessed a remarkable surge over the past decade. However, it remains uncertain whether this widespread usage has a positive or negative impact. The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate the diverse effects of excessive video game playing and extensive SMU, both favorable and detrimental, on the psychological and mental well-being of children and adolescents. To assess the influence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and disordered SMU on the mental health of children aged 6-12 years and adolescents aged 13-18 years, we conducted a systematic review of 20 studies on the subject. These studies utilized a substantial sample size of 48,652 participants, encompassing online and in-person questionnaires administered to children, teenagers, and their parents in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and online platforms. Our findings suggest that multiple factors contribute to the intricate relationship between SMU, video game playing, and mental health outcomes. The majority of research indicates that excessive gaming or SMU among children and teenagers leads to adverse consequences on their mental well-being. Furthermore, certain studies have even reported fatal consequences, while others have identified a worsening of preexisting mental health issues. A few studies have explored the potential positive impacts of SMU and gaming on individuals and society at large. In light of this, we have concluded that it is inappropriate to categorize internet gaming and SMU as solely beneficial or detrimental without considering the broader context and the interplay of various factors.

The effect of educational computer games on the academic resilience, academic self-regulation, and academic achievement of EFL students

Introduction

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the field of educational computer games (ECGs). Although ECGs have been researched, more analyses still need to be performed on these variables to check their effects on language learning.

Methods

To this end, 74-third grade female state high school students from two schools in Zanjan were selected through a two-stage cluster random sampling method. The number of students in each class was 37. One of the classes (control group) was trained traditionally and the other was for one semester through the researchers-made ECGs. After completing the training, the research tools were performed as a post-test on the experimental and control groups. The data collection stage took place for about 6 months.

Results

Based on the results from the research questions, the use of training computers has been effective in increasing AR, ASR, and AA.

Discussion

It has significant implications for teachers and learners in the EFL context and opens interesting opportunities for administrators and curriculum developers to explore when planning EFL courses.

Association between religiosity or spirituality and internet addiction: A systematic review

Introduction

The literature provides evidence of religiosity being associated with physical and mental health, and also with behavioral addictions. This systematic review examines the data on the link between religiosity or spirituality and the emerging internet addictions.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify observational (cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control) studies conducted on adolescents and young adults to investigate the association between religiosity or spirituality and internet addiction. Of the 854 articles identified in the databases, 13 met our inclusion criteria and were included in our systematic review.

Results

Eleven of the 13 studies reviewed specifically investigated religiosity and internet addiction: six found an inverse association between religiosity and internet addiction; three found no evidence of any association; and one found a direct association. One study examining both religiosity and spirituality generated mixed results. Only one study investigated spirituality unrelated to religion, and found a direct association with internet addiction. Two of three studies specifically considering internet gaming addiction found it inversely associated with high levels of religiosity, while the third found no association.

Conclusion

This review supports a possible role for religiosity as a protective factor, as emerged from the majority of the studies examined. Religiosity also seemed to be associated with lower internet gaming rates among adolescents.

Problematic Smartphone Use Leads to Behavioral and Cognitive Self-Control Deficits

Excessive use of smartphones has been associated with a number of negative consequences for individuals. Some of these consequences relate to many symptoms of behavioral addiction. The present study aims to investigate whether participants with high levels of smartphone usage may have difficulty with their ability to wield the self-control that is needed to restrict smartphone usage compared to participants with lower levels of smartphone addiction. Specifically, we expect that people with high levels of smartphone usage may have problems in refraining from using a smartphone. In addition, we expect people with a high level of smartphone use may show deficiencies in cognitive tasks such as memory, executive control, and visual and auditory attention. An ABA design was applied to analyze the effects of smartphone withdrawal. The first A refers to baseline measurements: Visual RT, Auditory RT, Go/No-Go RT and N-Back RT and Eriksen flanker RT. The B refers to 3 days of smartphone withdrawal, whereas the second A refers to the same measurements used in the baseline. In addition, several standardized scales were administered, among them: Smartphone addiction scale-short version (SAS-SV), Fear of missing out scale (FoMOs), Procrastination scale, and Psychological General Well-Being Index. One hundred and eleven participants took part in the study. Based on median split they were divided into two groups: high level and low level smartphone users. Moreover, thanks to an app installed on the participants' smartphones, it was possible to measure levels of compliance with the task. Results indicate that participants with low levels of smartphone usage show less difficulty in their ability to wield the self-control needed to withdraw smartphone use and faster reaction times on cognitive tests than participants with high levels of smartphone usage. Moreover, the profile of participants with high levels of smartphone usage shows higher scores on the FoMOs and Procrastination scale, and lower scores in the Psychological General Well-Being Index. The results are discussed in light of self-regulation theory.

Exploring subtypes and correlates of internet gaming disorder severity among adolescents during COVID-19 in China: A latent class analysis

The WHO recently included Gaming Disorder as a psychiatric diagnosis. Whether there are distinct groups of adolescents who differ based on severity of gaming disorder and their relationships with other mental health and addictive behavior outcomes, including problematic smartphone use (PSU), remains unclear. The current study explored and identified subtypes of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) severity and estimated the association between these subtypes and other disorders. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing the severity of IGD, PSU, depression, and anxiety during COVID-19. We conducted a latent class analysis of IGD symptoms among 1,305 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 15.2; male = 58.5%) from 11 secondary schools in Macao (SAR), China. Multinomial logistic regression estimated correlates of latent class membership and PSU. A 4-class model adequately described the sample subgroups. Classes were labeled as normative gamers (30.9%), occasional gamers (42.4%), problematic gamers (22.7%), and addictive gamers (4.1%). Relative to normative gamers, PSU severity, depression, and being male were significantly higher among problematic gamers, addictive gamers, and occasional gamers. Only problematic gamers showed significant positive associations with anxiety severity compared to the other groups. The study revealed the differences in severity of gaming disorder and its association with psychopathology outcomes. Application in screening for IGD and comorbidity is discussed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03133-8.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and its Correlates Among Regular Undergraduate Medicine and Health Science Students at Ambo University. Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction:

Internet addiction (IA) is causing academic failure, decreased concentration ability, and a negative affective state. In Ethiopia, studies conducted on IA were limited; therefore, this study aimed to assess its prevalence and risk factors among medicine and health science (MHS) students of Ambo University.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional study and included MHS students of Ambo University from July 15 to August 15, 2021. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after receiving informed consent from study participants. The results were analyzed using the statistical software for social sciences version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the relationship between IA and dependent variables.

Results:

Of the 253 participants who participated in the study, 201 (79%) were found to have an IA. Having one’s own computer, Internet access at home and an email account were 2 times more risky to develop IA compared to their counterparts with AOR = 2.615 (95% CI = 1.118-5.956) with a P value of .022, AOR = 2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405) with a P value of .35 and (=2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405 with a P value of .035 respectively. Additionally, those who use the Internet for news were 2.5 times more likely to develop IA compared to those who do not (AOR = 2.551 (95% CI = 1.225-5.349) with a P-value of .013). The use of the Internet for scientific research and education reduces IA by 0.7 times (AOR = 0.323 (95% CI = 0.120-0.868) with a P value of .025).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of IA was found to be high in this study. Therefore, strategies are needed to minimize the prevalence of this problem.