The relationship between Internet addiction and childhood trauma in adolescents: The mediating role of social support

From Childhood Experiences to Social Media Addiction: Unraveling the Impact on Adolescents

Social media usage among adolescents has significantly increased in recent years, playing a crucial role in contemporary youth culture. The increasing adoption of the internet across all age groups has led to numerous benefits, but also concerns regarding its misuse, particularly among adolescents. However, alongside these benefits, problems related to internet misuse have also escalated. Background/Objectives: A review of the literature reveals a lack of studies examining the long-term effects of childhood experiences on later social media addiction. This study aims to investigate the impact of childhood experiences on social media addiction during adolescence. Methods: This study employs a relational survey model, a quantitative research method. Data were collected using the Childhood Experiences Scale and the Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents. This study's participants included 371 adolescents attending secondary education institutions under the Ministry of National Education of Türkiye during the 2024-2025 academic year. Participants were selected through simple random sampling. Relationship and impact tests were used to analyze the data. Results: This study found that adolescents with adverse school experiences exhibited social media addiction. A significant relationship was found between adverse school experiences and the time spent on social media. Furthermore, in terms of the gender variable, it was found that females scored significantly higher on the Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents compared to males. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is observed that adverse experiences encountered in children's school life may influence social media addiction in their future lives. In future studies, researchers may identify different childhood experiences that impact social media addiction.

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.

The relationship between childhood psychological abuse and depression in college students: internet addiction as mediator, different dimensions of alexithymia as moderator

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Childhood psychological abuse (CPA) is highly associated with depression among college students. However, the underlying mechanisms between these variables need further exploration. This study aims to investigate internet addiction as a mediating factor and alexithymia and its different dimensions as moderating factors, to further complement the psychological mechanisms between CPA and depression among college students.

METHODS

A self-report survey was conducted on 625 college students from two universities in Hunan Province, China. The survey included CPA, internet addiction, alexithymia, and depression. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed on these variables, and a moderated mediation model was constructed.

RESULTS

CPA is positively correlated with depression, internet addiction, and alexithymia among college students. Internet addiction partially mediates the relationship between CPA and depression among college students, while alexithymia enhances the relationship between CPA and internet addiction as well as depression among college students. The moderating effect of the different dimensions of alexithymia is inconsistent, with the modulation effect of difficulty in identifying feelings being the strongest.

CONCLUSION

This study further elucidates the psychological mechanisms between CPA and depression among college students. Internet addiction serves as a mediating factor, while alexithymia may strengthen the relationship between CPA and internet addiction, as well as between CPA and depression.

The Association Between Child Abuse and Internet Addiction: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis

Child abuse is an important factor for Internet addiction. Despite numerous researches had observed there was a positive correlation between child abuse and Internet addiction, the strength of this association differed considerably in the previous studies. This study aims to obtain reliable estimates for effect sizes and investigate the potential moderator of the association between child abuse and Internet addiction. Thirty-one studies reported the association between child abuse and Internet addiction (273 effect sizes and 55,585 participants) through a systematic literature search. Based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis approach, a three-level model was employed to conduct a three-level meta-analysis. The current meta-analysis found that child abuse was significantly positively correlated with Internet addiction. Besides, the study found that the type of child abuse and publication year had significant moderating effects on the association between child abuse and Internet addiction. This study suggested child abuse was a risk factor for Internet addiction. Moreover, child abuse is an essential factor should be considered when strengthening interventions for individuals' Internet addiction.

The relationship between childhood psychological abuse and depression in college students: a moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Childhood psychological abuse (CPA) are highly correlated with depression among college students, but the underlying mechanisms between variables need further exploration. This study aims to investigate internet addiction as a mediating factor and alexithymia as a moderating factor, in order to further elucidate the potential risk factors between CPA and depression among college students.

METHODS

A self-report survey was conducted among 1196 college students from four universities in three provinces in China. The survey included measures of CPA, internet addiction, alexithymia, and depression. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed on these variables, and a moderated mediation model was constructed.

RESULTS

CPA was positively correlated with depression among college students, as well as internet addiction with alexithymia. Internet addiction partially mediated the relationship between CPA and depression among college students, while alexithymia strengthened the relationships among the paths in the moderated mediation model.

CONCLUSION

This study provides further insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between CPA and depression among college students. Internet addiction serves as a mediating factor in this relationship, while alexithymia may enhance the strength of the relationships among the three variables.

The relationship between childhood psychological abuse and depression in college students: a moderated mediation model

Background

Childhood psychological abuse (CPA) are highly correlated with depression among college students, but the underlying mechanisms between variables need further exploration. This study aims to investigate internet addiction as a mediating factor and alexithymia as a moderating factor, in order to further elucidate the potential risk factors between CPA and depression among college students.

Methods

A self-report survey was conducted among 1196 college students from four universities in three provinces in China. The survey included measures of CPA, internet addiction, alexithymia, and depression. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed on these variables, and a moderated mediation model was constructed.

Results

CPA was positively correlated with depression among college students, as well as internet addiction with alexithymia. Internet addiction partially mediated the relationship between CPA and depression among college students, while alexithymia strengthened the relationships among the paths in the moderated mediation model.

Conclusion

This study provides further insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between CPA and depression among college students. Internet addiction serves as a mediating factor in this relationship, while alexithymia may enhance the strength of the relationships among the three variables.

The relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction in adolescents: A meta-analysis

Objective

Many studies have explored the relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction from different theoretical perspectives; however, the results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP electronic databases were searched to identify studies examining the correlation between childhood trauma and adolescent internet addiction. The databases were searched from inception to December 31, 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. Then, Stata 17.0 software was used to perform meta-analysis.

Results

This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023388699). A total of 19 studies involving 21,398 adolescents were included in this meta-analysis. The random effects model was used for pooled analysis, and the results revealed a strong positive association between childhood trauma and internet addiction (r = 0.395, 95% CI [0.345, 0.442]). The relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction was moderated by sample size, survey area, and internet addiction measurement tools. There were significant differences between the associations based on the various child trauma measurement tools and study quality scores. However, interstudy heterogeneity was not significantly affected by study year, sample source, or participant age.

Conclusion

Internet addiction is positively correlated with childhood trauma. Therefore, it is extremely important for parents to provide a good growth environment during childhood to enhance the physical and mental development of adolescents. A warm family atmosphere helps individuals develop a healthy personality, thereby reducing or preventing the occurrence of internet addiction. Due to the limited number and low quality of the included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by additional high-quality studies.

Adverse childhood experiences predict internet gaming disorder in university students: the mediating role of resilience

BACKGROUND

To investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and internet gaming disorder (IGD) and the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between these two factors.

METHODS

The adverse childhood experience scale, resilience scale and IGD Scale were administered to 9349 university students. Correlations and mediating effects were calculated among these scores.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex and age, significant correlations among adverse childhood experiences, resilience and IGD were observed; resilience was a partial mediator variable in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and IGD.

CONCLUSIONS

The more adverse childhood experiences an individual has, the less their mental toughness and the greater their tendency to become addicted to internet games. Adverse childhood experiences can effectively predict IGD, and the risk of becoming addicted to the internet can be decreased by increasing one's mental toughness.

Influence of childhood trauma on adolescent internet addiction: The mediating roles of loneliness and negative coping styles

BACKGROUND

In the information age, the use of the internet and multimedia tools has large effects on the life of middle school students. Improper use of the internet may result in internet addiction (IA). Thus, actively exploring the factors influencing adolescent and the mechanism of addiction as well as promoting adolescent physical and mental health and academic development are priorities that families, schools, and society urgently need to address.

AIM

To explore the effect of childhood trauma on adolescent IA and to consider the roles of loneliness and negative coping styles.

METHODS

A total of 11310 students from six junior high schools in Henan, China, completed the child trauma questionnaire, IA test, loneliness scale, and simple coping style questionnaire. In addition, data were collected from 1044 adolescents with childhood trauma for analysis with IBM SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 28.0; we examined the relationships among childhood trauma, IA, loneliness, and negative coping styles.

RESULTS

We found that childhood trauma not only directly affected adolescents' IA but also affected IA through loneliness and negative coping styles.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, this study has theoretical implications regarding adolescent mental health and may inform interventions for IA.

The association between traumatic experiences and substance and behavioral addictions in late adolescence: A role for PTSD and cPTSD as potential mediators

BACKGROUND & AIM

Traumatic experiences (TEs) are a risk factor for behavioral and substance addictions (SBAs). However, the role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (cPTSD) deserves further elucidation. The present study assesses the association between different types of TEs on cannabis, alcohol, gambling, and problematic internet use in late adolescents. Furthermore, this study aims at evaluating the role of PTSD and cPTSD as potential mediators.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on one thousand ten late adolescents (510 males, 498 females; age: mean = 18.7, SD = 0.65). Data regarding intentional (iTEs) and unintentional TEs (uTEs), cannabis, alcohol, gambling and problematic use of the internet (PIU), PTSD, and cPTSD were collected. Association between TEs, SBAs, and PTSD/cPTSD symptoms were explored by means of logistic regressions. Mediation was assessed using a path analysis.

RESULTS

uTEs were associated with cannabis use (OR = 1.34 [1.13,1.59]) and alcohol use (OR = 1.21 [1.10,1.35]), iTEs were associated with cannabis use (OR = 1.15 [1.06,1.25]), alcohol use (OR = 1.08 [1.02,1.13]), and PIU (OR = 1.17 [1.10,1.24]). PTSD was associated with alcohol use (OR = 1.59 [1.03,2.46]) and PIU (OR = 1.92 [1.18,3.13]). cPTSD was associated with cannabis use (OR = 3.54 [1.56,8.04]) and PIU (OR = 5.13 [2.71,9.70]). cPTSD mediated 58.75% of the total effect of iTEs on cannabis. Regarding PIU, PTSD mediated 68.18% of the effect of uTEs; the effect of iTEs on PIU was mediated by 65.5% via cPTSD and 34.45% via PTSD.

CONCLUSION

cPTSD and SBAs show a complex pattern of association. A thorough assessment of stress-related conditions, including cPTSD, is of pivotal importance in treating SBAs.

Video game addiction in psychiatric adolescent population: A hospital-based study on the role of individualism from South China

BACKGROUND

For decades, video game-related behaviors have been investigated in different psychologic research, much of whose attention has been paid to video game addiction (VGA), while the differences between VGA and social media addiction (SMA) should have deserved more attention. In addition to detecting common risk factors of VGA, one core question is whether social inclination (individualism or collectivism) matters.

OBJECT

The objectives of this study were to clarify the prevalence of VGA and SMA,, identify the influencing factors of VGA, and clarify the relationships between VGA and adolescents' individualism-collectivism inclination.

METHOD

The survey was conducted among 110 adolescent psychiatric patients. For each interviewee, psychological scales were filled face to face. Path analysis was used to examine the causation structure of the childhood trauma-related symptoms.

RESULT

The prevalence of VGA was 40.9% (45 out of 110), and it was 41.8% for SMA (46 out of 110); childhood trauma, social media addiction, the individualistic inclination, and the rate of homosexuality were observed to be independent indicators for video game addiction (r2  = 0.46).

CONCLUSION

Psychological counseling on patients' internet-related behaviors may focus on the individualistic personality and possible childhood trauma, which are two important risk factors of video game addiction. It is recommended to distinguish between video game addiction and social addiction in clinical practice.

Physical activity reduces internet addiction among "post-00" college students: The mediating role of coping styles

Objective

To explore the role of coping styles (CS) in mediating the relationship between physical activity (PA) and internet addiction (IA), and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of IA among Chinese "post-00" college students.

Methods

A total of 410 university students from five universities in Anhui Province were surveyed using the Chinese Internet addiction scale, the Coping Styles Scale for Chinese University Students, and the International Physical Activity Scale Short Form.

Results

(1) Boys are better than girls in PA. However, there was no significant difference between male and female students on CS and IA. (2) PA was positively correlated with CS (r = 0.278, p < 0.01), PA was negatively correlated with IA (r = -0.236, p < 0.01), CS was negatively correlated with IA (r = -0.560, p < 0.01). (3) PA was negatively predicted IA (B = -0.198, p < 0.01), PA was positively predicted CS (B = 0.986, p < 0.01), CS was negatively predicted IA (B = -0.065, p < 0.01). (4) CS plays a partially mediating role between PA and IA, with a mediating effect proportion of 48.33%.

Conclusion

PA can improve IA not only directly for university students, but also indirectly by increasing CS. The intervention for IA of "post-00" college students can start by increasing PA and improving CS.