TY - JOUR
PY - 2014//
TI - Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours
JO - European child and adolescent psychiatry
A1 - Kaess, Michael
A1 - Durkee, Tony
A1 - Brunner, Romuald
A1 - Carli, Vladimir
A1 - Parzer, Peter
A1 - Wasserman, Camilla
A1 - Sarchiapone, Marco
A1 - Hoven, Christina
A1 - Apter, Alan
A1 - Balazs, Judit
A1 - Balint, Maria
A1 - Bobes, Julio
A1 - Cohen, Renaud
A1 - Cosman, Doina
A1 - Cotter, Pádraig
A1 - Fischer, Gloria
A1 - Floderus, Birgitta
A1 - Iosue, Miriam
A1 - Haring, Christian
A1 - Kahn, Jean-Pierre
A1 - Musa, George J.
A1 - Nemes, Bogdan
A1 - Postuvan, Vita
A1 - Resch, Franz
A1 - Saiz, Pilar A.
A1 - Sisask, Merike
A1 - Snir, Avigal
A1 - Värnik, Airi
A1 - Ziberna, Janina
A1 - Wasserman, Danuta
SP - 1093
EP - 1102
VL - 23
IS - 11
N2 - 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.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1018-8827 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0562-7 ID - ref1 ER -