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International Journal of Public Health

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01-02-2015 | Original Article

Excessive internet use in European adolescents: What determines differences in severity?

Authors: Lukas Blinka, Kateřina Škařupová, Anna Ševčíková, Klaus Wölfling, Kai W. Müller, Michael Dreier

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

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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Title: Excessive internet use in European adolescents: What determines differences in severity?
Authors: Lukas Blinka
Kateřina Škařupová
Anna Ševčíková
Klaus Wölfling
Kai W. Müller
Michael Dreier
Publication date: 01-02-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0635-x

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Excessive internet use in European adolescents: What determines differences in severity?

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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