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Open Access 01-11-2014 | Original Contribution

Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours

Authors: Michael Kaess, Tony Durkee, Romuald Brunner, Vladimir Carli, Peter Parzer, Camilla Wasserman, Marco Sarchiapone, Christina Hoven, Alan Apter, Judit Balazs, Maria Balint, Julio Bobes, Renaud Cohen, Doina Cosman, Padraig Cotter, Gloria Fischer, Birgitta Floderus, Miriam Iosue, Christian Haring, Jean-Pierre Kahn, George J. Musa, Bogdan Nemes, Vita Postuvan, Franz Resch, Pilar A. Saiz, Merike Sisask, Avigal Snir, Airi Varnik, Janina Žiberna, Danuta Wasserman

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 11/2014

Abstract

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.

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Title: Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours
Authors: Michael Kaess
Tony Durkee
Romuald Brunner
Vladimir Carli
Peter Parzer
Camilla Wasserman
Marco Sarchiapone
Christina Hoven
Alan Apter
Judit Balazs
Maria Balint
Julio Bobes
Renaud Cohen
Doina Cosman
Padraig Cotter
Gloria Fischer
Birgitta Floderus
Miriam Iosue
Christian Haring
Jean-Pierre Kahn
George J. Musa
Bogdan Nemes
Vita Postuvan
Franz Resch
Pilar A. Saiz
Merike Sisask
Avigal Snir
Airi Varnik
Janina Žiberna
Danuta Wasserman
Publication date: 01-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0562-7

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Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours

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