Internet Addiction Is Related to Attention Deficit but Not Hyperactivity in a Sample of High School Students (2014)

Abstract Objective: To assess the effects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom dimensions on Internet addiction (IA) after controlling for Internet usage features among high school students. Methods: This study consisted of 640 students (331 females, 309 males) ranging from 14 to 19 years of age. The Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), the Conners-Wells’ Adolescents Self-Report Scale-Short (CASS-S) and a personal information form were completed by the participants. Statistical analyses were conducted for both sexesand the total sample. Results: According to the logistic regression analysis, attention deficit and playing online games were significant predictors of IA in both sexes. Other predictors of IA included: behavioural problems for females, total weekly Internet usage time, and lifelong total Internet use for males. Hyperactivity and other Internet usage features did not predict IA. Conclusion: These results suggest that attention deficit and playing online games are important determinants of IA in this age group.