J Adolesc Health. 2016 Jun 3. pii: S1054-139X(16)30037-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.04.009. [
Kaess M1, Parzer P2, Brunner R2, Koenig J3, Durkee T4, Carli V4, Wasserman C5, Hoven CW6, Sarchiapone M7, Bobes J8, Cosman D9, Värnik A10, Resch F2, Wasserman D4.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Increased Internet accessibility has been accompanied by an increased awareness of pathological Internet use (PIU). The aim of the study was to investigate a potential increase of PIU among European adolescents.
METHODS:
Comparable data from two large cross-sectional multicentre, school-based studies conducted in 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 in five European countries (Estonia, Germany, Italy, Romania, and Spain) were used. The Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PIU.
RESULTS:
The comparison of the two samples provides evidence that the prevalence of PIU is on the rise (4.01%-6.87%, odds ratio = 1.69, p < .001) except in Germany. Comparison with data on Internet accessibility suggests that the rise in prevalence of adolescent PIU may be a consequence of increased Internet accessibility.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings are the first data to confirm the rise of PIU among European adolescents. They definitively warrant further efforts in the implementation and evaluation of preventive interventions.
Copyright © 2016 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Adolescents; Internet addiction; Pathological Internet use; Prevalence; SEYLE; WE-STAY
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