ABSTRACT
The internet has been a breakthrough for adolescents in many ways, but its use can also become dysfunctional and problematic, leading to consequences for personal well-being. The main objective is to analyze profiles related to problematic internet use and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). An analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in a region of northern Spain. The sample comprised 12,285 participants. Sampling was random and representative. Mean age and standard deviation was 14.69 ± 1.73 (11-18 years). The Spanish versions of the Problematic and Generalized Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) and of the Health-Related Quality of Life (KIDSCREEN-27) were used. Four profiles were detected (non-problematic use, mood regulator, problematic internet use, and severe problematic use). The prevalence of these last two profiles was 18.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Problematic internet use correlated negatively and significantly with HRQoL. The severe problematic use profile presented a significant decrease in all dimensions of HRQoL. Analyses were carried out to extract a diagnostic cut-off point for GPIUS2 (52 points). The results and practical implications are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Behavior, Addictive , Internet , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Personal Satisfaction , Prevalence , SpainABSTRACT
This study describes the construction and validation process of two questionnaires designed to assess the addictive use of Internet and mobile phones. The scales were applied to a sample of 1,879 students. Results support a two-factor model, presenting an acceptable internal consistency and indices of convergent and discriminant validity. The Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Internet was found to assess intra- and interpersonal conflicts related to Internet use. The Questionnaire of Experiences Related to the Mobile Phone was found to assess conflicts related to mobile phone abuse and to maladaptive emotional and communicational patterns. Our results indicate that the mobile phone does not produce the same degree of addictive behavior as Internet; it could rather be interpreted as problematic use. Men displayed more addictive use of Internet, whilst women seemed to use the mobile phone as a means for emotional communication. It seems that the use of both technologies is more problematic during adolescence and normalizes with age toward a more professional and less playful use, and with fewer negative consequences.
Subject(s)
Behavior, Addictive/diagnosis , Cell Phone , Internet , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Young AdultABSTRACT
Se construyeron dos cuestionarios para evaluar el uso adictivo de Internet y del móvil que se aplicaron a una muestra de 1.879 estudiantes. Los resultados apoyan un modelo de dos factores, con una aceptable consistencia interna e indicios de validez convergente y discriminante. El Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con Internet evaluó conflictos intra e interpersonales relacionados con el uso de Internet. El Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con Móvil evaluó dos factores: primero, conflictos relacionados con el abuso del móvil, y segundo, problemas debido al uso emocional y comunicacional.Nuestros resultados indican que el móvil no produce el mismo grado de adicción; más bien se puede hablar de uso problemático. Los hombres presentaron un uso más adictivo de Internet, mientras las mujeres se caracterizaron por usar el móvil como medio para expresar y comunicar las emociones.Parece que el uso de ambas tecnologías es más problemático en la adolescencia y se normaliza con la edad, hacia un uso más profesional, menos lúdico y con menos consecuencias negativas (AU)
This study describes the construction and validation process of two questionnaires designed to assess the addictive use of Internet and mobile phones. The scales were applied to a sample of 1,879 students. Results support a two-factor model, presenting an acceptable internal consistency and indices of convergent and discriminant validity. The Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Internet was found to assess intra- and interpersonal conflicts related to Internet use. The Questionnaire of Experiences Related to the Mobile Phone was found to assess conflicts related to mobile phone abuse and to maladaptive emotional and communicational patterns. Our results indicate that the mobile phone does not produce the same degree of addictive behavior as Internet; it could rather be interpreted as problematic use.Men displayed more addictive use of Internet, whilst women seemed to use the mobile phone as a means for emotional communication. It seems that the use of both technologies is more problematic during adolescence and normalizes with age toward a more professional and less playful use, and with fewer negative consequences (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Internet , Cell Phone , Surveys and Questionnaires , Behavior, Addictive/diagnosisABSTRACT
Las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) generan profundos cambios en nuestra sociedad. Como esta influencia esespecialmente notable en los adolescentes, se hace imprescindible describir posibles desadaptaciones para evaluar el impacto en eldesarrollo psicosocial, concretamente en el proceso de socialización y adquisición de la identidad personal. Así mismo no cabe dudade la importancia de implicar en la prevención a los agentes socializadores- en tanto que personas significativas- porque estádemostrada su influencia en los usos que hace el adolescente de las TIC, especialmente de Internet, móvil y videojuegos. Se proporcionanorientaciones preventivas. Se concluye haciendo hincapié en la necesidad de definir criterios diagnósticos sobre el comportamientoadictivo y promoción de hábitos saludables, especialmente en la adolescencia
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) produces deep changes in our society. As this influence is particularly remarkablein adolescents, the description of possible misadjustments is essential to assess the impact on psychosocial development, especially inthe process of socialization and personal identity acquisition. Likewise, it is also important to involve socializing agents as they aresignificant people- in prevention, because their influence on the adolescents use of ICT, particularly Internet, mobile phone, andvideogames, has been proven. Some preventive guidance is provided. In conclusion, we stress the need to define diagnostic criteriaabout addictive behaviour and promotion of healthy habits, especially in adolescence
