Past research suggests that up to 18 percent of teens are addicted to the Internet. Internet addiction is a relatively new psychiatric diagnosis being considered for the 5th edition of the mental health manual, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Now research reports that teens with psychiatric problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression may be more likely to develop an Internet addiction.
The study, published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, investigated the association between ADHD and other psychiatric symptoms with Internet addiction in adolescents. Researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Taiwan surveyed 2.203 seventh grade students in Taiwan for 2 years. Self-reported questionnaires were assessed for Internet addiction by the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS). Signs of internet addiction include using the Internet so much that it interferes with everyday life and decision-making ability.
The researchers found that 10.8 percent of teens were classified as having Internet addiction. ADHD and hostility were linked to internet addiction in the adolescents. However, depression and social phobia were also predicted problems for girls. Furthermore, boys and those who used the Internet daily or for more than 20 hours per week were at a higher risk of Internet addiction.
"These results suggest that ADHD, hostility, depression and social phobia should be detected early on and intervention carried out to prevent Internet addiction in adolescents," the study authors conclude. "Also, sex differences in psychiatric comorbidity should be taken into consideration when developing prevention and intervention strategies for Internet addiction."
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