Cited by 298Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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

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Kaess, Michael, Durkee, Tony, Brunner, Romuald, Carli, Vladimir, Parzer, Peter, Wasserman, Camilla, Sarchiapone, Marco, Hoven, Christina +22 more·2014·European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

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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  • Suicide attempts were positively associated with Pathological Internet Use in stepwise regression (coefficient 0.552, 95% CI 0.207-0.896, P=0.002).

    “and stepwise regression (coefficient 0.552, 95% CI 0.207- 0.896, P =0.002)”

    From Social media, internet use and suicide attempts in adolescents (2019) · cites this paper as Kaess, 2014

  • Suicide attempts were positively associated with Pathological Internet Use in multilevel mixed-effects linear regression (coefficient 0.530, 95% CI 0.185-0.875, P=0.003).

    “Suicide attempts were positively associated with Pathological Internet Use in multilevel mixed-effects linear regression (coefficient 0.530, 95% CI 0.185 - 0.875, P =0.003)”

    From Social media, internet use and suicide attempts in adolescents (2019) · cites this paper as Kaess, 2014

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  1. [9]Young KS (1999) Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation and treatment. Innovations in clinical practice: a source book, vol 17, pp 19–31
  2. [29]Cecilia MR, Mazza M, Cenciarelli S, Grassi M, Cofini V (2013) The relationship between compulsive behaviour and internet addiction. Styles of Commun 5(1):24–31

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Authors
Kaess, M., Durkee, T., Brunner, R., Carli, V., Parzer, P., Wasserman, C., Sarchiapone, M., Hoven, C., Apter, A., Balazs, J., Balint, M., Bobes, J., Cohen, R., Cosman, D., Cotter, P., Fischer, G., Floderus, B., Iosue, M., Haring, C., Kahn, J.-P., Musa, G. J., Nemes, B., Postuvan, V., Resch, F., Saiz, P. A., Sisask, M., Snir, A., Varnik, A., Žiberna, J., & Wasserman, D.
Affiliations
  • Heidelberg University (DE)
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
  • University of Molise (IT)
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
  • Tel Aviv University (IL)
  • Universidad de Oviedo (ES)
  • Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Nancy (FR)
  • Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
  • Columbia University (US)
  • Tallinn University (EE)
  • University of Primorska (SI)
Corresponding author
Wasserman, Danuta
Venue
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Published
2014-06-03
Volume
23
Issue
11
Pages
1093-1102
ISSN
  • 1018-8827 (ISSN-L)
  • 1435-165X
OpenAlex
W2070135319
Cited by
298
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 2
FWCI
55.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • Consultation of the Doctoral Thesis Database (TESEO) (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • ELTE Digital Institutional Repository (EDIT) (Eötvös Loránd University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi del Molise (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • European Commission (223091)
  • Karolinska Institutet
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords
internet addiction, adolescents, psychopathology, self-destructive behaviour, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, depression, anxiety, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, gender differences, cross-national comparison, suicide rates, socio-cultural influences
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Europe, Female, Humans, Male, Psychopathology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Suicide, Attempted, Self-Injurious Behavior, Behavior, Addictive, Conduct Disorder, Internet, Suicidal Ideation

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