scholarly journals A descriptive pilot survey of behavioural addictions in an adolescent secondary school population in Ireland

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
David Columb ◽  
Eoghan Keegan ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths ◽  
Colin O’Gara
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Gaming Addiction ◽  
Gambling Addiction ◽  
School Population ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Behavioural Addictions

Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of possible internet addiction, gaming addiction, gambling addiction and associated mental health difficulties in a secondary school population in Ireland. Methods: An online survey containing questions related to internet addiction, gaming addiction, gambling addiction and associated mental health difficulties was administered to secondary school adolescents in Ireland. Participants were self-selecting and answered questions on the characteristics of each topic and screening questionnaires for addiction to each behaviour, as well as their respective effects on mental health. Results: A total of 234 children participated in the survey (156 males; aged 12–18 years; average age of 14.2 years; S.D. 1.60). Internet addiction as assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale was present for between 11.5% and 22.6% and levels of gaming addiction as assessed using by the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form was present for between 0.5% and 1.6%. Weak positive correlations were found between time spent on the internet and time spent gaming with internet addiction and gaming addiction, respectively. There were weak positive correlations between higher internet addiction scores, higher gaming addiction scores, and increased depression and anxiety scores. Using the South Oaks Gambling Screen–Revised for Adolescents, two participants were classed as ‘at-risk’ for gambling addiction and one participant was classed as a problem gambler. Conclusions: The present study examined behavioural addictions and their effects on mental health on a self-selecting sample of schoolchildren at two schools in Ireland. A low number were identified as being at risk or problem gamblers.

scholarly journals Internet Addiction among Secondary School Students in Klang Valley, Malaysia: What is the Association with Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety Symptoms, and SelfEsteem?

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Aziz M ◽  
Wan Ismail WS ◽  
Bahar N ◽  
Mahadevan R ◽  
Azhar Shah S
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Klang Valley

Introduction: Internet addiction is becoming a global problem and has been associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. There is a strong need for local research, given the recent rise of mental health issues amongst children and adolescents in Malaysia, as well as lack of research in this field locally. Methods: This study assessed the prevalence of internet addiction, and its association with internetrelated factors, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem, amongst selected secondary school students in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. In a cross-sectional study, 199 adolescents were conveniently chosen from six randomly selected secondary schools within Klang Valley. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, as well as Malay versions of the Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 anxiety subscale (DASS-21) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results: This study found that 49.2% of students were addicted to the internet. Significant factors associated with internet addiction were spending longer hours online during the holidays (OR 1.20, CI 1.01-1.35), easy access to a computer (OR 4.01, CI 1.50 - 10.76), confiding on the internet (OR 4.07, CI 1.49-11.13), severe level of anxiety (OR 3.63, CI 1.04-12.73) and high depression scores (OR 1.10, CI 1.01-1.20). Contrary to previous studies, self-esteem was not found to be significantly associated with internet addiction. Conclusion: This study has important implications in relation to clinical practice, research, and policy-making in Malaysia.

A Study of Internet Addiction and Its Effects on the Mental Health of Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Yoosefi Lebni ◽  
Razie Toghroli ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Behzad Mahaki ◽  
Hadi Darvishi Gilan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
University Students ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Statistical Population

Abstract Background: The internet itself is a harmless technology. However, its overuse and misuse will expose its users to internet addiction. On the other hand, diagnosis of students’mental dysfunction is of prime importance, and their progress and academic success in the future can be prevented by this technology if not properly handled. Methods: In this descriptive and correlational study, the statistical population consisted of all students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, of which 447 students studying in the first and second semesters of the academic year 2017-18 were selected through Cochran's Sample Size Formula and Stratified Random Sampling. As for data collection, the Young's Internet addiction Test (IAT) and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were utilized. Moreover, for data analysis, the descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis) were employed in the environment of SPSS Statistical Software Version 23.0. Results: The results of the present study demonstrated that the total mean score of students’ internet addiction and mental health measured 3.81±0.88 and 2.56±0.33, respectively. The results also indicated that internet addiction correlared positively with depression whereas negatively with mental health (P<0.001). Besides, the results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the five major predictors of vulnerability to internet addictionin university students were as follows: the key reason for using the internet, faculty, depression, the main place for using the internet, and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that students’ excessive use of the internet leads to depression, anxiety, and reduced mental health, thereby affecting their academic performance. Hence, it is suggested that further monitoring and control be exercised on how the internet is used by university students, and they should be informed of the detrimental effects of this technology in the case of misuse or overuse.

scholarly journals Preliminary development of the social media disinformation scale (SMDS-12) and its association with social media addiction and mental health: COVID-19 as a pilot case study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noomen Guelmami ◽  
Maher ben Khalifa ◽  
Nasr Chalghaf ◽  
Jude Dzevela Kong ◽  
Tannoubi Amayra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Wide Range

BACKGROUND In recent years, online disinformation has increased. An infodemic has spread around the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January 2020, the culprits and antidotes to disinformation have been digital and social media. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to develop and test the psychometric properties of the SMDS-12 measurement scale which assesses the consumption, confidence, and sharing of information related to covid-19 by social media users. METHODS A total of 874 subjects recruited over two exploratory (n = 179, Mean age = 29.34, SD = 7.98) and confirmatory (n = 695, Mean age = 31.22, SD = 11.63) periods, completed thesocial media disinformation scale (SMDS-12),the Internet addiction test (IAT), the COVID-19 fear scale, and the perceived stress questionnaire.The 12-item scale (SMDS-12 ) was initially tested by exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS The test supported the three-dimensional structure, in addition, no items were removed from the measurement scale. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the robustness of the measure by referring to a wide range of goodness-of-fit indices that met the recommended standards. The reliability of the instrument examined by means of three internal consistency indices demonstrated that the three dimensions of the instrument are reliable.The correlation between the instrument's dimensions with the internet addiction scale and mental health factors showed positive associations. CONCLUSIONS The scale is eligible for measuring the credibility of disinformation and can be adapted to measure the credibility of social media disinformation in other contexts.

scholarly journals Young People’s Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
David Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

BACKGROUND Young people frequently make use of the internet as part of their day-to-day activities, and this has extended to their help-seeking behavior. Offline help-seeking is known to be impeded by a number of barriers including stigma and a preference for self-reliance. Online help-seeking may offer an additional domain where young people can seek help for mental health difficulties without being encumbered by these same barriers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine young peoples’ online help-seeking behaviors for mental health concerns. It aimed to summarize young peoples’ experiences and identify benefits and limitations of online help-seeking for this age group. It also examined the theoretical perspectives that have been applied to understand online help-seeking. METHODS A systematic review of peer-reviewed research papers from the following major electronic databases was conducted: PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The search was conducted in August 2017. The narrative synthesis approach to reviews was used to analyze the existing evidence to answer the review questions. RESULTS Overall, 28 studies were included. The most common method of data collection was through the use of surveys. Study quality was moderate to strong. Text-based query via an internet search engine was the most commonly identified help-seeking approach. Social media, government or charity websites, live chat, instant messaging, and online communities were also used. Key benefits included anonymity and privacy, immediacy, ease of access, inclusivity, the ability to connect with others and share experiences, and a greater sense of control over the help-seeking journey. Online help-seeking has the potential to meet the needs of those with a preference for self-reliance or act as a gateway to further help-seeking. Barriers to help-seeking included a lack of mental health literacy, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, and uncertainty about the trustworthiness of online resources. Until now, there has been limited development and use of theoretical models to guide research on online help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS Approaches to improving help-seeking by young people should consider the role of the internet and online resources as an adjunct to offline help-seeking. This review identifies opportunities and challenges in this space. It highlights the limited use of theoretical frameworks to help conceptualize online help-seeking. <italic>Self-determination theory</italic> and the <italic>help-seeking model</italic> provide promising starting points for the development of online help-seeking theories. This review discusses the use of these theories to conceptualize online help-seeking and identify key motivations and tensions that may arise when young people seek help online.

scholarly journals Young People’s Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review

10.2196/13873 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. e13873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
David Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Background Young people frequently make use of the internet as part of their day-to-day activities, and this has extended to their help-seeking behavior. Offline help-seeking is known to be impeded by a number of barriers including stigma and a preference for self-reliance. Online help-seeking may offer an additional domain where young people can seek help for mental health difficulties without being encumbered by these same barriers. Objective The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine young peoples’ online help-seeking behaviors for mental health concerns. It aimed to summarize young peoples’ experiences and identify benefits and limitations of online help-seeking for this age group. It also examined the theoretical perspectives that have been applied to understand online help-seeking. Methods A systematic review of peer-reviewed research papers from the following major electronic databases was conducted: PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The search was conducted in August 2017. The narrative synthesis approach to reviews was used to analyze the existing evidence to answer the review questions. Results Overall, 28 studies were included. The most common method of data collection was through the use of surveys. Study quality was moderate to strong. Text-based query via an internet search engine was the most commonly identified help-seeking approach. Social media, government or charity websites, live chat, instant messaging, and online communities were also used. Key benefits included anonymity and privacy, immediacy, ease of access, inclusivity, the ability to connect with others and share experiences, and a greater sense of control over the help-seeking journey. Online help-seeking has the potential to meet the needs of those with a preference for self-reliance or act as a gateway to further help-seeking. Barriers to help-seeking included a lack of mental health literacy, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, and uncertainty about the trustworthiness of online resources. Until now, there has been limited development and use of theoretical models to guide research on online help-seeking. Conclusions Approaches to improving help-seeking by young people should consider the role of the internet and online resources as an adjunct to offline help-seeking. This review identifies opportunities and challenges in this space. It highlights the limited use of theoretical frameworks to help conceptualize online help-seeking. Self-determination theory and the help-seeking model provide promising starting points for the development of online help-seeking theories. This review discusses the use of these theories to conceptualize online help-seeking and identify key motivations and tensions that may arise when young people seek help online.

Mental health and the use of alcohol, tobacco, analgesics and vitamins in a secondary school population

1981 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Henderson ◽  
I. C. Lewis ◽  
R. H. Howell ◽  
K. J. Rayner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
School Population

Internet use among young people with and without mental health difficulties

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mullen ◽  
C. Dowling ◽  
G. O’Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Clinical Support ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

ObjectivesResearch regarding adolescent internet use and mental health is sparse. However, awareness of a young person’s internet use is becoming increasingly recognised as an important element of clinical assessment and intervention, and requires the development of an evidence base. The aim of the present study was to better understand the internet use of young people experiencing mental health difficulties and to contrast it with those who currently report no concerns.MethodIn total, 299 young people aged 12–19 years, across a continuum of mental health difficulties, completed an online survey measuring internet use and related experiences. Young people were assigned to four groups: (a) attending inpatient services; (b) attending outpatient services; (c) a community group with mental health concerns and no clinical support; and (d) a regular community group.ResultsThose in the inpatient and outpatient groups visited more potentially harmful websites. Young people attending inpatient and outpatient services showed aspects of both more risky and less risky use. The community group reporting no mental health difficulties showed least risky use. The group experiencing difficulties but not receiving support showed consistently high risky use, suggesting this is a particularly vulnerable group.ConclusionsDespite methodological limitations, findings suggest that those with mental health difficulties may experience more of the risks and fewer of the benefits offered by the internet. Though further research is needed to clarify these findings, clinicians should consider routine assessment of Internet use when planning interventions for young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Determining the relation between the internet addiction in Turkish secondary school students and the perceived family support

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S441-S442
Author(s):  
I. Işık ◽  
G. Ergün
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
The Internet ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Family

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to determine the relation between the internet addiction levels of secondary school students and the perceived family support.MethodsThe study was conducted in the cross-sectional and descriptive design, and the data were collected from 3391 students who were studying at 5th and 7th grades at 23 secondary schools in the city of Burdur and its central villages. The Personal Information Form, the Internet Addiction Scale, and the Social Support Received from the Family Scale were used to collect the data. The data were collected between the dates 15.11.2013 and 15.01.2014. After the necessary explanations were made to the students, the informed consent form were sent to their parents/legal guardians, and the students who returned these forms were included in the study. The numbers, percentages, average values, and standard deviation, which are among the descriptive statistical methods, were used in evaluating the data. The Pearson correlation and regression analysis were applied between the continuous variables of the study.ResultsIt was observed in the study that 4.6% of the students had internet addiction at pathological level. The factors that influenced the internet addiction were determined as the social support received from the family, being male, low school success, weekly allowance being high, studying at senior grades, and going online frequently.ConclusionsWhen the study results are analyzed it is observed that the internet addiction in secondary school students in our country is at a rate that has to be taken seriously.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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