Findings on the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults

André Luiz Monezi Andrade; Adriana Scatena; André Bedendo; Sonia Regina Fiorim Enumo; Letícia Lovato Dellazzana-Zanon; Helena Bazanelli Prebianchi; Wagner de Lara Machado; Denise de Micheli

doi:10.1002/ijop.12670

Findings on the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults

André Luiz Monezi Andrade, Adriana Scatena, André Bedendo, Sonia Regina Fiorim Enumo, Letícia Lovato Dellazzana-Zanon, Helena Bazanelli Prebianchi, Wagner de Lara Machado, Denise de Micheli

Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and its association with negative psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults. A network analysis was conducted to estimate specific variables and their expected influence on IA. In this cross-sectional study, 15,476 adults (Mage = 37.5, SD = 9.59) completed an open web-based survey. Three questionnaires were used: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Based on IAT scores, participants were classified as No-Risk user (NRU), Low-Risk user (LRU) or High-Risk user (HRU). We observed that 4.8% of the participants were classified in the HRU group. In addition, their risk for severe symptoms of depression was 10 times higher and, for anxiety, seven times higher than that in the NRU group (p < .001). Time spent using smartphones was also significantly higher in the HRU group (Mhours = 5.1, p < .001). The main factors associated with IA were depression, gender and anxiety, but the variable "having children" was the most influential in the IA network. These findings suggest that psychiatric symptoms are the main factors associated with IA among the adult population.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	941-950
Number of pages	10
Journal	INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY
Volume	55
Issue number	6
Early online date	7 Apr 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12670
Publication status	Published - 18 Nov 2020

Keywords

Adult
Behavior, Addictive/diagnosis
Brazil
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Internet Addiction Disorder/diagnosis
Male
Prevalence
Risk Factors

Access to Document

10.1002/ijop.12670

Cite this

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title = "Findings on the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults",

abstract = "This study evaluated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and its association with negative psychological symptoms in Brazilian adults. A network analysis was conducted to estimate specific variables and their expected influence on IA. In this cross-sectional study, 15,476 adults (Mage = 37.5, SD = 9.59) completed an open web-based survey. Three questionnaires were used: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Based on IAT scores, participants were classified as No-Risk user (NRU), Low-Risk user (LRU) or High-Risk user (HRU). We observed that 4.8% of the participants were classified in the HRU group. In addition, their risk for severe symptoms of depression was 10 times higher and, for anxiety, seven times higher than that in the NRU group (p < .001). Time spent using smartphones was also significantly higher in the HRU group (Mhours = 5.1, p < .001). The main factors associated with IA were depression, gender and anxiety, but the variable {"}having children{"} was the most influential in the IA network. These findings suggest that psychiatric symptoms are the main factors associated with IA among the adult population.",

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AU - Andrade, André Luiz Monezi

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AU - Bedendo, André

AU - Enumo, Sonia Regina Fiorim

AU - Dellazzana-Zanon, Letícia Lovato

AU - Prebianchi, Helena Bazanelli

AU - de Lara Machado, Wagner

AU - de Micheli, Denise

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