Internet addiction and its correlation with behavioral problems and functional impairments – A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) among adolescents, as well as characterize behaviors that are considered to be a risk in this population regarding the use and addiction of the Internet. Methods In this cross-sectional study conducted in one public and one private school 91 adolescents, aged 12 to 16 years old, responded the Internet Addiction Test – Brazilian version (IAT) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results The prevalence of internet addiction found was 21%, with no difference between private and public schools. On the group dependent on the Internet, there was a statistically significant correlation with Anxiety/Depression, Withdrawn/Depression, Rule Breaking Behavior and Aggressive Behavior, as well as the syndrome scales Social Problems, Thought Problems and Attention Problems. Conclusion Our study provides evidence of a relationship between internet addiction and behavioral problems among adolescents. As this is a cross-sectional study, we consider that future research is necessary to corroborate our results.

摘要 研究目的：评估青少年网络成瘾（internet addiction, IA）的患病率，并刻画该人群中与互联网使用及成瘾相关的风险行为特征。方法：本研究为横断面研究，在1所公立学校与1所私立学校中开展，共纳入91名12至16岁的青少年，受试者完成了巴西版网络成瘾量表（Internet Addiction Test, IAT）与儿童行为量表（Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL）。结果：本次研究检出的网络成瘾患病率为21%，公立学校与私立学校之间未发现显著差异。在网络成瘾群体中，其相关指标与焦虑/抑郁、退缩/抑郁、违纪行为及攻击行为均存在统计学意义上的显著相关，同时与社会问题、思维问题及注意问题等综合征分量表也存在显著关联。结论：本研究证实青少年网络成瘾与行为问题之间存在关联。鉴于本研究为横断面研究，未来仍需开展相关研究以佐证本次研究结果。