Internet addiction in adolescent psychiatric patient population: A hospital-based Study from China

Abstract

Background

Internet is gradually reshaping adolescents’ behaviors in China. It is important to identify the prevalence and risk factors to predict Internet addiction among adolescent psychiatric patients.

Methods

The survey was conducted among inpatient or outpatient adolescent patients with mental disorders. All participants were interviewed face-to-face and completed Young Internet Addiction Test and other relevant assessments. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to exam between-group differences of internet addiction.

Result

The prevalence for internet addiction (mild to severe) in adolescent psychiatric patients was 80.2%, where the prevalence for “medium and severe internet addiction was 25.5%. Logistic regression analysis identified two independent predictors for “medium and severe internet addiction” including the total score of Adolescent Non-suicidal-self-injury (NSSI) Behavior Function Assessment Scale (ANBFAS) and the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (R² =0.27, p = .02 for total ANBFAS score, p = .01 for GAD) in psychiatric adolescent patients.

Conclusion

The prevalence of internet addiction is notably high among adolescent psychiatric patients in China. Coping for Internet addiction in adolescent psychiatric patients should conclude the coping of NSSI and GAD.