Personal risk factors of internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years

• Published in: Analiz riska zdorovʹi͡u no. 3; pp. 21 - 29
• Main Authors: Kocherova, O.Yu, Filkina, O.M., Boboshko, A.V., Vorobyova, E.A., Dolotova, N.V., Malyshkina, A.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-09-2024
• ISSN: 2308-1155; 2308-1163
• DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2024.3.03

Internet addiction formation and manifestations are a relevant trend in contemporary research. It is important to identify adolescents who have risk of developing Internet addiction so that early interventions can be made and certain impacts can be exerted on personal characteristics that contribute to formation of persistent addictive behavior able to affect health. The aim of this study was to establish personal risk factors of developing Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A comprehensive study was carried out on 407 adolescents aged 15–17 years who attended comprehensive secondary schools in Ivanovo. To assess the Internet addiction in adolescents, S. Chen’s method was used; personal characteristics of adolescents were determined using the Eysenck test. Mental performance was assessed based on the results of proofreading tests (M.V. Antropova); academic performance was estimated per the average score. Data were statistically analyzed using conventional methods of variation statistics. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, and centroversion in boys are risk factors able to cause formation of Internet ad-diction in adolescents; an increase in the severity of neuroticism in these groups combined with a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance is also a risk factor of Internet addiction in adolescents aged 15–17 years. A direct correlation was found between the Internet addiction score and the level of neuroticism. At risk of Internet addiction, introversion was detected in girls more often than in boys, and extraversion and high neuroticism were detected in the group with Internet addiction. Boys with Internet addiction were more likely to have centroversion than girls. Adolescents with severe Internet addiction had the lowest levels of accuracy and mental performance quotient and lower academic performance. High neuroticism, introversion in girls, centroversion in boys, an increase in the severity of neuroticism, a decrease in accuracy, mental performance and academic performance are risk factors of Internet addiction formation in adolescents. This justifies the need to carry out sanitary and hygienic measures that should involve development of standards for safe Internet use and inclusion of psycho-prophylaxis