Prevalence of Internet Addiction Disorder and Its Correlates Among Clinically Stable Adolescents With Psychiatric Disorders in China During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

Background: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged, Internet usage has increased among adolescents. Due to this trend, the prevalence of Internet addiction disorder (IAD) may have increased within this group. This study examined the prevalence of IAD and its correlates among clinically stable adolescents with psychiatric disorders in China during the COVID-19 outbreak.Method: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was carried out between April 29 and June 9, 2020 in three major tertiary mental health centers in China. IAD and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively.Results: A total of 1,454 adolescent psychiatric patients were included in final analyses. The prevalence of IAD was 31.2% (95% CI: 28.8–33.6%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that poor relationships with parents (P < 0.001, OR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.49–3.68) and elevated total PHQ-9 scores (P < 0.001, OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.16–1.21) were significantly associated with higher risk for IAD while longer daily physical exercise durations (P = 0.04, OR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.46–0.98) and rural residence (P = 0.003, OR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.46–0.85) were significant correlates of lower risk for IAD.Conclusions: IAD was common among adolescent patients with clinically stable psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic; regular physical exercise, healthy relationships with parents and fewer symptoms of depression were associated with lower risk within this population.

Problematic Mobile Phone Use and Life Satisfaction Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Shanghai, China

“…To date, although a few studies have examined internet use and smartphone use in adolescents, middle and high school students (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), few studies examined the smartphone use pattern and PMPU among university students in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, no studies have examined the association between PMPU and life satisfaction using standard structured instruments.…”

Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Internet Addiction Symptoms and Their Association With Quality of Life in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

“…Specifically, the prevalence rate of IA symptoms in our study was approximately 1.5 times the rates reported in adolescents with MDD during an initial assessment in a Turkish outpatient clinic (30%) ( 25 ) and in clinically stable adolescents with MDD in China (36.9%) ( 2 ). The discrepancy could be attributed to patient characteristics.…”

“…Internet addiction (IA) generally refers to the behaviors of uncontrolled and persistent use of the internet, which can lead to individuals’ distress and social avoidance ( 1 ). IA symptoms are prevalent among adolescents and have received extensive attention from researchers around the world ( 2 – 4 ). A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that the prevalence rate of IA symptoms ranged from 0.6 to 50% worldwide, with a pooled prevalence of 2.0% in children and adolescents ( 5 ).…”

“…A study in Turkey found that the prevalence of IA symptoms in adolescents with MDD during the first assessment in the outpatient clinic was 30%, and the symptoms were associated with hopelessness ( 25 ). Another study in China reported that the prevalence in clinically stable adolescents with MDD was 36.9% ( 2 ). However, none of these studies explored the clinical correlates of IA symptoms in adolescents with MDD, such as the severity or duration of depression, or their association with QOL.…”

Digital Addiction and Sleep

“…Whether some internet activities may be more addictive or detrimental to good sleep and a healthy lifestyle than others is an open question [ 181 ]. Increases in digital addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic, related to financial hardship, bereavement, isolation, anxiety, and stress, were reported in studies from different countries [ 66 , 182 , 183 , 184 ]. This further prompts our awareness towards recognizing a new worldwide syndrome fueled by increasingly adverse societal conditions.…”