Which health-related problems are associated with problematic video-gaming or social media use in adolescents?: A large-scale cross-sectional public health study
Merelle,Saskia Y. M. Kleiboer,Annet M. Schotanus,Miriam Cluitmans,Theresia L. M. Waardenburg,Cornelia M. Kramer,Danielle van de Mheen,Dike van Rooij,Antonius J.
Merelle,Saskia Y. M.
Kleiboer,Annet M.
Schotanus,Miriam
Cluitmans,Theresia L. M.
Waardenburg,Cornelia M.
Kramer,Danielle
van de Mheen,Dike
van Rooij,Antonius J.
Abstract
Objective: Problematic video-gaming or social media use may seriously affect adolescents' health status. However, it is not very well known which health-related problems are most strongly related to these issues. To inform the development of prevention and intervention strategies, this study aims to gain a better understanding of the healthrelated problems and demographical factors associated with problematic video-gaming or social media use in early adolescence. Method: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on data collected by two Municipal Health Services in the Netherlands in 2013-2014. In this survey among youth, 21,053 students from secondary schools (mean age 14.4 years) completed a web-based questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were carried out to assess the strength of the associations between mental health problems, life-events, lifestyle and substance use as independent variables, and problematic video-gaming and problematic social media use as dependent variables. Results: Of the participating students, 5.7% reported problematic video-gaming and 9.1% problematic social media use. Problematic video-gaming was most strongly associated with conduct problems, suicidal thoughts (all medium effect sizes, OR = 2, p<0.01), sedentary behavior (large effect size, OR = 3, p<0.01), and male gender (large effect size). Problematic social media use was highly associated with conduct problems, hyperactivity and sedentary behavior (all medium effect sizes). Additionally, female gender and non-Western ethnicity were relevant demographics (large and medium effect size). Conclusions: Most mental health problems were consistently associated with both problematic video-gaming and problematic social media use, though associations were only practically relevant for conduct problems (both groups), suicidal thoughts (problematic video-gaming) and hyperactivity (problematic social media use). This study also highlights sedentary behavior as health risk as it was associated with both problematic video-gaming and problematic social media use. Interventions for young problematic video-gamers or social media users should take into account mental health and physical activity.
Description
Date
2017
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Research Projects
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Keywords
problematic video-gaming, problematic social media use, mental health, lifestyle, adolescents, INTERNET ADDICTION, DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE, PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY, GAME ADDICTION, BODY FATNESS, RISK-FACTORS, LIFE-STYLE, CHILDREN, PREVALENCE, NETWORKING
Citation
Merelle, S Y M, Kleiboer, A M, Schotanus, M, Cluitmans, T L M, Waardenburg, C M, Kramer, D, van de Mheen, D & van Rooij, A J 2017, 'Which health-related problems are associated with problematic video-gaming or social media use in adolescents? A large-scale cross-sectional public health study', Clinical Neuropsychiatry, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 11-19.