Problematic Internet use is associated with substance use in young adolescents

Aim This study examined whether problematic Internet use was associated with substance use among young adolescents and assessed whether this association accounted for the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs. Methods Using the Internet Addiction Test, we divided a representative sample...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta Paediatrica 2015-05, Vol.104 (5), p.504-507
Main Authors: Rücker, Jeanine, Akre, Christina, Berchtold, André, Suris, Joan-Carles
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Alcohol-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Behavior, Addictive - epidemiology
Female
Humans
Internet - utilization
Male
Marijuana Smoking - epidemiology
Problematic Internet use
Risky behaviour
Smoking - epidemiology
Substance use
Surveys and Questionnaires
Switzerland - epidemiology
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Summary:Aim This study examined whether problematic Internet use was associated with substance use among young adolescents and assessed whether this association accounted for the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs. Methods Using the Internet Addiction Test, we divided a representative sample of 3067 adolescents in Switzerland (mean age 14 years) into regular and problematic Internet users. We performed a bivariate analysis and two logistic regression models, to analyse substances separately and simultaneously, and developed a log‐linear model to define the associations between significant variables. Results Problematic Internet users were more likely to be female, to use substances, to come from nonintact families, to report poor emotional well‐being and to be below average students. The first model showed significant associations between problematic users and each substance, with adjusted odds ratios of 2.05 for tobacco, 1.72 for alcohol, 1.94 for cannabis and 2.73 for other drugs. Only smoking remained significant in the second model, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.71. Conclusion Problematic Internet use is associated with other risky behaviours and may be an important early predictor of adolescent substance use. Therefore, it should be included in the psychosocial screening of adolescents.
ISSN:0803-5253
1651-2227
DOI:10.1111/apa.12971