Citation

Tuncturk M, Karaçetin G, Ermis C, Ciray RO, Gercek C, Bulanik Koc E, Turan S, Griffiths MD. Psychiatr. Danub. 2023; 35(3): 395-406.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.24869/psyd.2023.395

PMID

37917844

Abstract

AIMS: To compare adolescents clinically diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) in terms of cyberbullying, aggression, and loneliness.

METHODS: Male adolescent patients (N=124, 14.3±1.7 years) with Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) scores ≥50 were clinically interviewed for IGD in utilizing DSM-5 criteria. Patients without full IGD criteria were included as PIU comparisons. Clinical variables were assessed using the second version of the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, short-form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Child Depression Inventory, and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders.

RESULTS: Compared to individuals with PIU, those with IGD were significantly more likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, higher social phobia scores, higher cyberbullying scores, higher loneliness scores, been a cyberbully, and been a cyberbully victim.

CONCLUSION: Male adolescents with IGD have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, perceived loneliness, cyberbullying, and being a victim of cyberbullying than those with PIU. Future studies could evaluate these predictors of transition from PIU to IGD in large cohort samples.

Language: en

Keywords

Aggression; Loneliness; Cyberbullying; Internet Gaming Disorder; Problematic Internet Use