Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Oct 13;16(20). pii: E3877. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16203877.
Machimbarrena JM1, González-Cabrera J2, Ortega-Barón J3, Beranuy-Fargues M4, Álvarez-Bardón A5, Tejero B6.
Abstract
The internet has been a breakthrough for adolescents in many ways, but its use can also become dysfunctional and problematic, leading to consequences for personal well-being. The main objective is to analyze profiles related to problematic internet use and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). An analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in a region of northern Spain. The sample comprised 12,285 participants. Sampling was random and representative. Mean age and standard deviation was 14.69 ± 1.73 (11-18 years). The Spanish versions of the Problematic and Generalized Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) and of the Health-Related Quality of Life (KIDSCREEN-27) were used. Four profiles were detected (non-problematic use, mood regulator, problematic internet use, and severe problematic use). The prevalence of these last two profiles was 18.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Problematic internet use correlated negatively and significantly with HRQoL. The severe problematic use profile presented a significant decrease in all dimensions of HRQoL. Analyses were carried out to extract a diagnostic cut-off point for GPIUS2 (52 points). The results and practical implications are discussed.
KEYWORDS: adolescent; cut-off point; health-related quality of life; internet addiction; problematic internet use
PMID: 31614899
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