The role of self-esteem in Internet addiction within the context of comorbid mental disorders: Findings from a general population-based sample (2018)

J Behav Addict. 2018 Dec 26:1-9. doi: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.130.

Sevelko K1, Bischof G1, Bischof A1, Besser B1, John U2, Meyer C2, Rumpf HJ1.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Internet Addiction (IA) has consistently been related to comorbid psychiatric disorders and lowered self-esteem. However, most studies relied on self-report questionnaires using non-representative samples. This study aims to analyze the relative impact of self-esteem and comorbid psychopathology with lifetime IA in a population-based sample of excessive Internet users using clinical diagnoses assessed in a personal interview.

METHODS:

The sample of this study is based on a general population survey. Using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, all participants with elevated Internet use scores were selected and invited to a follow-up interview. Current DSM-5 criteria for Internet gaming disorder were rephrased to apply to all Internet activities. Out of 196 participants, 82 fulfilled the criteria for IA. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale.

RESULTS:

Self-esteem is significantly associated with IA. For every unit increase in self-esteem, the chance of having IA decreased by 11%. By comparison, comorbidities such as substance-use disorder (excluding tobacco), mood disorder, and eating disorder were significantly more likely among Internet-addicted than in the non-addicted group. This could not be reported for anxiety disorders. A logistic regression showed that by adding self-esteem and psychopathology into the same model, self-esteem maintains its strong influence on IA.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

Self-esteem was associated with IA, even after adjustment for substance-use disorders, mood disorder, and eating disorder. Self-esteem and psychopathology should be considered in prevention, intervention measures, as well as in the conception of etiological models.

KEYWORDS: Internet addiction; comorbidity; prevalence; psychopathology; self-esteem

PMID: 30585501

DOI: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.130