A nationwide survey of the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of internet addictive disorders in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
118
Journal Issue
1P3
Pages
514-523
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Abstract
Background and purpose: The American Psychiatric Association has published the diagnostic criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for further studies to clarify IGD and related concepts of internet addiction. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of internet addictive disorder (IAD) in the general population using the framework of IGD criteria. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted using a computer-assisted telephone interview of residents aged 15 and older selected by a stratified proportional randomizing method. The questionnaire comprised socio-demographic information, 9-items IAD (IAD-9) for identification of IGD and non-gaming IAD, the 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale, and questions about internet use and suicidal ideation. Results: Among 2147 respondents (50.4% females), the one-year prevalence of IAD was 1.9% (1.2% for IGD and 0.7% for non-gaming IAD). People with IAD were characterized as: younger, unemployed or students, under recent psychological distress, with recent and lifetime suicidal ideation, and engaging in regular multiple online activities including gaming, shopping or video-watching. Logistic regression revealed that age and psychopathology including insomnia, depression and inferiority were significant predictors of IAD. High prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (27.5%) and lifetime suicidal ideation (34.2%) accompanied with very low psychiatric treatment rate were also identified. Conclusion: Age and psychopathology were identified as major determinants of IAD. The IGD criteria in DMS-5 is applicable to identify the internet addictive problems that enhances early engagement for high-risk populations across the ages. ? 2018 Formosan Medical Association
Other Subjects
adolescent; adult; age; aged; Article; Brief Symptom Rating Scale; controlled study; correlation analysis; demography; depression; distress syndrome; DSM-5; female; game addiction; health survey; human; insomnia; internet addiction; logistic regression analysis; major clinical study; male; middle aged; morbidity; population research; prevalence; psychiatric treatment; psychosocial disorder; questionnaire; rating scale; shopping; social status; student; suicidal ideation; Taiwan; telephone interview; unemployment; video game; young adult; addiction; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Internet; mental disease; multivariate analysis; prevalence; psychology; statistical model; Taiwan; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Behavior, Addictive; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Humans; Internet; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Prevalence; Psychopathology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Young Adult
Type
journal article