Association of Problematic Internet Use With Psychotic Experiences and Depression in Adolescents: A Cohort Study

Jun 2, 2024Schizophrenia bulletin

Problematic Internet Use Linked to Psychotic Experiences and Depression in Teenagers

AI simplified

Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Among 3171 adolescents, those in the highest tertile of problematic internet use (PIU) at age 12 had a 3.3% increased risk of psychotic experiences at age 16.

High PIU at age 12 is associated with a greater risk of psychotic experiences and depression by age 16.
The relative risk of developing psychotic experiences for the highest tertile of PIU was 1.65, while for depression it was 1.61.
PIU at age 16 showed similar associations with mental health issues as observed at age 12.
PIU at age 10 had a smaller impact on later mental health outcomes.
Social withdrawal may mediate 9.4%-29.0% of the association between PIU and psychotic experiences.

AI simplified

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Problematic internet use (PIU) is prevalent among adolescents. Past research suggested cross-sectional associations between PIU and psychotic experiences, but little information is available on the longitudinal association. We hypothesized that PIU in adolescence may be longitudinally associated with psychotic experiences, adjusting for confounders.

STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed a random sample of adolescents in the Tokyo Teen Cohort to examine how PIU at ages 10 (2012-2015), 12 (2014-2017), and 16 (2019-2021) was associated with mental health issues at age 16. PIU was evaluated by the modified Compulsive Internet Use Scale, psychotic experiences by the Adolescent Psychotic-like Symptom Screener, and depression by the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. We also examined the mediating role of social withdrawal.

STUDY RESULTS: We analyzed 3171 adolescents; 151 reported psychotic experiences and 327 reported depression at age 16. Compared with the lowest tertile PIU group, the highest tertile PIU group at age 12 showed an increased adjusted risk of psychotic experiences (RD 3.3%, 95% CI 2.9%-3.7%; RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.55-1.73) and depression (RD 5.9%, 95% CI 5.5%-6.3%; RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.55-1.68) at age 16. PIU at age 16 showed analogous results, while PIU at age 10 suggested a smaller impact. Social withdrawal mediated 9.4%-29.0% of the association between PIU and psychotic experiences.

CONCLUSIONS: PIU is longitudinally associated with psychotic experiences and depression in adolescents. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to provide robust public health implications and foster a safer digital future.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View full text (PDF) ↗View full text ↗

Association of Problematic Internet Use With Psychotic Experiences and Depression in Adolescents: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief