Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2015.56.297
Patterns of internet use and mental health of high school students in Istria County Croatia: cross-sectional study
Petar Bezinović
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Roviš
; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Nena Rončević
orcid.org/0000-0002-0966-0238
; Department of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Lovorka Bilajac
orcid.org/0000-0003-2718-2185
; Department of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To examine associations between different forms of
internet use and a number of psychological variables related
to mental health in adolescents.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a
representative sample of students (N = 1539) from all high
schools in the region of Istria in Croatia (14-19 years). The
associations between four factors of internet use and nine
mental health indicators were analyzed using canonical
correlation analysis.
Results The four canonical functions suggested a significant
association between different types of internet use
and specific indicators of mental health (P < 0.001). Problematic
internet use, more typical among boys, was associated
with general aggressive behavior and substance
abuse (P < 0.001). Experiences of harassment, more typical
among girls, were associated with health complaints,
symptoms of depression, loneliness, and fear of negative
evaluation (P < 0.001). Using the internet for communication
and entertainment was associated with better relationships
with peers (P < 0.001), while use of the internet
for academic purposes was associated with conscientiousness
(P < 0.001).
Conclusion The results suggest that different patterns of
internet use are significantly associated with specific sets
of positive and negative mental health indicators. The data
support the assumption that internet use can have both
positive and adverse effects on the mental health of youth.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
151334
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2015.
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