problematic internet use in chinese adolescents and its relation to psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction中国青少年互联网使用的问题及其与心身症状和生活满意度的关系.pdfVIP

Cao et al. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:802 /1471-2458/11/802 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Problematic Internet use in Chinese adolescents and its relation to psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction Hui Cao1,2, Ying Sun1,2, Yuhui Wan3,3, Jiahu Hao1,2 and Fangbiao Tao1,2* Abstract Background: Problematic Internet use (PIU) is a growing problem in Chinese adolescents. Little is known about associations of PIU with physical and psychological health. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of PIU and to test the relationships between PIU and psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction among adolescents in mainland China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted comprising a large representative sample of 17 599 students in eight cities of China. PIU was assessed by the 20-item Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT). The Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents and the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale were administered to obtain information on psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction. Demographics and Internet usage patterns were also collected. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of PIU on psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction. Results: Approximately 8.1% of subjects showed PIU. Adolescents with PIU were associated with males, high school students, urban, eastern and western areas, upper self-report family economy, service type mostly used for entertainment and relieving loneliness and more frequency of Internet use. Compared with normal Internet users, adolescents with PIU were more likely to suffer from psychosomatic symptoms (P 0.001), including lack of physical energy (P 0.001), physiological dysfunction (P 0.001), weakened immunity (P 0.001), emotional symptoms (P 0.001), behavioural symptoms (P 0.001) and social adaptat