J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2014 Sep;25(3):136-141. 10.5765/jkacap.2014.25.3.136.

Relationship between Internet Game Addiction and Psychiatric Symptoms in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic

• Oh EJ
• Choi SW
• Lee HK
• Park JH
• Ahn JH
• Choi JE
• Bhang SY

• KMID: 2291599
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.2014.25.3.136

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between internet game addiction and psychiatric symptoms.
METHODS
A total of 447 adolescents who were recruited from a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic of university hospital completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of Korean Internet Addiction Self-scale (K-scale), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Korean-Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (K-ARS), and Adolescent Happiness Index (AHI). They were classified into three internet user groups, non-addicted group (below or equal to 94), potential risk group (95 to 107) and high risk group (above or equal to 108) according to K-scale total score.
RESULTS
Significant mean differences in BDI, BAI, K-ARS, and AHI scores were observed among the three groups. The BDI, BAI and K-ARS scores showed positive correlation with K-score. The AHI score showed negative correlation with K-score.
CONCLUSION
Findings of this study suggest that depression, anxiety, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and happiness are associated with internet game addiction.

Keyword

Internet Addiction; Internet Gaming Disorder; Internet Use Disorder; Psychiatric Symptom; Psychopathology; Depression; Anxiety; ADHD; Happiness; Adolescents

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Anxiety
Child*
Depression
Happiness
Humans
Internet*
Psychopathology
Surveys and Questionnaires