Factors Predictive for Incidence and Remission of Internet Addiction in Young Adolescents: A Prospective Study

TLDR

The study aims to determine 1‑year incidence and remission rates of Internet addiction and identify predictive factors in young adolescents. A prospective, population‑based study of 517 junior‑high students in southern Taiwan examined gender, personality, mental health, self‑esteem, family function, life satisfaction, and Internet activities as potential predictors. Incidence was 7.5% and remission 49.5%; high exploratory excitability, low reward dependence, low self‑esteem, low family function, and online gaming predicted incidence, while low hostility and low interpersonal sensitivity predicted remission, offering targets for prevention and recovery.

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the incidence and remission rates for Internet addiction and the associated predictive factors in young adolescents over a 1-year follow-up. This was a prospective, population-based investigation. Five hundred seventeen students (267 male and 250 female) were recruited from three junior high schools in southern Taiwan. The factors examined included gender, personality, mental health, self-esteem, family function, life satisfaction, and Internet activities. The result revealed that the 1-year incidence and remission rates for Internet addiction were 7.5% and 49.5% respectively. High exploratory excitability, low reward dependence, low self-esteem, low family function, and online game playing predicted the emergency of the Internet addiction. Further, low hostility and low interpersonal sensitivity predicted remission of Internet addiction. The factors predictive incidence and remission of Internet addiction identified in this study could be provided for prevention and promoting remission of Internet addiction in adolescents.