Problematic Internet Use Associated With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Turkish College Students

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of internet addiction (IA) due to the causal relationship between IA and ADHD. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between ADHD and IA. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 796 voluntary students between April and June 2018 at the Ondokuz Mayis University Kurupelit campus. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Results: The participants consisted of 375 males (47.1%) and 421 females (52.9%). The median IAT score was 35 (23-47) in males, and it was significantly higher than those in females [30 (22-40)1 (z=2.87, p=0.004). There was no significant difference in the ASRS scores between males [30 (23-38)1 andfemales [30 (24-38)[(z=0.21, p=0.836). Risky and addictive internet use was significantly higher in students who had higher ASRS scores than the cut-off value (79.7% and 100.0% vs. 20.3% and 0.0%, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between the IAT and ASRS scores (rho=0.59, p<0.001). The "hyperactivity/impulsivity - and "attention deficit sub-scores, which are sub-dimensions of the ASRS, also showed a significant positive correlation with the IAT scores (rho=0.57, p<0.001, and rho=0.59, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: IA symptoms were found common among Turkish college students, especially in males. The presence of ADHD symptoms may be an essential risk factor for problematic internet use. Therefore, further studies supported by clinical diagnoses are needed to investigate the relationship between IA, ADHD, and gender.