Adolescent Internet Addiction in Hong Kong: Prevalence, Change, and Correlates

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

137 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures Over 6 years, students responded to a questionnaire containing measures of sociodemographic characteristics, positive youth development, family processes, and Internet addiction behavior. Results The prevalence rates of Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents ranged from 17% to 26.8% during the high school years. Male students consistently showed a higher prevalence rate of Internet addiction and more Internet addictive behaviors than did female students. Longitudinal data suggested that although family economic disadvantage served as a risk factor for youth Internet addiction, the effects of family intactness and family functioning were not significant. Students' overall positive youth development and general positive youth development qualities were negatively related to Internet addictive behaviors and prosocial attributes had a positive relationship with youth Internet addiction. Conclusion The results suggest that promotion of positive youth development is a promising direction for preventing Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents. Gender and family economic disadvantage must be considered in design of the related prevention programs.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S22-S30
JournalJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • Chinese adolescents
  • Hong Kong
  • Internet addiction
  • Longitudinal design

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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