https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6323-1354
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Abstract
Background
Problematic use of internet (PUI) may have negative impacts on psychological distress and quality of life (QoL). This situation might be more profound in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to poorer behavioral control and regulatory capacity. However, there is little evidence regarding mediated effects in the associations between PUI, psychological distress, and QoL in people with ADHD.
Aims
To investigate mediating effects of psychological distress in the associations of problematic smartphone use (PSPU), problematic use of social media (PUSM), and problematic gaming (PG) with QoL in individuals with ADHD.
Methods and Procedures
PUI behaviors of participants with ADHD (n = 99) were assessed using the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder-Short Form. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale and QoL using the Kid-KINDL.
Outcomes and Results
Psychological distress mediated the associations between PUI and different domains of QoL, except for self-esteem QoL. There were also positively direct effects between PG and physical QoL, PUSM and friends’ QoL, and PSPU and physical QoL.
Conclusions and Implications
PUI may associate with poor QoL in people with ADHD via psychological distress. Programs on reducing PUI for people with ADHD are needed.
Abbreviations
ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; BSMAS, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale; DASS-21, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; IGDS9-SF, Internet Gaming Disorder-Short Form; LLCI, lower limit confidence interval; PG, problematic gaming; PSPU, problematic smartphone use; PUI, problematic use of internet; PUSM, problematic use of social media; QoL, quality of life; SABAS, Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale; ULCI, upper limit confidence interval.
Data Sharing Statement
Data will be made available on reasonable request. Datasets that support the findings of this study are not readily available. It will be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request for academic use.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Jianan Psychiatric Center (20-026). All questionnaire assessments were conducted after obtaining the written consent/assent forms from both participants and their guardians. Specifically, all participants and their legal guardians were informed as to the purpose of the study prior to giving their consent. For those participants under the age of 18 years, their legal guardians provided written consent; for those participants over the age of 18, both they and their legal guardians provided written consent. Also, the study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki including obtaining written informed consent/assent forms mentioned above, protection of privacy and confidentiality of personal information.
Acknowledgments
We thank all participants, and their parents, who were willing to participate in this study.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
Dr Marc Potenza has a patent application “Glutamate and Impulse Control” with Yale and Novartis; advisory board of Opiant, outside the submitted work. The authors declare no other competing interests in this work.