Internet Use Habits and Internet Addiction in Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: Case-Control Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: ABS TRACT Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the internet use habits and internet addiction levels of adolescents with chronic diseases (clinical sample) compared with adolescents without chronic diseases (community sample).Material and Methods: This case-control study was conducted between 2022 and 2023.The sample consisted of a clinical group followed up at a university hospital (n=83) and an age-matched community sample (n=78).Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a descriptive information form and the Internet Addiction Scale.Results: The median daily internet use was 3 hours in the clinical sample and 2 hours in the community sample.Adolescents with chronic diseases spent significantly more time online per day than those in the community sample (p=0.006).The clinical sample had significantly higher total Internet Addiction Scale scores compared with the community sample (p<0.001).Linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of a chronic disease (B=22.471,p<0.001) and having a personal internet-connected device (B=12.265,p<0.001) were significant predictors of internet addiction across the entire study group.Specifically, within the clinical sample, having siblings (B=11.924,p<0.001), low maternal and paternal educational levels (p<0.001),having a non-working mother (B=15.367,p<0.001), and low perceived academic performance (B=10.665,p<0.001) emerged as risk factors associated with higher levels of internet addiction.Conclusion: These findings indicate that adolescents with chronic diseases are at increased risk for excessive internet use and internet addiction.The study highlights the need for early identification and targeted preventive strategies focusing on sociodemographic risk factors to support this population.
Authors: Pelin KARATAŞ, Hüsniye ÇALIŞIR
Institution: Adnan Menderes University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204231606