Pcr6a

Xi'an ShiyouDaxueXuebao (ZiranKexue Ban)/
Journal of Xi'an Shiyou University, Natural Sciences Edition

ISSN:1673-064X
E-Publication:Online Open Access
DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/PCR6A
INTERNET ADDICTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ADVERSE

CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A
NARRATIVE REVIEW
Priya Malik
Research Scholar, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram
Email: priyamalik9811@gmail.com
Dr. Nudrat Jahan

Assistant Professor, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram
Email: dr.nudrat@sgtuniversity.org
Abstract
Background: Internet addiction is a growing concern which is being debated worldwide. Problematic
internet use is escalated with adverse childhood experiences in their life.
Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to understand the relationship between internet
addiction and experiences among adolescents
Methodology: Different databases like Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science were used to find
research papers for this narrative review paper. Previous research papers were taken into
consideration for this study.
Results: The results have shown that maltreatment, family violence, family cohesion, neglect,
dysfunctional family, domestic violence, aggression, parental alcohol use is significantly associated
with internet addiction among adolescents. Adolescents who have experienced psychological abuse,
emotional abuse, and sexual abuse are at a greater risk for internet addiction.
Conclusion: There is an increasing need to plan and formulate effective prevention and treatment
strategies for internet addiction.
Keywords: Internet, Internet addiction, Childhood Experiences, Adolescents
1. Introduction
In the modern times important modifications have taken place around the world with
respect to the qualitative and quantitative expansion of the Internet. There has been
an uncontrollable expansion in the use of internet not only in India but also
worldwide. Reports explained that there were approximately 137 million Internet
users in India in 2013 (Internet and Mobile Association of India, 2015). New research
done in the field explained that adolescent population had a greater risk to develop
Internet problematic behavior also known as Internet Addiction. Internet Addiction is
characterized as an individual’s failure to control his or her use of the internet that
ultimately causes intellectual, societal, school and work distress in an individual’s life
(Davis 2001; Young & Rogers, 1998). Internet Addiction was first popularized in
1996 at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association (Young
1996). Internet addiction is explained as an irresistible and detrimental use of the
September 2021 | 279

ISSN:1673-064X
Internet, and conceptually framed as an uncontrollable -impulsive situation

(Ghassemzadeh et al., 2008). Internet addiction is defined as an urge control
disorder that does not involve the use of an stimulating drug and is very like to
pathological gambling (Young, 1996) .The term “Internet Addiction” formulated by
Goldberg, was basically used to analyze the adverse effects of excessive internet
usage on personal lives (Goldberg,1996). Internet addiction is also acknowledged as
cyberspace obsession, net obsession and problematic internet usage (Davis, Flett, &
Besser, 2002). Internet addiction is a description for disorderly, harmful use of the
technology and it is a warning clue that an individual is having trouble controlling
their internet use (Beard,2002). Griffiths (2000) revealed that internet addiction has
six basic components which are common with other type of addictions mainly
salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict and relapse. According to
the Illinois Institute for Addiction recovery (Young & Abreu, 2010) signs of internet
addiction include engrossment with the Internet, use of the internet in rising amount
of time to in order to attain comfort, numerous, futile efforts to discipline internet use,
sense of anxiety, depression as well as annoyance when trying to cut down internet
use, staying online for a prolonged period of time than you planned, loss of
significant relationships, job as well as educational opportunities because of
excessive internet use, dishonest with family members and others to conceal the
hours you spent online, use of the Internet to escape from the difficulties and
obstacles of life. Internet Addiction results in personal, family, financial and
occupational problems. Therefore, this paper aimed at understanding the
relationship between internet addiction and experiences among adolescents
2. Selection Criteria
Previous research papers were taken into consideration for this study. Papers were
searched using different electronic databases like PubMed and Google Scholar.
Keywords used for searching papers were Internet Addiction and Adverse childhood
experiences.
3. Results
Table 1 Studies included in the narrative review.
Author and
Country Sample Comparator Variables Measure
Year
Internet Addiction,
Child Maltreatment,
1204 Cross sectional
Lo et al., 2021 Hong Kong ___ Parental Harsh
adolescents school survey
Discipline, Bullying and
Social Support

ISSN:1673-064X
Karaca,
Internet Addiction,
Demirci,
violence towards Structured
Caglar, & Korea adolescents __
parents, domestic Interview
Konsuk Unlu,
violence experience
2021
Social media
disorder scale,
Happiness, Social
Oxford Happiness
Media Addiction,
314 Questionnaire
Demir, 2021 Turkey __ negative childhood
adolescents Short Form,
experiences,
Childhood
unhappiness
Experiences
Questionnaire
CD-RISC, ISPCAN,
ICAST-C, Positive
Internet addiction,
School Experience
Hsieh et al., 6233 resilience, neglect,
Taiwan ___ (items framed for
2021 adolescents school experience,
the study), UCLA-
community violence
PTSD Index for
DSM-V, CIAS
102 Left
Behind Left Behind Childhood Trauma
Dong, Su, Du, Internet Addiction,
Adolescents Adolescents and Questionnaire,
Hu, & Wang, China Childhood Trauma,
and 1399 Non- Non-Left Behind Internet Addiction
2021 Depression
Left Behind Adolescents Test and BDI
Adolescents
Adverse childhood
Children and
experiences, digital
Jackson, Testa, adolescents Karlson-Holm-
USA __ media use, family,
& Fox, 2021 aged 6-17 Breen- Method
parent and child level
years
factors
Socio-
demographic
Online sexual
characteristics,
solicitation, internet
internet access
Donmez & accessibility, internet Young Internet
Turkey adolescents facilities,
Soylu, 2020 usage, internet Addiction Scale
psychiatric
addiction, psychiatric
disorders, internet
disorders
use
characteristics
Bullying Victimization,
1810
Child Abuse, Internet Illinios Bully Scale,
Malaeb et al., Adolescents
Lebanese __ Addiction, Social Internet Addiction
2020 aged 14 and
Phobia and Test
17 years
Depression

ISSN:1673-064X
Children
Depression
Inventory, Socio
demographic
180 students Depression, Childhood
characteristics,
Seo et al., 2020 Korea between ages ___ Adversity, Problematic
semi structured
9 and 18 Internet Use
questionnaires,
Smartphone
addiction
proneness scale
Young Internet
Addiction Test
Short Form, Short
Form for Perceived
492 High Internet Addiction, Emotional Abuse
Tras et al.,
Turkey school __ Perceived Emotional scale for
2019
students Abuse, Well Being adolescents,
Measure of
Adolescent Well
Being, Personal
Information Form
Self-report
Internet Addiction, late measures on
358 high adolescence, traumatic traumatic
Schimmenti et
Italy school Gender experiences, experiences,
al., 2017
students Alexithymia, Gender alexithymia, and
Differences problematic
Internet Use
Early trauma
inventory self-
report short form,
Depression, Rosenberg self-
695 middle
Kim, Park, & Problematic Internet esteem scale,
Korea &high school ___
Park, 2017 Use, Self Esteem Children
students
Sexual Abuse Depression
Inventory, Young
Internet Addiction
Test
Internet Addiction,
parenting approaches,
Cross sectional
Wu etal., 2016 Hong Kong adolescents __ familial variables
study
including family conflict
and family functionality
Internet Addiction,
stressful life events,
Tang et al., coping style,
China Adolescents __ psychological Self-Rated Scales
2014
symptoms,
interpersonal
problems, school

ISSN:1673-064X
related problems
Youngs Internet
Addiction Scale,
Adolescent Self
Specificity for
Rating Life events
mediating role of
Checklist, Parent
life events was Internet Addiction,
3507 urban Child Conflicts
Yang et al., demonstrated in Adolescent
China adolescent Tactics Scale,
2014 comparison to Depression, Life
students Centre for
alternative events
Epidemiologic
competing
Studies Depression
mediation models
Scale,
Demographic
characteristics
Internet Addiction
self-test scale, the
Rosenberg Self
Esteem Scale, the
children of
743 Early alcoholics
Internet Addiction,
Jang, Kim, & adolescents Internet Addiction screening test, the
Korea parental problem
Choi, 2012 aged 11-12 Group family adaptability
drinking, aggression
years and cohesion
Evaluation Scale,
Korean version of
the child
behavioural
checklist
Internet Addiction,
Family Cohesion, Structured Survey,
Park, Kim, & 903
Korea __ Family Violence Internet Addiction
Cho, 2008 adolescents
Exposure, Family Scale
Communication
Beard & Children and
USA __ Internet Addiction Secondary Data
Yarnall, 2008 adolescents
Demographic data,
internet addiction
Internet overuse, scale, family
Family conflict, parent adaptability
Kim, Chae, Addicted Group &
998 adolescent cohesion
Rhim, & Shin, Korea Non-Addicted
adolescents communication, family evaluation scale,
2004 Group
adaptability cohesion, parent adolescent
children of alcoholics communication
inventory, conflicts
tactics scales 2 and

ISSN:1673-064X
children of
alcoholics
screening test
Table 1 presents the data that has been extracted from the past years showing
authors, years, country, sample, comparator, variables, and measures. After
reviewing all the papers included authors found that harsh parenting, maltreatment,
family communication, family violence, family cohesion, aggressive behaviour,
parental alcohol use and neglect was significantly associated with internet addiction
among adolescents. Results have also shown a history of abuse like psychological,
emotional, sexual contributes to the proneness towards internet addiction in later
stages of life. Adverse childhood experiences and traumatic memories increase the
risk of problematic internet use including anxiety, depression, interpersonal and
school related stressors.
4. Discussion
After reviewing the review papers, it can be understood that internet addiction is an
emerging and expanding phenomenon and needs considerable attention. Adverse
childhood experiences have a significant impact on an adolescent’s mental health
and is positively related to internet addiction. Prevention efforts for Internet Addiction
is essential in the future. It is very crucial to highlight the importance of adaptive
coping skills to deal with the mental stress resultant from adverse childhood
experiences. World Health Organization characterizes adverse childhood
experiences and trauma as all forms of physical and emotional abuse, inattention or
exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to a child (Hughes et al., 2017).
As described by Jacobs et al (2012) Childhood Adversity is classified as any
vulnerability to abuse (emotional, physical, and intimate) neglect (emotional,
physical) and family dysfunction (parental separation, domestic violence, substance
abuse). Childhood adversity can be explained as a range of factors that can have a
severe impact on a child’s physical or subjective well-being. Childhood Adversity has
a significant impact on an adolescent’s life. Early childhood adversity is linked to
various medical and psychiatric problems. Shi et al (2020) reviewed the components
of Internet Gaming Disorder and the related interaction effects of childhood trauma,
hopelessness and uncertainty in university graduates. Findings explained that
childhood trauma had a powerful impact on internet gaming disorder. Lee, Chung,
Kim, & Lee, (2016) studied the structural association among adverse childhood
experiences, anxiety and internet addiction in young pupil. Findings from path
analysis confirmed that adverse childhood experiences certainly determine risk for
internet addiction. Forster et al. (2021) explained that adverse childhood experiences
boost the probability of developing behavioural addictions. Wilke et al. (2020)

ISSN:1673-064X
investigated whether the association among adverse childhood experiences and

problematic media usage was moderated through attachment anxiety, attachment
escapism or both. Results of the study explained that there was a relationship
among adverse childhood experiences and problematic media usage.
Eşkisu (2021) presented a study which adopted cross sectional correlational
research design to understand the association among childhood trauma, internet
addiction, dissociative experiences as well as online dissociation. Childhood trauma
was positively associated with dissociative experiences, online dissociation and
Internet Addiction. Evren et al. (2019) explained the associations among childhood
trauma and internet addiction. The study also focused on investigating the mediator
effects of dissociative experiences and emotional dysregulation on this association
which revealed that childhood trauma mainly emotional abuse and physical neglect
was associated with severity of Internet Addiction symptoms. Dong et al. (2010)
examined the prevalence of psychological abuse, neglect and internet addiction in
school students further explaining that those who had experienced psychological
abuse, neglect had greater chances of being prone to the Internet.
Conclusion
This narrative has made an attempt to understand the relationship between internet
addiction and adverse childhood experiences which has been increasing rapidly. In
an effort to reduce heavy digital media use and problematic internet use practitioners
who consistently interact with the youth should consider screening for adverse
childhood experiences and referring high risk youth and their families for various
interventions and treatment programs that can also focus on family and social
vulnerabilities among adolescents.
References
Beard, K. W. (2002). Internet addiction: Current status and implications for
employees. Journal of Employment Counseling, 39(1), 2-11.
Beard, K. W., & Yarnall, C. (2008). Internet addiction in children and
adolescents. Computer science research trends, 59-70.
Davis, R. A. (2001) A cognitive–behavioral model of pathological internet use.
Computers in Human Behavior, 17, 187–195.
Davis, R. A., Flett, G. L., & Besser, A. (2002). Validation of a new scale for
measuring problematic Internet use: Implications for pre-employment
screening. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(4), 331–
345. https://doi.org/10.1089/109493102760275581
Demir, Y. (2021). Relationships among childhood experiences, happiness and social
media addictions in adolescents. Educational Process: International
Journal, 10(1), 13-27.

ISSN:1673-064X
Dong, G., Lu, Q., Zhou, H., & Zhao, X. (2010). Impulse inhibition in people with
Internet addiction disorder: electrophysiological evidence from a Go/NoGo
study. Neuroscience letters, 485(2), 138-142.
Dong, X., Su, F., Du, J., Hu, Y., & Wang, Z. (2021). Childhood trauma and internet
addiction predict depression on left behind adolescents. The International
Journal of Electrical Engineering & Education.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00207209211002072
Dönmez, Y. E., & Soylu, N. (2020). The Relationship between Online Sexual
Solicitation and Internet Addiction in Adolescents. Journal of child sexual
abuse, 29(8), 911–923. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2020.1841355
EŞKİSU, M. (2021). Childhood Trauma and Internet Addiction: Do Dissociation Or
Online Dissociation Have A Mediating Role?. Culture, 6(12), 501-516.
Evren, C., Evren, B., Dalbudak, E., Topcu, M., Kutlu, N., & Elhai, J. D. (2019).
Severity of dissociative experiences and emotion dysregulation mediate the
relationship between childhood trauma and Internet addiction symptom
severity among young adults. Dusunen Adam The Journal of Psychiatry and
Neurological Sciences, 32, 334-344
Forster, M., Rogers, C., Sussman, S. Y., Yu, S., Rahman, T., Zeledon, H., &
Benjamin, S. M. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences and problematic
smartphone use among college students: Findings from a pilot
study. Addictive behaviors, 117, 106869.
Ghassemzadeh, L., Shahraray, M., & Moradi, A. (2008). Prevalence of Internet
addiction and comparison of Internet addicts and non-addicts in Iranian high
schools. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11(6), 731-733.
Goldberg, I. (1996). Internet addiction disorder.
Griffiths, M. (2000). Internet addiction-time to be taken seriously?. Addiction
research, 8(5), 413-418.
Hsieh, Y. P., Hwa, H. L., Shen, A. C. T., Wei, H. S., Feng, J. Y., & Huang, C. Y.
(2021). Ecological Predictors and Trajectory of Internet Addiction from
Childhood through Adolescence: A Nationally Representative Longitudinal
Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public
Health, 18(12), 6253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126253
Hughes, K., Bellis, M. A., Hardcastle, K. A., Sethi, D., Butchart, A., Mikton, C., ... &
Dunne, M. P. (2017). The effect of multiple adverse childhood experiences on
health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public
Health, 2(8), e356-e366.
Internet and Mobile Association of India. (2015). Internet in India Report 2015.
Mumbai. Retrieved from
https://cms.iamai.in/Content/ResearchPapers/a58218be-d7d9-4268-84e6-
6c58aa4322ce.pdf

ISSN:1673-064X
Jackson, D. B., Testa, A., & Fox, B. (2021). Adverse Childhood Experiences and
digital media use among US children. American journal of preventive
medicine, 60(4), 462-470.
Jacobs, J., Agho, K., Stevens, G., & Raphael, B. (2012). Do childhood adversities
cluster in predictable ways? A systematic review. Vulnerable Children and
Youth Studies, 7(2), 103-115.
Jang, M. H., Kim, M. J., & Choi, H. (2012). Influences of parental problem drinking on
internet addiction among early adolescents: a multiple-mediation
analysis. Journal of addictions nursing, 23(4), 258-270.
Karaca, A., Demirci, N., Caglar, E., & Konsuk Unlu, H. (2021). Correlates of internet
addiction in turkish adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 126
Kim, H. S., Chae, K. C., Rhim, Y. J., & Shin, Y. M. (2004). Familial characteristics of
internet overuse adolescents. Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric
Association, 43(6), 733-739.
Kim, J., Hong, H., Lee, J., & Hyun, M. H. (2017). Effects of time perspective and self-
control on procrastination and Internet addiction. Journal of behavioral
addictions, 6(2), 229-236.
Lee, J., Chung, S., Kim, J., & Lee, K. (2016). Influence of Adverse Childhood
Experiences, Anxiety on Internet Addiction Risk of the Probation Youth. The
Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 16(11), 103-115.0.
Lo, C. K. M., Ho, F. K., Emery, C., Chan, K. L., Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., & Ip, P.
(2021). Association of harsh parenting and maltreatment with internet
addiction, and the mediating role of bullying and social support. Child Abuse
and Neglect, 113
Malaeb, D., Awad, E., Haddad, C., Salameh, P., Sacre, H., Akel, M., ... & Hallit, S.
(2020). Bullying victimization among Lebanese adolescents: the role of child
abuse, internet addiction, social phobia and depression and validation of the
Illinois bully scale. BMC pediatrics, 20(1), 1-11.
Park, S. K., Kim, J. Y., & Cho, C. B. (2008). Prevalence of Internet addiction and
correlations with family factors among South Korean
adolescents. Adolescence, 43(172), 895–909.
Schimmenti, A., Passanisi, A., Caretti, V., La Marca, L., Granieri, A., Iacolino, C.,
Gervasi, A. M., Maganuco, N. R., & Billieux, J. (2017). Traumatic experiences,
alexithymia, and Internet addiction symptoms among late adolescents: A
moderated mediation analysis. Addictive behaviors, 64, 314–320.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.11.002
Seo, H. S., Jeong, E. K., Choi, S., Kwon, Y., Park, H. J., & Kim, I. (2020). Changes
of Neurotransmitters in Youth with Internet and Smartphone Addiction: A
Comparison with Healthy Controls and Changes after Cognitive Behavioral

ISSN:1673-064X
Therapy. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology, 41(7), 1293–1301.

https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A6632
Shi, L., Wang, Y., Yu, H., Wilson, A., Cook, S., Duan, Z., ... & Chen, R. (2020). The
relationship between childhood trauma and Internet gaming disorder among
college students: A structural equation model. Journal of behavioral
addictions, 9(1), 175-18
Tang, J., Yu, Y., Du, Y., Ma, Y., Zhang, D., & Wang, J. (2014). Prevalence of internet
addiction and its association with stressful life events and psychological
symptoms among adolescent internet users. Addictive behaviors, 39(3), 744–
747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.12.010
Traş, Z. (2019). Internet addiction and loneliness as predictors of internet gaming
disorder in adolescents. Educational Research and Reviews, 14(13), 465-473.
Wilke, N., Howard, A. H., Morgan, M., & Hardin, M. (2020). Adverse childhood
experiences and problematic media use: the roles of attachment and
impulsivity. Vulnerable children and youth studies, 15(4), 344-355.
Wu, C. S. T., Wong, H. T., Yu, K. F., Fok, K. W., Yeung, S. M., Lam, C. H., & Liu, K.
M. (2016). Parenting approaches, family functionality, and internet addiction
among Hong Kong adolescents. BMC pediatrics, 16(1), 1-10.
Yang, L., Sun, L., Zhang, Z., Sun, Y., Wu, H., & Ye, D. (2014). Internet addiction,
adolescent depression, and the mediating role of life events: finding from a
sample of Chinese adolescents. International Journal of Psychology, 49(5),
342-347.
Young K, Rodgers R. (1998). The relationship between depression and Internet
addiction. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1, 25-288
Young, K. (1996). internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder.
Cyber Psychology and Behavior, 3, Til-iAA.
Young, K. S., & De Abreu, C. N. (Eds.). (2010). Internet addiction: A handbook and
guide to evaluation and treatment. John Wiley & Sons.

Pcr6a

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pcr6a

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Xi'an ShiyouDaxueXuebao (ZiranKexue Ban)/

Journal of Xi'an Shiyou University, Natural Sciences Edition

INTERNET ADDICTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ADVERSE

Dr. Nudrat Jahan

September 2021 | 279

Internet, and conceptually framed as an uncontrollable -impulsive situation

September 2021 | 280

September 2021 | 281

September 2021 | 282

September 2021 | 283

September 2021 | 284

investigated whether the association among adverse childhood experiences and

September 2021 | 285

September 2021 | 286

September 2021 | 287

Therapy. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology, 41(7), 1293–1301.

September 2021 | 288

You might also like