The interdependence of family functioning and problematic internet use in a representative quota sample of adolescents

TY - JOUR

T1 - The interdependence of family functioning and problematic internet use in a representative quota sample of adolescents

AU - Wartberg, Lutz

AU - Kammerl, Rudolf

AU - Rosenkranz, Moritz

AU - Hirschhäuser, Lena

AU - Hein, Sandra

AU - Schwinge, Christiane

AU - Petersen, Kay Uwe

AU - Thomasius, Rainer

PY - 2014/1/1

Y1 - 2014/1/1

N2 - Few studies have been carried out investigating the interdependence of family structures or interactions and excessive adolescent Internet use. In this study, we surveyed a representative German quota sample of 1,744 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years with standardized questionnaires. Adolescents assessed their perceived own functioning in the family with the Self-Rating Scale (FB-S) of the German version of the Family Assessment Measure III, and reported on problematic Internet use with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). To predict problematic Internet use (CIUS summary score), we conducted a multiple stepwise linear regression analysis with the seven FB-S scales, the FB-S overall index, and gender and age as explanatory variables. For the full sample, a model with only one predictor (FB-S overall index) that summarizes the quality of family functioning produced a corrected coefficient of determination of 0.239 and explained variance of nearly 24%. t Test results for unpaired samples showed significant differences in the mean values of the FB-S scales and the FB-S overall index for comparisons of both sexes, as well as of a lower age group and higher age group. The prediction of problematic Internet use between both sexes and both age groups showed comparable findings (males: corrected coefficient of determination=0.288; females: corrected coefficient of determination=0.183; lower age group: corrected coefficient of determination=0.231; higher age group: corrected coefficient of determination=0.251), each with a single predictor (FB-S overall index). The results emphasize the importance of family functioning for the occurrence of problematic Internet use in adolescents.

AB - Few studies have been carried out investigating the interdependence of family structures or interactions and excessive adolescent Internet use. In this study, we surveyed a representative German quota sample of 1,744 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years with standardized questionnaires. Adolescents assessed their perceived own functioning in the family with the Self-Rating Scale (FB-S) of the German version of the Family Assessment Measure III, and reported on problematic Internet use with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). To predict problematic Internet use (CIUS summary score), we conducted a multiple stepwise linear regression analysis with the seven FB-S scales, the FB-S overall index, and gender and age as explanatory variables. For the full sample, a model with only one predictor (FB-S overall index) that summarizes the quality of family functioning produced a corrected coefficient of determination of 0.239 and explained variance of nearly 24%. t Test results for unpaired samples showed significant differences in the mean values of the FB-S scales and the FB-S overall index for comparisons of both sexes, as well as of a lower age group and higher age group. The prediction of problematic Internet use between both sexes and both age groups showed comparable findings (males: corrected coefficient of determination=0.288; females: corrected coefficient of determination=0.183; lower age group: corrected coefficient of determination=0.231; higher age group: corrected coefficient of determination=0.251), each with a single predictor (FB-S overall index). The results emphasize the importance of family functioning for the occurrence of problematic Internet use in adolescents.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Age Factors

KW - Compulsive Behavior

KW - Family Relations

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Humans

KW - Internet

KW - Linear Models

KW - Male

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Sex Factors

U2 - 10.1089/cyber.2012.0494

DO - 10.1089/cyber.2012.0494

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23952627

VL - 17

SP - 14

EP - 18

JO - CYBERPSYCH BEH SOC N

JF - CYBERPSYCH BEH SOC N

SN - 2152-2715

IS - 1

ER -