The association between Internet use and depressive symptoms among South Korean adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the cross-sectional relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms in South Korean adolescents.


METHODS
Existing data, the three-wave Korean Youth Panel Survey, were analyzed. The sample was a cohort representing the population of second-year students at Korean middle schools in 2003 (N = 3,449). Multivariate logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
A one-unit increase in Internet use was positively associated with a 20.7% increase in risk for depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
It may be worthwhile for nursing professionals to inquire about Internet use as part of a measure of screening for depressive symptoms in teens.
Park
Sunhee
S
College of Nursing Science, and East-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea. spark@khu.ac.kr
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires