title: Predictive factors and psychosocial effects of Internet addictive behaviors in Cypriot adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Internet addictive behaviors are associated with a plethora of psychosocial adversities. The study objectives were to assess the determinants and psychosocial correlates associated with Internet addictive behaviors among adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study design was applied among a random sample (n=805) of Cypriot adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years). Self-completed questionnaires, including Internet use characteristics, Young Internet Addiction Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were utilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the study population, the prevalence rates of borderline addictive Internet use (BIU) and addictive Internet use (AIU) were 18.4% and 2%, respectively. Adolescents with BIU had an increased likelihood of concomitantly presenting with abnormal peer relations (AOR: 5.28; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.37-23.38), conduct problems (AOR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.82-8.08), hyperactivity (AOR: 5.58; 95% CI: 2.58-12.10) and emotional symptoms (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.53-5.32). Adolescent AIU was significantly associated with abnormal conduct (AOR: 22.31; 95% CI: 6.90-72.19), peer problems (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 1.36-37.50), emotional symptoms (AOR: 19.06; 95% 6.06-60.61), and hyperactivity (AOR: 9.49, 95% CI: 1.87-48.19). The determinants of BIU and AIU included accessing the Internet for the purposes of retrieving sexual information (AOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.17-3.23) and participating in games with monetary awards (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.15-3.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both BIU and AIU were adversely associated with notable behavioral and social maladjustment among adolescents.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Critselis
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janikian
authors.forename: Noni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paleomilitou
authors.forename: Despoina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassinopoulos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kormas
authors.forename: Artemis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsitsika
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004882:Erotica / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires