Addictive behaviors and personality traits in adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Behavioral addictions refer to repeated dysfunctional behaviors that do not involve the ingestion of addictive substances. Studies on the association between behavioral addictions and personality traits have noted in individuals with problematic behaviors a high proclivity toward impulsivity and sensation-seeking and a low predisposition to harm avoidance. The majority of these studies have focused on adults, while far fewer have involved adolescents.


METHODS
The study population was 109 high school students (age range 15-18 years) in Turin, Italy. Participants completed an assessment that comprised a demographic questionnaire and 3 self-report questionnaires: the Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire (SPQ), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Multidimensional Questionnaire for Adolescents (QMA).


RESULTS
A gender-related difference in the risk of developing an addictive behavior was observed, with a significantly higher percentage of risk seen for several addiction tendencies among the males. Statistically significant correlations emerged between some personality determinants and certain addictive behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
The study pinpoints epidemiological indicators for the extent of this growing problem among adolescents.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings have implications for identifying protection factors and risk factors for addictive behaviors and related psychiatric disorders, and the development of primary prevention strategies derived from such factors.
Department of Neuroscience,University of Turin,Turin,Italy.
Donato
D
Munno
Department of Neuroscience,University of Turin,Turin,Italy.
Marta
M
Saroldi
Department of Neuroscience,University of Turin,Turin,Italy.
Elisa
E
Bechon
Department of Neuroscience,University of Turin,Turin,Italy.
Sara Chiara Maria
SC
Sterpone
Department of Neuroscience,University of Turin,Turin,Italy.
Giuseppina
G
Zullo
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D020407:Internet; D007439:Introversion, Psychological; D007558:Italy; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D000067489:Metacognition; D009769:Object Attachment; D010551:Personality; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Adolescence; IAT; QMA; SPQ; behavioral addiction