title: The association between Internet addiction and personality disorders in a general population-based sample.
abstract: Background and aims Data on Internet addiction (IA) and its association with personality disorder are rare. Previous studies are largely restricted to clinical samples and insufficient measurement of IA. Methods Cross-sectional analysis data are based on a German sub-sample (n = 168; 86 males; 71 meeting criteria for IA) with increased levels of excessive Internet use derived from a general population sample (n = 15,023). IA was assessed with a comprehensive standardized interview using the structure of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder as suggested in DSM-5. Impulsivity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and self-esteem were assessed with the widely used questionnaires. Results Participants with IA showed higher frequencies of personality disorders (29.6%) compared to those without IA (9.3%; p < .001). In males with IA, Cluster C personality disorders were more prevalent than among non-addicted males. Compared to participants who had IA only, lower rates of remission of IA were found among participants with IA and additional cluster B personality disorder. Personality disorders were significantly associated with IA in multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comorbidity of IA and personality disorders must be considered in prevention and treatment.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck , Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zadra
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck , Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Gallus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bischof
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck , Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Besser
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck , Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bischof
authors.affiliation: 2 Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: 2 Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald , Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck , Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rumpf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: ADHD; IA; impulsivity; personality disorders; self-esteem