The structure of online behavior patterns of adolescents in Kyzyl (Republic of Tyva): age, gender and ethnic differences

Relevance. The ongoing growth of Internet addiction among adolescents in recent years indicates the scale of this problem and indicates the need to conduct large-scale epidemiological studies to study the prevalence, structural features and prevention of this type of addiction among adolescents.

Goal of research. To study the age-sex and ethnic features of the structure of online behavior patterns among adolescents in Kyzyl (Tuva Republic).

Material and methods. Random samples of adolescents 12-18 years old – students of secondary schools in the city of Kyzyl (Republic of Tyva) in the amount of 216 people were examined. The structure of online behavior patterns was assessed: adaptive (API), maladaptive (NPI) and pathological (PPI) Internet use using the scales of the Chen questionnaire: Com scale (compulsiveness), Wit (withdrawal symptoms), Tol (tolerance), IH (intrapersonal problems and health problems), TM (problems with time management), as well as integral characteristics: KSIZ (key symptoms of Internet addiction) and PSID (problems associated with Internet addiction). Indicators were compared in groups by age (12-14 and 15-18 years), gender (boys, girls) and ethnicity (Russians, Tuvans), using the program “Statistica 12 for Windows” (StatSoft Inc., USA).

Results. According to the results of the study, no age-related differences were identified for all patterns of online behavior. Gender differences in the pattern of maladaptive online behavior in girls included the Wit (withdrawal symptoms), IH (intrapersonal and health problems) and KSIZ (core symptoms of Internet addiction) scales. According to the compulsivity scale (Com), the scale of interpersonal problems and health problems (IH), Tuvan adolescents were distinguished by a higher frequency of pathological Internet use, i.e. presence of Internet addiction.

Conclusion. The study demonstrated the feasibility of using the Chen questionnaire as an informative psychodiagnostic tool for identifying adolescents at risk of developing Internet addictive behavior and individuals with an already formed pattern of pathological Internet use, i.e. Internet addicted teenagers. Adolescents at risk and Internet addicts identified using the CIAS scale of the Chen questionnaire need a set of measures aimed at leveling this type of addiction and preventing associated problems with the somatic and neuropsychic health of the younger generation.

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