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Can Adverse Childhood Experiences Heighten Risk for Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use? Findings from a College Sample

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  • Myriam Forster

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA 91330, USA)

  • Christopher J. Rogers

    (Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research/Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Steven Sussman

    (Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research/Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Jonathan Watts

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA 91330, USA)

  • Tahsin Rahman

    (Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research/Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Sheila Yu

    (Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research/Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Stephanie M. Benjamin

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA 91330, USA)

Abstract

Background: College students are among the heaviest users of smartphones and the Internet, and there is growing concern regarding problematic Internet (PIU) and smartphone use (PSU). A subset of adverse childhood experiences, household dysfunction [(HHD) e.g.; parental substance use, mental illness, incarceration, suicide, intimate partner violence, separation/divorce, homelessness], are robust predictors of behavioral disorders; however, few studies have investigated the link between HHD and PIU and PSU and potential protective factors, such as social support, among students. Methods: Data are from a diverse California student sample ( N = 1027). The Smartphone Addiction Scale—Short Version and Internet Addiction Test assessed dimensions of addiction. Regression models tested associations between students’ level of HHD (No HHD, 1–3 HHD, ≥4 HHD) and PSU and PIU, and the role of extrafamilial social support in these relationships, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, SES, employment loss due to COVID-19, and depression. Results: Compared to students reporting no HHD, students with ≥4 HHD had twice the odds (AOR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.21–3.40) of meeting criteria for PSU, while students with 1–3 HHD and ≥4 HHD had three and six times the odds of moderate to severe PIU (AORs: 2.03–2.46, CI:1.21–3.96) after adjusting for covariates. Extrafamilial social support was inversely associated with PIU and moderated the HHD–PSU association for students with 1–3 HHD. Conclusion: Students exposed to HHD may be especially vulnerable to developing behavioral addictions such as PSU and PIU. Extrafamilial social support offset the negative effects of HHD for PSU among the moderate risk group; implications for prevention efforts are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Myriam Forster & Christopher J. Rogers & Steven Sussman & Jonathan Watts & Tahsin Rahman & Sheila Yu & Stephanie M. Benjamin, 2021. "Can Adverse Childhood Experiences Heighten Risk for Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use? Findings from a College Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5978-:d:567686
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kuan-Ying Hsieh & Ray C. Hsiao & Yi-Hsin Yang & Kun-Hua Lee & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Relationship between Self-Identity Confusion and Internet Addiction among College Students: The Mediating Effects of Psychological Inflexibility and Experiential Avoidance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-11, September.
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    4. Christoph Augner & Gerhard Hacker, 2012. "Associations between problematic mobile phone use and psychological parameters in young adults," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(2), pages 437-441, April.
    5. Karl Gauffin & Anders Hjern & Bo Vinnerljung & Emma Björkenstam, 2016. "Childhood Household Dysfunction, Social Inequality and Alcohol Related Illness in Young Adulthood. A Swedish National Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-12, March.
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    1. Christopher J. Rogers & Myriam Forster & Steven Sussman & Jane Steinberg & Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis & Timothy J. Grigsby & Jennifer B. Unger, 2023. "The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Problematic Alcohol and Drug Use Trajectories and the Moderating Role of Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Steve Sussman & Deborah Louise Sinclair, 2022. "Substance and Behavioral Addictions, and Their Consequences among Vulnerable Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-5, May.

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