JNCR
Journal of Nursing Care Research

The mission of the journal is to contribute to the development of nursing science and care practices in Turkey and internationally. It is also to promote and disseminate new knowledge and research data for evidence-based care practices at all levels of nursing services. The Journal of Nursing Care Research deals with Fundamentals of Nursing, Internal Medicine Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Child Health and Diseases Nursing, Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Public Health Nursing and Management in Nursing and accepts articles on these topics.

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Original Article
Problematic internet use in adolescents: associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to examine problematic internet use, as assessed by the Young’s Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF), and its associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics among adolescents presenting for the first time to a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic for various reasons.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 156 adolescents aged 12-17 years who presented for the first time to the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital in Kırşehir, Turkiye, between November 2018 and May 2019. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Psychiatric diagnoses were established by a psychiatrist following clinical psychiatric assessment, based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the YIAT-SF. YIAT-SF scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Walli’s test, with Bonferroni post hoc tests for significant Kruskal-Wallis results.
Results: The mean YIAT-SF score was 29.6±9.9 (median=28.0, IQR=22.0-37.0). Although excessive internet use was the presenting complaint in only 3.8% of adolescents, 62.3% reported difficulty controlling their internet use. YIAT-SF scores did not differ significantly according to gender, education level, economic status, place of residence, psychiatric diagnosis, person deciding to seek professional help, or engagement in leisure activities (all p>0.05). Technology/internet/online gaming was reported by 35.2% of adolescents, smoking by 22.3%, alcohol use by 3.7%, and other substance/behavioural use by 11.4%. These addictive behaviours were based on self-report and did not represent clinically established addiction diagnoses.
Conclusion: YIAT-SF scores indicated varying levels of problematic internet use among adolescents presenting to child and adolescent psychiatry services for various psychiatric concerns, although excessive internet use was infrequently reported as the primary presenting complaint. The findings support the consideration of internet-use patterns as part of a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. However, given the cross-sectional design, single-center sample, self-reported addictive behaviours, and the fact that data were collected in 2019, the findings should not be interpreted as a current estimate of clinically diagnosed internet addiction. Further studies using contemporary, multicenter, and longitudinal designs are warranted.

Keywords : Adolescent, internet addiction disorder, mental disorders, adolescent psychiatry

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Ethical Statement

This study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University (Date: 27.09.2018, Decision No: 11).

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from a parent or legal guardian. Where appropriate, age-adjusted assent was also obtained from the child. The inclusion of vulnerable populations in this study adhered to national and international ethical guidelines. Extra care was taken to ensure voluntary participation, understanding, and protection of participant dignity and autonomy.

Author Contributions

Concept: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Design: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Control: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Resources: ŞŞK, DA; Materials: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Data Collection and/or Processing: ŞŞK, DA; Analysis and/ or Interpretation: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Literature Review: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Article Writing: ŞŞK, DA, ND; Critical Review: All Authors.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study.

Financial Disclosure

The authors received no financial support for the conduct or publication of this research.


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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 4, 2026
Page : 126-132
https://doi.org/10.51271/JNCR-0059
Article Information
Received : 29 Haz 2026
Accepted : 24 Eyl 2026
Published : 27 Eki 2026
Corresponding Author :

Nurcan Düzgün: Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Şermet Kaya Ş, Ayyıldız D, & Düzgün N. (2026). Problematic internet use in adolescents: associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. J Nurs Care Res, 3(4), 126-132. doi:10.51271/JNCR-0059

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