Factors Affecting Internet Addiction and Health-Promoting Behaviors in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors : Hülya Kulakçı Altıntaş, Enise Sürücü, Funda Veren

Pages : 41-51

View : 50 | Download : 48

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study was designed to determine the internet addiction and health-promoting behavior levels of adolescents and evaluate the factors affecting these variables. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in the study, which included students at a high school located in a city in Turkey (N= 645). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Internet Addiction Scale for Adolescents, and the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale-Short Form. Results: The mean Internet Addiction Scale for Adolescents score of the participants was 20.98±6.75, while their mean Adolescent Health Promotion Scale-Short Form score was 69.76±13.34. It was found that daily time spent on the internet, sleep deprivation due to time spent on the internet, absenteeism from school due to time spent on the internet, connecting to the internet instead of participating in social activities, arguments with family due to time spent on the internet, experiencing deprivation when unable to connect to the internet, and non-health-promoting behaviors significantly increased internet addiction levels. Conclusion: It was determined that as the time spent on the internet by the participants and their internet addiction levels increased, their health-promoting behaviors decreased. Increasing internet use among adolescents carries the risk of raising internet addiction in the future and reducing health-promoting behaviors accordingly.
Keywords : Adolesan, adolesan davranışı, internet bağımlılığı, sağlığı geliştirme