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Mzumara T. Excessive internet use as a risk factor for suicide ideation among university students in Malawi: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e2194. [PMID: 38895549 PMCID: PMC11183923 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Covid 19 has fast-paced the use of technological innovations, mainly the internet. However, Internet use can lead to several behavioral and psychological conditions, such as cyberbullying and distorted relationships, which could lead to suicide ideation. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults. Aim To assess the association between Internet addiction and suicide ideation among university students in Malawi. Furthermore, to assess the factors associated with suicidal thoughts among Malawian college students who surf the World Wide Web. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized secondary research and used data available from https://data.mendeley.com/drafts/xbfbcy5bhv. Internet addiction was measured using the Internet Addiction Test. The dependent variable includes suicide ideation. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of the 620 participants, 514 (82.2%) were aged between 15 and 24. The majority were males 401 (64.7%). The mean IAT score was 46.08 (SD = 14.60). The IAT score was 44.81 (SD = 13.85) among males and 48.40 (SD = 15.65) among females (p = 0.003). About 341 (55%) of students use the internet excessively. Suicide ideation was prevalent among 101 (16.3%) of the students. Suicide ideation was significantly associated with internet addiction. (p < 0.001). The odds of developing suicidal thoughts increased about 3 times among excessive internet users compared to average users (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.213-7.018). However, age, gender, discipline, and year of study were not associated with suicide ideation. Conclusion The study suggests that internet addiction affects suicide ideation mainly through distorting social relationships. School settings should increase awareness regarding the safe use of the internet to ensure a balance between online and real-life interactions and curb suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thokozani Mzumara
- Department of OphthalmologyMzuzu Urban Health Centre, Mzimba North District HospitalMzuzuMalawi
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Oh WO, Heo YJ. Exploring the Link Between Smartphone Overdependence, Depression, and Suicidal Behaviors Through the Mediating Effect of Lifestyle Risk Behaviors Among South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study Using National Big Data. J Pediatr Health Care 2024; 38:298-309. [PMID: 38244009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examined how lifestyle risk behaviors mediate the relationship between smartphone overdependence, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behavior in adolescents. METHOD Based on a secondary analysis of national survey data obtained in 2020 in South Korea, this study had 54,948 participating adolescents. Multiple logistic regression and mediating effect analyses were used to assess the relationships between the study variables. RESULTS Adolescents' lifestyle risk behaviors partially mediated the link between smartphone overdependence and depression (Z = 6.86, p < .001), suicidal ideation (Z = 7.04, p < .001), and suicidal planning (Z = 4.59, p < .001). DISCUSSION This is the first study to examine the mediating role of comprehensive lifestyle behaviors, not single habits, in the relationship between smartphone overdependence, depression, and suicidal behaviors. Encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents can help alleviate the link between smartphone overdependence and mental health problems.
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Luo J, Chen Y, Tao Y, Xu Y, Yu K, Anwar O, Zong Y, Chen Y, Deng T. Causal associations between digital device use and suicide risk: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:513-520. [PMID: 38244790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The popularity of digital devices seems to provide a new observational variable for early identification and prevention of suicide with the development of the information technology era. Nevertheless, whether it is the use of digital devices that alters suicide risk or suicide risk manifests itself through change digital device use needs to be further explored. METHODS Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to explore potential causal relationships in the perspective of genetic prediction. We collected publicly available digital device use and suicide risk summary statistics genome-wide association data from UK Biobank, Neale Lab and FinnGen genetic databases. We used inverse variance weighting methods to assess MR estimates. For robustness of the results, we performed further tests of heterogeneity and pleiotropy. RESULTS In the Phase 1 results, we did not observe any effect of the length of digital device use on the suicide risk, while the results of Phase 2 suggested a significant positive association between suicide risk and the length of mobile phone use (IVW OR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.01-1.06; P = 0.002), but this significance disappeared after adjusting for confounders of mental and affective disorders. CONCLUSIONS In this bidirectional MR analysis, we observed that People at high risk of suicide may be more addicted to digital device use, but more detailed GWAS data and research methods to validate this finding are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Luo
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yanmin Tao
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; School of Nursing, Tongji University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Yaxin Xu
- School of Nursing, Tongji University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Kexin Yu
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Oguz Anwar
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yueqi Zong
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yufei Chen
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tingting Deng
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; School of Nursing, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Cheng J, Peng C, Rong F, Wang Y, Tan Y, Yu Y. Mobile phone addiction and suicide behaviors among Chinese adolescents: The mediation of poor sleep quality. J Behav Addict 2024; 13:88-101. [PMID: 38224348 PMCID: PMC10988414 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Mobile phone addiction (MPA) is emerging among adolescents, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the correlation between MPA and suicide behaviors and its mechanism. The objective of the current study is exploring the direct effect of MPA on suicide behaviors and the indirect effect through poor sleep quality. Methods A total of 18,900 Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 18 were recruited via a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Results The prevalence of MPA and poor sleep quality was 26.2 and 23.1%, respectively. During the past year, 24.4% participants were involved in suicide behaviors. Specifically, suicide ideators, suicide planners, and suicide attempters were 10.7, 8.4, and 5.3%, respectively. Particularly, rural females had the highest prevalence of suicide behaviors, MPA, and poor sleep quality. Logistic regression analysis showed that MPA was significantly associated with suicide ideators (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09-1.37, p < 0.001) and planners (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34, p < 0.05), but not for suicide attempters (p > 0.05). Structural equation modelling demonstrated that MPA had direct effect on suicide behaviors (β = 0.145, 95% CI = 0.127-0.160), and poor sleep quality partially mediated the relationship (the mediating ratio was 46.7%). The mediating ratio of poor sleep quality was the highest in urban males. Conclusions MPA has both direct and indirect effects on suicide behaviors. For suicide prevention, limited mobile phone use and improvement sleep quality may be practical for adolescents. Additionally, more efforts of intervention could give priority to rural girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhan Cheng
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chang Peng
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fajuan Rong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yafei Tan
- Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yizhen Yu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wang W, Wu M, Zhu Z, Ma L, Zhang L, Li H. Associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt: findings from six universities in China. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1338045. [PMID: 38312140 PMCID: PMC10834704 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1338045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mobile phones are becoming indispensable for life and have changed various aspects of people's lives. The psychological impacts of excessive mobile phone use have emerged as an impressive problem among college students. However, little is known about the associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with students from six universities in 2022. We collected the socio-demographic characteristics, suicide ideation, suicide attempt, psychosocial factors (depressive symptoms, social support, sleep quality), and health-related characteristics (smoking, drinking, body mass index). Mobile phone addiction was ascertained by the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS). The associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt were estimated using binary logistic regression and restricted cubic splines regression. Results A total of 18,723 college students [6,531 males (34.9%) and 12,192 females (65.1%)] were included in the final analysis. Eleven percent of participants had a history of suicide ideation, and 1.8% of participants had engaged in suicide attempt. A total of 5,553 students (29.7%) met the criteria of mobile phone addiction (MPATS score ≥48), and the average score on the MPATS was 39.5 ± 13.0. After adjustment for potential covariates, mobile phone addiction was significantly associated with increased odds of suicide ideation (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.53-1.88) and suicide attempt (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.86). Gender did not affect the associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt (P for interaction > 0.05). The restricted cubic splines regression displayed a nonlinear dose-response association between MPATS score and risk of suicide ideation (P for non-linearity < 0.001), while a monotonically increasing risk of suicide attempt was found to be associated with an increasing MPATS score (P for non-linearity = 0.420). Conclusions Mobile phone addiction is associated with suicide ideation and suicide attempt among college students. The findings indicate that early examination, prevention, and intervention for mobile phone addiction may benefit the prevent and control of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Wang
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Health Industry Association Service Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingyang Wu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- Institute of Maternal and Infant health, Medical college of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Le Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shaanxi Provincial Health Industry Association Service Center, Xi'an, China
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Medical Association, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Dong WL, Li YY, Zhang YM, Peng QW, Lu GL, Chen CR. Influence of childhood trauma on adolescent internet addiction: The mediating roles of loneliness and negative coping styles. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:1133-1144. [PMID: 38186732 PMCID: PMC10768484 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i12.1133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the information age, the use of the internet and multimedia tools has large effects on the life of middle school students. Improper use of the internet may result in internet addiction (IA). Thus, actively exploring the factors influencing adolescent and the mechanism of addiction as well as promoting adolescent physical and mental health and academic development are priorities that families, schools, and society urgently need to address. AIM To explore the effect of childhood trauma on adolescent IA and to consider the roles of loneliness and negative coping styles. METHODS A total of 11310 students from six junior high schools in Henan, China, completed the child trauma questionnaire, IA test, loneliness scale, and simple coping style questionnaire. In addition, data were collected from 1044 adolescents with childhood trauma for analysis with IBM SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 28.0; we examined the relationships among childhood trauma, IA, loneliness, and negative coping styles. RESULTS We found that childhood trauma not only directly affected adolescents' IA but also affected IA through loneliness and negative coping styles. CONCLUSION Therefore, this study has theoretical implications regarding adolescent mental health and may inform interventions for IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Lin Dong
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Yi-Ming Zhang
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Qian-Wen Peng
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Guang-Li Lu
- School of Business, Institute of Business Administration, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Chao-Ran Chen
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
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Wang J, Hao QH, Peng W, Tu Y, Zhang L, Zhu TM. Relationship between smartphone addiction and eating disorders and lifestyle among Chinese college students. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1111477. [PMID: 37275494 PMCID: PMC10235600 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1111477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Smartphone addiction has been a matter of serious concern among society and parents because of its high incidence and serious negative effects. This study aimed to determine the association between smartphone addiction and eating disorders and lifestyle changes among college students. Methods The present article is a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 1,112 college students from several universities in Chengdu, China. The data were collected by using the Chinese version of the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). In addition, the information on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and smartphone use were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Results The prevalence of smartphone addiction among the students involved in the study was 22.6%, of which 10.4% were at risk for eating disorders. Female students had higher MPAI scores and EAT-26 scores than male students (p < 0.001). The proportion of male students with a risk of eating disorders was significantly higher than that of female students (p < 0.05). The total EAT-26 scores of students with smartphone addiction were higher than that of others (p < 0.001). The correlation analysis indicated that the MPAI scores were significantly positively correlated with the EAT-26 scores, depression and anxiety, difficulty in falling asleep at night, the frequency of eating fast food and drinking carbonated soft drink (p < 0.01). In addition, the MPAI scores were significantly negatively correlated with skipping breakfast and the frequency of physical activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion Smartphone addiction is significantly associated with eating disorders, eating habits, and lifestyle. The influence of dietary habits and lifestyle needs to be considered for the prevention and development of an intervention for smartphone addiction among college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing-Hong Hao
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Tu
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Oncology Treatment Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian-Min Zhu
- School of Rehabilitation and Health Preservation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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