The Association Between Internet Addiction and Adolescents' Mental Health: A Meta-Analytic Review.

ABSTRACT: This study examines the association between problematic internet use, or internet addiction, and adolescent mental health, focusing on key psychological variables, assessing the strength of these associations, and identifying potential moderating factors.

Methods

A search of the Web of Science databases over the past five years identified 830 articles. Of these, 33 met the inclusion criteria, involving 303,243 participants (average age 14.57; 49.44% female). The selection process was verified by two researchers.

Results

Nine psychological variables were analyzed: depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal behaviour, psychological well-being, self-esteem, externalizing problems, aggressiveness, and impulsiveness. Internet addiction showed positive correlations with aggressiveness (

SUBMITTER: Soriano-Molina E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11851916 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature