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Os jovens e o uso problemático da Internet (UPI): um estudo exploratório no meio rural [Problematic Internet Use (PIU) among youngsters: An exploatory study with rural youth]

Proceedings article published in 2015 by Ana Santos, Ivone Padrão, Cátia Silva, Marina Machado, Halley M. Pontes ORCID
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Postprint: policy unknown
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Abstract

Adolescents can have some online behaviors’ (e.g. chat, play games, watch movies, shopping), which are socially acceptable and produce a state of immediate gratification. Literature discuss the advantages, for the fulfillment of tasks of adolescence, of living in a rural area where everything is closer, there is more sharing and family support, as opposed to a urban community. In this sense, the problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents is present in those who isolate themselves more, at least in face to face contact, and participate less in physical activities. The present investigation aims to analyze the relationship between the PIU and general wellbeing, in Portuguese adolescents who lived in a rural context. To this study where used the following scales: UPI (Caplan, 2010), Psychological Well-being (Fernandes, Vasconcelos-Raposo& Teixeira, 2010); Anxiety, Depression and Stress (Pais- Ribeiro, Honrado & Leal, 2004), Isolation (Russel, 1996), Sleep Disorders (Soldatos, Dikeos & Paparrigopoulos, 2000). The results showed that in a sample of 173 adolescents (M=13.7; DP= 1.469), most of them from a rural area (66%) and a higher percentage of girls (59%), have three online preferences (Music (77%); Movies and Videos (70%); Social Networks (70%) and about 17% have a PIU. PIU is directly related to: depressive symptoms (r=.174; p=.030), anxiety (r=.527; p=.000) and stress (r=.528; p=.000); isolation (r=.318; p=.000); psychological well-being (r=.200; p=.016). It will be important to develop health promotion activities, working together with the adolescents, for safe use of the internet. Data alert to the risk of psychological well-being associated with online communication and sharing.