Psychiatry Investig.  2017 Nov;14(6):871-875. 10.4306/pi.2017.14.6.871.

Relationship between Problematic Internet Use and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Students Following the Sewol Ferry Disaster in South Korea

• Lee JY
• Kim SW
• Kang HJ
• Kim SY
• Bae KY
• Kim JM
• Shin IS
• Yoon JS

• KMID: 2402416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2017.14.6.871

Abstract

We investigated the association between problematic internet use (PIU) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents in South Korea. A cross-sectional survey was administered to community students who attended primary, secondary, and high schools in the Jindo area 1-2.5 months after the Sewol ferry disaster. Of the 1,744 respondents, 392 students who were exposed to the disaster, witnessing the rescue work directly, were evaluated. PTSD symptoms were measured using the University of California Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). The severity of impairment caused by excessive internet use was evaluated using Young's Internet Addiction Test. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC) were also used. Logistic regression analysis revealed that PIU was significantly and independently associated with a high level of PTSD symptoms. Our findings suggest that children and adolescents with PIU require intensive follow-up and special care to prevent the development of PTSD symptoms following a disaster.

Keyword

Disaster; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Problematic internet use; Student

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anxiety
California
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Disasters*
Epidemiologic Studies
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Internet*
Korea*
Logistic Models
Rescue Work
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*
Surveys and Questionnaires