Evaluation and early detection of problematic Internet use in adolescents

  1. Gómez Salgado, Patricia
  2. Rial Boubeta, Antonio
  3. Braña Tobío, Teresa
  4. Varela Mallou, Jesús
  5. Barreiro Couto, Carmen
Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915

Year of publication: 2014

Volume: 26

Issue: 1

Pages: 21-26

Type: Article

More publications in: Psicothema

Abstract

Antecedentes: el uso problemático de Internet entre los adolescentes preocupa cada vez más a investigadores e instituciones. Problemas de conducta, aislamiento social, fracaso escolar y problemas familiares son algunas de las consecuencias del impacto a nivel psicológico y conductual que ello produce. Habida cuenta del interés que el tema suscita a diferentes niveles, el objetivo de este trabajo es desarrollar una herramienta de screening para la detección precoz de uso problemático de Internet entre adolescentes. Método: se realizó una encuesta a escolares de Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria de la comunidad gallega, en la que participaron un total de 2.339 individuos. Resultados: los resultados obtenidos permiten: (1) evaluar la magnitud del problema, permitiendo conocer los niveles de riesgo existente, y (2) presentar un nuevo instrumento de screening o cribado, breve y sencillo. Conclusiones: la presente escala cuenta con suficiente aval teórico y empírico y con unas buenas propiedades psicométricas (a = ,83; especificidad = ,81; sensibilidad = ,80; Curva COR = ,90), lo cual la convierte en una herramienta de interés a nivel aplicado.

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