197 - "I'm lonely"! Did COVID impact Problematic internet use and depression in adolescents?

Poster Number: 197
Publication Number: 197.400

Mandakini Sadhir, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States; Stephanie J. Stockburger, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States; Somu Chatterjee, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States; Aric Schadler, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States; John Bauer, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States; Hong Huang, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States

Background: There are limited studies on prevalence of problematic internet use using PRIUSS and its relationship with depression. Impact of COVID on problematic internet use is currently unknown.

Objective: Our study objective was to determine prevalence of problematic internet use using the PRIUSS questionnaire; examine the relationship between problematic internet use and depression and evaluate impact of COVID pandemic.

Design/Methods: A cross-sectional, longitudinal study was conducted at University of Kentucky Adolescent Medicine clinic between December 2019 and December 2021.The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Active consent and assent was obtained from participants  aged 12-21 years old to complete adolescent Internet Use survey, problematic and risky internet use screening scale (PRIUSS) and a center for epidemiological studies-depression (CES-D) questionnaire. Data collection included age group (12-14 years, 15-17 years, 19-21 years), gender, ethnicity of participants, responses to the adolescent internet use survey PRIUSS, and CES-D scores. Results were analyzed using Independent samples t-tests, Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Multivariable Generalized linear model looking at 2-way interaction between PRIUSS score and pre-COVID/during COVID.

Results: A total of 134 participants completed the survey of which 69 completed before March 2020 and were identified as Pre- COVID and 65 completed during COVID. Majority of participants were non-Hispanic white(n=84,62.68%), ≤17 years (n=94,70.1%) and females (n=82, 61.2%). Of the total,44%(n=59) of the participants had diagnosis of depression. Majority of the participants reported spending time on social media, online games and using smartphone or tablet right before bed on constant and frequent basis. While, most of them reported positive experiences, some participants (n=38, 28.6%) reported frequently seeing upsetting or stressful news on social media. Overall, positive PRIUSS score was seen in 33.8% (n=46) of the study population. There was no statistical difference between age group, gender, ethnicity, before vs during COVID.  Our study found significant positive correlation between PRIUSS and CES-D scores (r=0.56, p< 0.001).The slope of the relationship between PRIUSS and CES D score was significantly greater during vs prior to the pandemic(p=0.0402).Conclusion(s): Our study found higher prevalence of adolescents at risk for problematic internet use but no significant changes before and during COVID. Given significant positive correlation, it is important adolescents with depression are screened for problematic internet use
Adolescents at risk for problematic internet use pre and during COVID
Correlation between PRIUSS and CES D scores