Risk factors for internet addiction and health consequences in 15-17-year-old adolescents

UDC: 
616.1/8–053.6:681.3
DOI: 
10.21668/health.risk/2026.1.08.eng
Authors: 

O.M. Filkina, A.I. Malyshkina, O.Yu. Kocherova, A.V. Boboshko, E.A. Vorobyeva, N.V. Dolotova

Organization: 

Ivanovo Research Institute of Motherhood and Childhood named after V.N. Gorodkov, 20 Pobedy Str., Ivanovo, 153045, Russian Federation

Abstract: 

In the age of digitalization, more and more adolescents are faced with the problem of excessive internet use, making it important to predict internet addiction and associated psychosomatic disorders.

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for internet addiction and its consequences for psychosomatic health in adolescents aged 15–17 years.

A comprehensive study involved 507 adolescents aged 15–17 years attending municipal budgetary general education institutions in Ivanovo. Internet addiction was assessed using S. Chen's method; personality traits were determined using the Eysenck test, and parenting methods were assessed using E. Shafer's questionnaire "Parental Behavior and Adolescents' Attitudes Toward Them". Neurotic disorders were identified in the adolescents using the author's questionnaire. Data on somatic pathology were taken from child development records (Form No. 112/u) and schoolchild medical records (Form No. 026/u). Individual physical development was assessed using the sigma deviation method relying on local age standards. Data were statistically analyzed using conventional methods of variation statistics.

Risk factors for the formation of Internet addiction in adolescents included high level of neuroticism (OR = 11.1, 95 % CI: 4.2–29.1), an extroverted personality type (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.0–6.4), upbringing with weak positive interest

(OR = 1.75, 95 % CI: 0.48–6.3), and parental autonomy (OR = 6.2, 95 % CI: 1.5–26.3). Internet addiction is a risk factor for neurotic disorders (hyperdynamic and asthenic syndromes (OR = 5.3, 95 % CI: 2.2–12.7), phobic syndrome (OR = 2.9, 95 % CI: 1.3–6.5), compulsive movement syndrome (OR = 3.4, 95 % CI: 1.5–7.9), diseases of the eye (OR = 3.6, 95 % CI: 1.5–8.9), digestive organs (OR = 7.3, 95 % CI: 1.9–27.3), musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (OR = 3.2, 95 % CI: 1.4–7.3), and body weight deficiency (OR = 3.1, 95 % CI: 1.1–8.9).

The identified risk factors for Internet addiction and the risk factors for psychosomatic disorders in Internet addiction justify the importance of comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation for adolescents as well as a system for preventing health risks of the foregoing health disorders.

Keywords: 
adolescents aged 15–17 years, internet addiction, risk factors for internet addiction, risk factors for psychosomatic health disorders, forecasting, interdisciplinary approach
Filkina O.M., Malyshkina A.I., Kocherova O.Yu., Boboshko A.V., Vorobyeva E.A., Dolotova N.V. Risk factors for internet addiction and health consequences in 15-17-year-old adolescents. Health Risk Analysis, 2026, no. 1, pp. 86–94. DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2026.1.08.eng
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Received: 
01.10.2025
Approved: 
29.01.2026
Accepted for publication: 
26.03.2026

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