DOI: 10.21045/2071-5021-2017-55-3-7

Svetlichnaya T.G., Dyachkova M.G., Kharkova O.A.
Northern State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Arkhangelsk

Contacts: Tatiana G. Svetlichnaya, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Information about authors:
Svetlichnaya T.G., http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6563-9604
Dyachkova M.G., http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0193-3147
Kharkova O.A., http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3130-2920

Acknowledgments.The study had no sponsorship.

Conflct of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abstract.

Significance. Computerization of the modern lifestyle is fraught with danger and threat to health and well-being. A wide spread of information technologies increases the risk of computer addiction. Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to adverse effects of information technologies penetration.

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to characterize behavioral patterns of using computers in adolescence.

Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the two secondary schools of the industrial district of Arkhangelsk. The study object was schoolchildren of middle and high school. The study subject was behavioral patterns of using computers among schoolchildren. The study included a total of 233 completed questionnaires which corresponds to 42.5% of the total number of schoolchildren. We used Pearson’s chi-squared test to analyze relationship between categorical variables. Level of significance was ≤ 0.05. Statistical data were processed using SPSS ver.21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and WinPEPI.

Results. The study showed that behavioral patterns of using computer technologies in adolescence are irrational. They are characterized by an extensive computer using during free time (32.6%), using computer for 4-7 hours per day or more (39.0%), or using computer mainly for entertainment (65.2%).

Irrational use of computer technologies is associated with decreased educational (20.6%), communicative (30.5%) and domestic (39.5%) activities of adolescents, and encourages unhealthy lifestyle (breaking rules of personal hygiene (25.8%), food intake (29.2%), or sleep patterns (41.6%) and leads to poor health (sleep disturbances (20.2%), headache (42.5%), and mood swings (47.2%). Furthermore, the study showed that use of computers is more common in male schoolchildren, senior school age, children from single-parent families, or children with poor parental control.

Conclusions. The study results can be used to develop prevention programs aimed at controlling computer addiction in adolescence.

Scope of application. Public health, addiction science.

Keywords: behavioral patterns; adolescence; computer technologies; unhealthy lifestyle.

References

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