The Relationship Between Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Internet Addiction Among Adolescents in Padang, Indonesia

Background: Internet addiction among adolescents is a global problem that causes social problems, family dysfunction, and mental disorders. Objectives: The present study aims to analyze the relationship between emotional and behavioral disorders and internet addiction among adolescents in Padang, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified random sampling technique among adolescents in several junior high schools in Padang. This study utilized the internet addiction test (IAT) by Kimberly Young and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as diagnostic instruments for internet addiction and early detection of behavioral and emotional problems. Data were analyzed using the Spearman test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multivariate linear regression. Results: A sample of 541 junior high school students in Padang city participated. The majority of respondents (55.5%) were aged 14 to 15 years, with the majority being female (56.7%). Among the cases, 42% experienced mild dependence, 45.3% experienced symptoms of difficulties, 39.6% experienced emotional symptoms, 39% experienced behavioral problems, 28.8% experienced hyperactivity, and 34% experienced problems with peers, but 83.5% had normal prosocial behavior. The study found a significant relationship between internet addiction and hyperactivity (r = 0.077, P = 0.045). There was no significant relationship between internet addiction and prosocial behavior (P = 0.530), emotional symptoms (P = 0.335), behavioral problems (P = 0.722), peer problems (P = 0.084), and symptoms of difficulties (P = 0.304). Conclusions: Internet addiction was found to be associated with hyperactivity. Most adolescents experienced difficulties in several aspects, such as emotional symptoms, problems with peers, hyperactivity, and behavioral symptoms. However, the prosocial behavior of most adolescents is in the normal category.