A1 Journal article (refereed)
Profiles of Internet Use and Health in Adolescence : A Person-Oriented Approach (2021)

Lahti, H., Lyyra, N., Hietajärvi, L., Villberg, J., & Paakkari, L. (2021). Profiles of Internet Use and Health in Adolescence : A Person-Oriented Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), Article 6972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136972

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lahti, Henri; Lyyra, Nelli; Hietajärvi, Lauri; Villberg, Jari; Paakkari, Leena

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 29/06/2021

Volume: 18

Issue number: 13

Article number: 6972

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136972

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76975

Abstract

(1) Background: Internet use has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives. It is important to understand how adolescents use the internet, and how this use is associated with demographic factors and health from a person-oriented perspective. (2) Methods: The study applied the Finnish nationally representative HBSC data (persons aged 11, 13, and 15, n = 3408), descriptive observation, latent class analysis, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. (3) Results: Entertainment activities (listening to music) and socially oriented activities (liking posts, talking online) were the most prevalent among adolescents, but gender differences emerged. Five different internet user profiles were identified (encompassing interest-driven, friendship-driven, abstinent, irregular, and excessive users). Interest-driven users participated in interest- and media-oriented activities. Adolescents in the interest-driven user group were more likely to be boys and participants with low academic achievement, high parental monitoring, and high problematic social media use. Friendship-driven users participated in socially oriented activities. Adolescents in the friendship-driven user group were more likely to be girls and participants aged 13 or 15, with high peer and family support. Abstinent users participated only in entertainment, while irregular users showed no particularly high involvement in any internet activity. Adolescents in the abstinent and irregular user groups were likely to be boys and participants aged 11 with high family support. Excessive users had high involvement in internet activities overall. Adolescents in the excessive user group were more likely to be participants with high problematic social media use and were most likely to feel low and tired on school mornings. (4) Conclusion: The study confirmed the prevalence of internet use. It identified five internet user profiles and differences between user profiles regarding individual and social factors and health outcomes.

Keywords: young people; health behaviour; media use; Internet

Free keywords: internet; internet use; adolescent; health

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1