The relationship between parental problematic internet use and child psychopathology

Background and Aim: Several studies suggest that majority of todays' parents use the internet for both information and social support. However, there are few studies examining the parents' PIU and psychopathology in their children. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between parents' PIU and psychopathology in their offspring. Method: Participants were 63 children between the ages of 3-6 whose parents' with PIU and 63 children between the ages of 3-6 years whose parents' without PIU. Psychopathology in children was assessed using the ECI-4 scale (Early Childhood Inventory-4). For statistical analysis of the data, Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, 21.0) was used. Results: ADHD (p=0,009), spesific phobia (0,0041) and social phobia (p=0,013) were found to be significantly higher in cases whose parents' with PIU and ADHD and peer conflict level were statistically high in children whose parents' with PIU. Based on the multiple linear regression analysis, psychopathology in children was significantly correlated with parents' hostility (p=0,030), OCD (p=0,037), social media friendship (p=0,037) and online friendships (p=0,028) (p<0,05). Conclussion: This study suggested that parents' PIU may be a risk factor for ADHD and anxiety in early childhood children. In addition, it was concluded that hostility, OCD, and friendship in social media or other online environments in parents with PIU are risk factors for psychopathology in children. Key Words: ADHD, PIU, Internet Addiction, Anxiety disorder, Spesific Phobia, Social Phobia, OCD, Hostility.