Comparison of the executive function of adolescents with internet addiction and healthy controls

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess executive functions of children and adolescents between ages of 12-17 who have internet addiction by using neuropsychologic tests and to compare executive functions with healthy controls. METHOD: Adolescents who are suitable for inclusion and exclusion criteria has been found by searching patient records of Ege University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department and Dokuz Eylül University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department. Cases who continue clinical follow ups and apply for the first time were invited to the study by phone. KSADS-PL clinical semi-structured interview has been applied by an experienced sertified clinician to determine whether cases have a psychiatric diagnosis and to form case groups. Sociodemografic and clinical data forms that were preparated by us according to purposes of the study were applied to all participants. In both groups Young Internet Addiction criteria have been questioned and it has been asked from cases to fill Young Internet Addiction Scale, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Scale (BDS). The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test , Stroop Test, Stop Signal Test have been applied respectively to all participants. Data from the study were statistically analysed by using IBM SPSS (The Statistical Package for Social Sciences) 22.0 packet program. Variables specified by measurement were compared using t test or Mann Whitney U test according to relevance with normal distribution. Variables spesified by count were assessed with chi square test. P value less than 0,05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: In IA group, WCST completed category, Stroop 1 time, Stroop 3 error, Stroop 4 error, Stroop5 correction subtest scores were found signifacantly lower than control group. IA group has longer SSRT, shorter SSD and mRT than control group. Probability To React During Stop Signal was found higher in IA group. In statistical analysis, Stop Signal Delay, Mean Reaction Time, Stop Signal Reaction Time, Probability To React During Stop Signal were found significantly different between groups. Conclution: Compared to the control group, significant differences in neurocognitive tests have been found in IA group. Keywords: Internet Addiction, Executive Function