Relation between the skills of overcoming stress and problem solving through internet use in children with chronic disease

ABSTRACT Relation between the Skills of Overcoming Stress and Problem Solving Through Internet Use in Children with Chronic Disease Aim: Our study was made to evaluate the relation between the skills of overcoming stress and problem solving through internet use in children with chronic disease followed-up in Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital. The aim was to present the ages, aims and ways of internet use in children with chronic disease and how these behaviours effected the skills of overcoming stress and problem solving. Material and Method: 150 children between the ages of 8-18 followed up in Pediatrics clinic were included in the study. 90 patients between the ages of 8 and 18 referring to general pediatrics clinic with acute complaints were included in the control group. Data form and three scales were used for collecting research data: Problem Solving Skill Scale, Overcoming Stress Styles Scale, Life Quality Scale for Children. Information of the diseases, internet-computer-cell phone use aims and durations and how they spent their free time were questioned for the children with data form. For the statistical analysis of data, SPSS 23.0 package program was used and chi-square and F tests were applied. Findings: In our study, it was observed that children used internet mostly for music, videos and movies and series and least for reading newspapers and magazines. Children frequently preferred to use computer/internet and watch television in their free time. Reading and sports were the final choice of children for spending their free time. It was observed that children in healthy group used avoiding behaviour for problem solving skill more than children with chronic disease. It was observed that the high number of siblings and sports had a positive contribution in problem solving skill. It was observed that the children in the healthy group used desperate approach and submissive approach more frequently for overcoming stress than children with a chronic disease. It was detected that submissive approach was used more commonly for overcoming stress in children who define themselves as poor in socioeconomic terms, don't go to school or have irregular attendance or have medium or poor level of school success. As the time they spend on internet and the computer increases, it was detected that children who don't have reading habit used submissive approach more. In our study, it was observed that as hospitalization prevalence increased, social and emotional wellbeing conditions were affected negatively and a decrease was detected in school functionality as the time spent on internet increased. Result: Cell phone, computer and internet usage ratios were found similar and high in ill and healthy children. Computer/internet use and television watching times should be limited for children and their reading and sports habits should be supported. We think that they would thus be more successful in problem solving skills and coping with stress. Children should spend more time with their families, gain reading habit and the time they spend on the internet/computer should be limited so that they can cope with stress better. Keywords: Chronic Disease, Internet Use, Overcoming Stress, Problem Solving, Life Quality.