Neuropsychological features of adolescents with Internet-addictive behavior

The aim of this study was to investigate neuropsychological features of adolescents with the Internet-addictive behavior. The sample comprised 756 adolescents with 316 females (40,2%) and 340 males (59,8%). The mean age was 15,5 years. The main experimental group (42 adolescents) included only those respondents who had high levels of Internet addiction combined with the objective data from the questionnaire. The control group consisted of adolescents with no signs of Internet-dependent behavior of comparable age and sex (50 adolescents). The main group was formed by analyzing results of the IAD test (K. Young), the CIAS test (Chen) and objective data obtained from interviews with adolescents, their parents and teachers. Neuropsychological features revealed by conducting adapted neuropsychological test for adolescents (based on the Luria-90). Adolescents with Internet-addictive behavior significantly differ from healthy on indicators of functional disorders: attention, control and regulation of activities and mediated memorizing. Correlating this data with localization features, we note the functional weakness of hemispheric commissures and left anterior lobe and weakness of the first block of the brain (Luria). Adolescents with Internet-addictive behavior from the point of view of neuropsychology are characterized by functional disorders spatial praxis, attention, control and regulation of activity and mediated memorizing. Also they have functional weakness of hemispheric commissures and the first block of the brain.

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