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Objective: We aimed to examine the association between suicidal behavior and Problematic Internet Use (PIU) in a clinical adolescent population and additionally to examine whether PIU mediate the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal behavior.
Methods: The study sample consisted of (n=120) MDD patients and a control group (n=100). Members of the MDD group were newly diagnosed. Suicide ideation and suicide attempts were evaluated, and socio-demographic data were collected. Additionally, Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT), and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) were applied.
Results: The results showed that PIU rates (χ2=27.26, p<0.001) and the YIAT scores (t=7.54, p<0.001) were significantly higher in the MDD cases than in healthy controls. In terms of PIU rates, the comparison of MDD patients with and without suicidal attempt revealed that there was no significant difference between groups (χ2=2.35, p=0.188). However, the YIAT scores were found significantly higher in the MDD group without suicidal attempt than in those with suicide attempt (t=2.17, p=0.032). When comparing the MDD cases with and without suicidal ideation, there was no significant difference between these groups both in terms of PIU rates (χ2=0.04; p=0.837) and YIAT scores (t=0.21; p=0.830). MDD cases with and without PIU were compared regarding to the CDI and SPS scores. Hopelessness subscale score of SPS were found to be significantly higher in the MDD group with PIU (t=3.10; p=0.002). Finally no significant difference was found between the groups concerning the CDI scores (t=1.11; p=0.271).
Conclusion: We suggest further studies with larger sample sizes sample of adolescents. Preferably, a prospective approach needs to be conducted to confirm these results as well as establishing strategies for better detection and management of PIU and suicidal behavior when working with adolescents with MDD.