The Effect of Problematic Internet Use, Internet Gaming Disorder and Cyberbullying/Victimization Levels on Self-esteem in Obese Adolescents


Doğan H. E., AKTEPE E., Işık Ü., PİRGON M. Ö.

JCRPE Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, cilt.17, sa.4, ss.419-427, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2025.2024-10-20
  • Dergi Adı: JCRPE Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.419-427
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Obese adolescents, self-esteem, problematic internet use, internet gaming disorder, cyberbullying/victimization
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: To compare the levels of problematic internet use, self-esteem, internet gaming disorder (IGD) and cyberbullying/victimization in adolescents diagnosed with obesity with a control group and to examine the relationship between these variables and self-esteem. Methods: Adolescents with and without obesity were recruited. The relationship between the scales of Problematic Internet Use, Cyberbullying/Victimization, IGD and the Piers-Harris Self-Esteem Scale was analyzed using linear regression methods. Results: The study included a total of 164 adolescents (115 females; 70.1%). Of these, 93 (56.7%) were diagnosed with obesity (female n=64; 68.8%). Self-esteem in adolescents diagnosed with obesity was lower compared to healthy controls (p<0.001), and problematic internet use was higher in obese individuals compared to healthy controls (p=0.011), although no difference was found between the groups in terms of IGD (p=0.494) and cyberbullying/victimization (p=0.706) levels. In obese individuals, cyber forgery (p=0.003; β=-0.103) and verbal cyberbullying victimization (p=0.032; β=-0.057), IGD withdrawal subscales (p=0.03; β=-0.084), and total scores on the cyberbullying scale (p=0.017; β=-0.289) were found to negatively affect self-esteem. Conclusion: These findings suggest that taking measures to reduce problematic internet use, IGD, and cyberbullying/victimization in obese adolescents may be a protective measure for self-esteem and, consequently, mental health.