Cheng Fang Yen

The association between Internet addiction and problematic alcohol use in adolescents: the problem behavior model.

Abstract This study aimed to a) evaluate the association between Internet addiction and problematic alcohol use; b) based on problem behavior theory, explore whether Internet addiction, as well as problematic alcohol use, correlated with the psychosocial proneness of problem behaviors among adolescents. A total of 2,114 high school students (1,204 male and 910 female) were recruited to complete the questionnaire assessing Internet addiction, problematic alcohol use, and associated psychosocial variables. The result revealed that Internet addiction was associated with problematic alcohol use. Besides, the psychosocial proneness of problem behaviors is associated with Internet addiction as well as problematic alcohol use in adolescents. These results suggest Internet addiction might be included in the organization of problem behavior theory, and it is suggested that prevention and intervention can best be carried out when grouped with other problem behaviors.

Multi‐dimensional discriminative factors for Internet addiction among adolescents regarding gender and age

Aims:u2002 The aim of the present study was to examine the discriminative effects of sociodemographic, individual, family, peers, and school life factors on Internet addiction in Taiwanese adolescents.

Quality of life and its association with insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in remission

OBJECTIVEnThe present study aimed: (i) to compare the level of quality of life (QOL) among subjects with bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia who were in remission and healthy control subjects and (ii) to examine the association of QOL with insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics among subjects with BD and schizophrenia who were in remission by controlling other confounding factors.nnnMETHODSnThe QOL on the four domains of the World Health Organization Questionnaire on Quality of Life: Short Form - Taiwan version (WHOQOL-BREF) were compared between 96 subjects with BD in remission, 96 subjects with schizophrenia in remission and 106 healthy control subjects. The association between the four QOL domains and subjects insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics were examined using multiple regression analyses in the subjects with BD and schizophrenia in remission.nnnRESULTSnThe results demonstrated that the subjects with BD in remission had similarly poor levels of QOL in all four domains as those subjects with schizophrenia in remission, and both subjects with BD and schizophrenia had poorer QOL than those in the control group. For both subjects with BD and schizophrenia in remission, insight was negatively associated with QOL on the physical domain, and adverse effects of medication were negatively associated with QOL on the physical and environment domains. Use of atypical antipsychotics was not associated with QOL, but subjects with BD receiving olanzapine perceived better psychological QOL than those receiving risperidone and better psychological and social relationship QOL than those receiving no atypical antipsychotic.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results of the present study indicate that subjects with BD are dissatisfied with their QOL, even when they are in a remitted state. Clinicians must consider the negative influences of insight and adverse effects of medication on QOL of patients with BD and schizophrenia in remission.

The association between short and long nocturnal sleep durations and risky behaviours and the moderating factors in Taiwanese adolescents

Sleep quantity and risky behaviours are important health issues in adolescents. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between short and long nocturnal sleep durations and a variety of adolescent risky behaviours, including suicidality, violence, regular alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, truancy, unprotected sex, tattooing and criminal record of theft in a large-scale, representative population of Taiwanese adolescents, and to examine the moderating factors for the association between nocturnal sleep duration and risky behaviours. A total of 8319 adolescent students in southern Taiwan were recruited into this study and completed the questionnaires. The associations between short and long nocturnal sleep durations and adolescent risky behaviours, as well as the moderating effects of depression and socio-demographic characteristics on these associations, were examined. The results indicated that short nocturnal sleep duration was significantly associated with all risky behaviours, and long nocturnal sleep duration was significantly associated with all risky behaviours except for suicidality. Meanwhile, depression, sex, age, and maternal education level had moderating effects on the association between nocturnal sleep duration and several risky behaviours. The findings imply that professionals should investigate the concomitant risky behaviours in adolescents with short or long nocturnal sleep duration.

The relationships between body mass index and television viewing, Internet use and cellular phone use: the moderating effects of socio-demographic characteristics and exercise.

OBJECTIVEnThis study aimed to examine the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and television viewing, Internet use and cellular phone use and the moderators for these relationships in adolescents.nnnMETHODnThe relationship between BMI and the time spent on three kinds of sedentary activities and the moderators for these relationships were analyzed among 9,278 Taiwanese adolescents. The different relationships between BMI and various Internet and cellular phone-related activities were analyzed.nnnRESULTSnHigh television viewing and high Internet use were associated with increased BMI in adolescents. Exercising had a moderating effect on the relationship between BMI and television viewing. Several Internet and cellular phone-related activities were associated with increased BMI.nnnDISCUSSIONnThe results support the relationships between adolescent BMI and television viewing and Internet use. The moderating effect of exercise and various Internet and cellular phone-related activities should be considered when developing intervention strategies for overweight adolescents.

The association between problematic cellular phone use and risky behaviors and low self-esteem among Taiwanese adolescents.

BackgroundCellular phone use (CPU) is an important part of life for many adolescents. However, problematic CPU may complicate physiological and psychological problems. The aim of our study was to examine the associations between problematic CPU and a series of risky behaviors and low self-esteem in Taiwanese adolescents.MethodsA total of 11,111 adolescent students in Southern Taiwan were randomly selected into this study. We used the Problematic Cellular Phone Use Questionnaire to identify the adolescents with problematic CPU. Meanwhile, a series of risky behaviors and self-esteem were evaluated. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between problematic CPU and risky behaviors and low self-esteem regarding gender and age.ResultsThe results indicated that positive associations were found between problematic CPU and aggression, insomnia, smoking cigarettes, suicidal tendencies, and low self-esteem in all groups with different sexes and ages. However, gender and age differences existed in the associations between problematic CPU and suspension from school, criminal records, tattooing, short nocturnal sleep duration, unprotected sex, illicit drugs use, drinking alcohol and chewing betel nuts.ConclusionsThere were positive associations between problematic CPU and a series of risky behaviors and low self-esteem in Taiwanese adolescents. It is worthy for parents and mental health professionals to pay attention to adolescents problematic CPU.

Factor Structure, Reliability and Validity of the Taiwanese Version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children

The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure, internal consistency 1xa0month test–retest reliability and the discriminant validity for the diagnosis of anxiety disorder of the Taiwanese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T). A total of 12,536 Taiwanese children and adolescents in the community were recruited to examine the adequacy of the original four-factor structure of the MASC-T by confirmatory factor analysis and the internal-consistency reliability by Cronbach’s alpha across gender and age. The 1xa0month test–retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) in 105 children and adolescents in the community. The discriminant validity of the MASC-T for the diagnosis of anxiety disorder was examined in 132 children and adolescents from clinical units. The results of this study supported the four-factor structure of the MASC-T in Taiwanese children and adolescents and the four-factor structure was invariant across gender and age. The 1xa0month test–retest reliability of the MASC-T was in the satisfactory to excellent range and the internal consistency reliability of the Physical Symptoms, Harm Avoidance, and Social Anxiety scales was acceptable. The discriminant validity of the total MASC-T and the anxiety disorder index for the diagnosis of any anxiety disorder was also confirmed. These results indicate that the MASC-T is appropriate for assessing anxiety in Taiwanese children and adolescents.

Factor structure of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale in Taiwanese adolescents

BACKGROUNDnThe original study of Radloff (Appl Psychol Meas. 1977. 1:385-401) on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) indicated a 4-factor model in the adult population. However, the factor structure of the CES-D in Asian adolescents has not been extensively validated. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Chinese version of the CES-D in a large representative Taiwanese adolescent population.nnnMETHODnA total of 10 116 adolescents completed the Chinese version of the CES-D. We used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the adequacy of 5 models of the factor structure in adolescents who were divided into 4 groups by sex and age. We also enrolled the variables of suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships into the confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of the CES-D and examined the correlations between the CES-D factors and these variables.nnnRESULTSnThe results of this study indicated that the four-factor model (depressed affect, somatic symptoms, interpersonal problems, and positive affect) had the highest validity in Taiwanese adolescents. We also found that although the 4 factors of the CES-D were correlated with each other, their correlations with suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships were different.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study supported the usefulness of the Chinese version of the CES-D as a tool to understand the concept of depression in Taiwanese adolescents.

Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire

The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure, internal consistency, 1‐month test–retest reliability, and congruent validity of the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire (C‐SBEQ). Study 1, in which 5751 Taiwanese adolescents in Southern Taiwan participated, examined the adequacy of the original four‐factor structure of the C‐SBEQ using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal‐consistency reliability using Cronbach α. Study 2, in which 108 adolescents in Southern Taiwan participated, examined the 1‐month test–retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). We examined the congruent validity of the C‐SBEQ by examining the consistency between self‐reported and teacher‐ and classmate‐nominated experiences of bullying involvement in Study 2. The results of CFA supported the four‐factor structure of the C‐SBEQ in Taiwanese adolescents. The test–retest and internal reliability values of all subscales of the C‐SBEQ were at acceptable to satisfactory levels. Nominated adolescents had significantly higher self‐reported scores on three C‐SBEQ subscales than non‐nominated ones, and the levels of agreement between self‐reported and nominated victims were moderate. The results of this study indicate that the C‐SBEQ is appropriate for assessing bullying experiences in Taiwanese adolescents.

Relationship between psychosocial adjustment and executive function in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in remission: The mediating and moderating effects of insight

OBJECTIVESnThe aims of this study were to examine the relationships between executive function and psychosocial adjustment, and the mediating and moderating effects of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in clinical remission.nnnMETHODSnThe level of psychosocial adjustment was assessed in 96 subjects with bipolar disorder and 96 subjects with schizophrenia who were in remitted state. The association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment and the mediating and moderating effects of insight were examined by multiple regression analysis models and the Goodman test.nnnRESULTSnThe results indicated that executive function had direct effect on psychosocial adjustment in both subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, the mediating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was only found in subjects with schizophrenia, but not in subjects with bipolar disorder. No moderating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was found in subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results of this study indicated that executive function has an important role in psychosocial adjustment in both patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Meanwhile, insight has a different role in the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment between patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.