Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Article

Association Between Digital Addiction and Physical Activity in Korean Adults Across Age Groups: An Analysis of Community Health Survey Data: Kyungsin Lee, Inmyung Song; J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(3):289-297. Published online January 24, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.683

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Objectives
Extensive research has been conducted on digital addiction, particularly concerning internet, gaming, and smartphone use among adolescents and young adults. However, there is limited information about digital addiction in adults, especially in relation to physical activity (PA). This study investigated the prevalence of digital addiction among Korean adults and explored its association with PA across various age groups.
Methods
Using data from the 2023 Community Health Survey (n=231 752), this study estimated the prevalence of digital addiction, defined as experiencing impaired daily functioning due to excessive internet, gaming, or smartphone use. PA was defined as exercise and regular walking. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between PA and digital addiction in the full sample and by age group (<40, 40-59, and ≥60 years).
Results
In 2023, the prevalence of digital addiction among adults was estimated to be 12.0%. Significantly higher odds of digital addiction were observed in younger age groups. Individuals who reported perceived stress or depression were at an increased risk for digital addiction. Conversely, PA was linked to a reduced risk of digital addiction, with odds ratios of 0.96 (p<0.05) for exercise and 0.93 (p<0.001) for regular walking. Notably, regular walking was associated with a reduced risk of digital addiction only in the 40-59 age group.
Conclusions
PA, particularly regular walking, is linked to a lower risk of digital addiction in Korean adults. Encouraging regular walking may help reduce digital addiction among middle-aged adults.

Summary

Korean summary
2023년 지역사회건강조사 자료를 분석한 결과, 한국 19세 이상 성인에서 디지털중독 유병률은 12.0%였으며, 규칙적인 신체활동은 낮은 디지털중독의 위험과 유의한 연관성이 있음을 확인하였다(운동 OR=0.96, p<0.05; 걷기 OR=0.93, p<0.001). 특히 중년층(40~59세)에서 규칙적인 걷기는 디지털중독의 위험 감소와 유의한 관련성을 보였다. 이 결과는 중년층을 대상으로 한 신체활동 증진이 디지털중독의 위험을 낮추는데 기여할 수 있음을 시사한다.

Key Message
Previous studies on digital addiction have focused on adolescents and young adults. We found that regular walking was associated with a lower risk of digital addiction, especially among adults aged 40 to 59 years. Physical activity may lower the risk of digital addiction in this age group.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Gaming Disorder in Adults: Associations With Physical Health, Mental Health, and Addictive Health Behaviors in the Czech Population
Jakub Helvich, Bibiana Jozefiakova, Kristyna Zivna, Lukas Novak, Peter Tavel, Rudra Bhandari
Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Digital Prisoner: The Impact of Digital Addiction on Technological Sports Product Addiction
Gökçer Aydın
Dede Korkut Spor Bilimleri Dergisi.2025; 3(2): 64. CrossRef

Systematic Review

Coping Mechanisms Utilized by Individuals With Drug Addiction in Overcoming Challenges During the Recovery Process: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis: Agus Setiawan, Junaiti Sahar, Budi Santoso, Muchtaruddin Mansyur, Syamikar Baridwan Syamsir; J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(3):197-211. Published online May 3, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.042

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Abstract Summary PDF

Objectives
Recovery from drug addiction often poses challenges for the recovering person. The coping mechanisms employed by these individuals to resist temptations and manage stress play a key role in the healing process. This study was conducted to explore the coping strategies or techniques that individuals with addiction use to handle stress and temptation while undergoing treatment.
Methods
A qualitative meta-synthesis approach was utilized to critically evaluate relevant qualitative research. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines were used for article selection, with these standards applied to 4 academic databases: Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and CINAHL. The present review included studies published between 2014 and 2023, selected based on pre-established inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist. This review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42024497789.
Results
The analysis of 13 qualifying qualitative articles revealed 5 major themes illustrating the coping mechanisms employed in the pursuit of recovery by individuals who use drugs. These themes include seeking social support, as well as psychological coping strategies, spiritual experiences, professional interventions, and the enhancement of awareness.
Conclusions
Among individuals with drug addiction, coping mechanisms are crucial for resisting stress and temptations throughout the recovery process. Healthcare professionals, as medical specialists, can establish more thorough and effective plans to support these patients on their path to recovery.

Summary

Key Message
This study attempts to investigate the coping mechanisms used by individuals with drug addiction during the recovery process. Through a qualitative meta-synthesis of 13 qualitative studies, we identified five main coping mechanisms: seeking social support, psychological coping strategies, spiritual experiences, professional interventions, and the enhancement of awareness. These results suggest that these coping mechanisms are important for managing stress and temptation, supporting a more holistic approach to addiction treatment.

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COVID-19: Original Article

An Observational Study in Manipur State, India on Preventive Behavior Influenced by Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic Mediated by Cyberchondria and Information Overload: Renu Bala, Amit Srivastava, Gouri Devi Ningthoujam, Thadoi Potsangbam, Amita Oinam, Ch Lily Anal; J Prev Med Public Health. 2021;54(1):22-30. Published online December 1, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.20.465

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency posing unprecedented challenges for health authorities. Social media may serve as an effective platform to disseminate health-related information. This study aimed to assess the extent of social media use, its impact on preventive behavior, and negative health effects such as cyberchondria and information overload.
Methods
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between June 10, 2020 and August 9, 2020 among people visiting the outpatient department of the authors’ institution, and participants were also recruited during field visits for an awareness drive. Questions were developed on preventive behavior, and the Short Cyberchondria Scale and instruments dealing with information overload and perceived vulnerability were used.
Results
The study recruited 767 participants with a mean age of about 45 years. Most of the participants (>90%) engaged in preventive behaviors, which were influenced by the extent of information received through social media platforms (β=3.297; p<0.001) and awareness of infection when a family member tested positive (β=29.082; p<0.001) or a neighbor tested positive (β=27.964; p<0.001). The majority (63.0%) of individuals often searched for COVID-19 related news on social media platforms. The mean±standard deviation scores for cyberchondria and information overload were 9.09±4.05 and 8.69±2.56, respectively. Significant and moderately strong correlations were found between cyberchondria, information overload, and perceived vulnerability to COVID-19.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that the use of social media as an information- seeking platform altered preventive behavior. However, excessive and misleading information resulted in cyberchondria and information overload.

Summary

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Special Article

Scientific Evidence for the Addictiveness of Tobacco and Smoking Cessation in Tobacco Litigation: Sungwon Roh; J Prev Med Public Health. 2018;51(1):1-5. Published online November 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.16.088

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Abstract PDF

Smokers keep smoking despite knowing that tobacco claims many lives, including their own and others’. What makes it hard for them to quit smoking nonetheless? Tobacco companies insist that smokers choose to smoke, according to their right to self-determination. Moreover, they insist that with motivation and willpower to quit smoking, smokers can easily stop smoking. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to discuss the addictive disease called tobacco use disorder, with an assessment of the addictiveness of tobacco and the reasons why smoking cessation is challenging, based on neuroscientific research. Nicotine that enters the body via smoking is rapidly transmitted to the central nervous system and causes various effects, including an arousal response. The changes in the nicotine receptors in the brain due to continuous smoking lead to addiction symptoms such as tolerance, craving, and withdrawal. Compared with other addictive substances, including alcohol and opioids, tobacco is more likely to cause dependence in smokers, and smokers are less likely to recover from their dependence. Moreover, the thinning of the cerebral cortex and the decrease in cognitive functions that occur with aging accelerate with smoking. Such changes occur in the structure and functions of the brain in proportion to the amount and period of smoking. In particular, abnormalities in the neural circuits that control cognition and decision-making cause loss of the ability to exert self-control and autonomy. This initiates nicotine dependence and the continuation of addictive behaviors. Therefore, smoking is considered to be a behavior that is repeated due to dependence on an addictive substance, nicotine, instead of one’s choice by free will.

Summary

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Validation Studies

Development of Internet Addiction Measurement Scales and Korean Internet Addiction Index.: Jae Sung Park; J Prev Med Public Health. 2005;38(3):298-306.

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Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVE
To develop measurement scales of Internet addiction, and propose a Korean Internet Addiction Index (K-IAI) and classification criteria for Internet addiction from the threshold scores developed. METHODS: The identification of the concept of "Internet addiction" was based on the literature review. To select the scales, an exploratory factor analysis was applied. A construct validation was tested by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a structured equation model (SEM). In testing the validity of the classification criteria, ANOVA and non-recursive models with SEM were applied. RESULTS: Out of 1, 080 questionnaires distributed, 1, 037 were returned, ; a response rate of 96%. The Cronbach-alpha of all items was over 0.75. Using an exploratory factor analysis in the condition of a 6 factor constrain as the study model proposed, 23 of the initial 28 items were identified. In testing the discriminant and convergent validity of the selected 23 scales using CFA with SEM, the Internet addiction model explained about 93% of all variances of the data collected, and all the latent variables significantly explained the designated scales. A K-IAI was proposed using the T-scores of the sum of all factor averages. In the classification of users, the basic concept was a two standard deviation approach of the K-IAI as the criteria of MMPI. The addiction group had a score > or = 70 in the K-IAI, the pre-addiction group between > or = 50 and < 70, and the average user group < 50. The Internet use times of the classified groups were statistically different in the ANOVA and multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The K-IAI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring Internet addiction. Moreover, the taxonomy of the groups was also verified using various methods.; Summary

English Abstract

Association of Internet Addiction with Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile and Perceived Health Status in Adolescents.: Jung Sook Kim, Byung Chul Chun; J Prev Med Public Health. 2005;38(1):53-60.

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Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To identify the relationship between the internet addiction of adolescents and their Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile and Perceived Health Status, and thereby to detect the impact of internet addiction on the health of adolescents, produce the basic information necessary to develop a prevention program for internet addiction and to plan for a health promotion program. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study, and the subjects were the second-grade students of three junior-high and three high schools located in the city of K in Kyung Gi Province. Out of 769 subjects, 764 completed the questionnaires (99.3%) ; 369 (48.3%) junior-high school students and 395 (51.7%) high school students. The questionnaires were composed of Young's Internet Addiction, Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile, Perceived Health Status, and general characteristics. We used t-test, ANOVA in means comparison between groups, X2-test in frequency analysis, and multiple regression analysis in multivariate analysis, using the SAS 8.1 (R) program. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile according to internet addiction status (severe addiction vs. other status, p< 0.0001). The Perceived Health Status scores was lowest in the severe addiction group (p< 0.001). There was also a significant negative correlation between internet addiction and Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (p< 0.0001). The results of multiple regression showed that Young's Addiction Score was significant for the subjects' Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile after controlling for other variables (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the severe internet addiction group had the lowest score in Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile and Perceived Health Status, which suggests that the addiction could have a negative effect on the health status of adolescents.; Summary

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