problematic social media use among child and adolescent psychiatry consultants: family risk factors

INTRODUCTION: the problematic use of social media (PUSM) is considered nowadays as a behavioural addiction. Social media seem to provide an ephemeral escape especially for children suffering from dysfunctional families and abuse. OBJECTIVES: To study in a population of children and adolescents followed in outpatient child psychiatry unit, the prevalence, and family risk factors related to PUSM. METHODS: a descriptive study was conducted among child and adolescent psychiatry consultants. Parents were asked to provide answers for the BSMAS (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale). We used a self-administered questionnaire and the BSMAS to assess patients’ social media’s use characteristics and the APGAR Family Test to assess their satisfaction with their family functioning. RESULTS: The prevalence of PUSM was estimated at 9.2% in our population according to the conservative approach, rising to 48.7% according to the liberal approach. APGAR Family Test scores were negatively correlated with BSMAS scores (Pearson’s coefficient= -0.37; p=0.002). Significantly higher scores were found in cases of exposure to physical (p=0.001) or moral (p=0.037) abuse and among patients who witnessed spousal violence (p=0.041), and whose parents had a lower level of education. A positive and significant correlation was found between parents’ and adolescents’ BSMAS scores (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Psychopathological fragility triggered by poor family functioning expose to the risk of PUSM. The implementation of preventive strategies and a rigorous and global management of these adolescents are imperative to fight against this disorder. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.