Patterns of aggressive behaviors and Internet use in outpatients at Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, Excessive use of internet affects physical, emotional, behavioral health problems such as aggression, disability, relationships with others, and responsibility. There are no studies on aggressive behavior patterns and patterns of Internet us at outpatient psychiatric patients in Thailand.

Objectives: To study association of patterns of aggressive behaviors and Internet us. Factors related to aggressive behaviors and Internet usage behavior in outpatients who attended child and adolescent psychiatric services at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

Methods: The cross sectional descriptive study conducted with 117 participants recruited from parents visiting at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, from March to July, 2017. The research questionnaire consisted of demographic data form, patterns of internet usage, Overt Aggression Scale for objective rating of verbal and physical aggression (OAS). The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square tests.

Results: The aggressive behaviors of Internet users were found at low level, moderate level and high level 52.1%, 26.5%, 21.4%, respectively. Aggressive behaviors were significantly related to Internet use. Factors related to aggressive behaviors were parental divorce and parenting style; inconsistent discipline.

Conclusion: Aggressive behaviors were related to Internet use behaviors. The results of this study will be useful in the planning of care for children and adolescent psychiatric patients. It’s important to promote discipline in care and rules for using the Internet to reduce aggressive behaviors.