Comorbid Symptoms of Internet Addiction Among Adolescents with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Study

Over the last decade, research into the characteristics of problematic internet use among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has greatly increased. We investigated Internet addiction’s prevalence and compared its related factors, among adolescents with and without ASD. Outpatients (n = 102) aged 12–15 years, completed the Basic Information Questionnaire, Internet Addiction Test, and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report Japanese version. Their parents completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV. Scores of both (ASD and without ASD) groups were analyzed. Prevalence of Internet addiction was 40.0% in ASD group and 23.9% in without ASD group. Statistically related factors of Internet addiction were not found in the ASD group. However, factors of Internet addiction were related to the QIDS and ADHD-RS scores in the without ASD group. In conclusion, factors related to Internet addiction differed for ASD patients and without ASD patients.