Objectives: This study was done in adolescents with a high risk of substance or internet addiction
in order to confirm the assumption that insecure attachment formation and impulsivity-inattention
problems are major risk factors in adolescent addictive behavior.
Methods: 2,188 middle and high school students including a nicotine dependent treatment
group were assessed using self-reporting scales : Adolescent Drinking Index (ADI), Fagerstrom Tolerance
Questionnaire, Young Internet Addiction Scale, Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), and
the Conner and Well’s Self-reporting Scale for ADHD (CASS) were used. Subjects were classified
into risk groups including substance addiction, internet addiction, as well as a combined group.
Results: Significant correlations were found between attachment formation and internet addiction
tendencies, with respect to dependence, anxiety, and closeness (r=-0.185, r=0.248, r=-0.147,
regard to attachment formation, the four groups showed significant differences regarding dependence
the four groups showed significant difference with respect to impulsivity-inattention problems
non-addicted group had the lowest scores.
Conclusion: Insecure attachment formation and impulsivity-inattention problems were major
risk factors for adolescent addictive behavior including internet addiction.