Abstract citation ID: kaae014.1132
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POSTER SESSION D: PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION AND PROBLEMATIC SMARTPHONE AND INTERNET USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS; THE ROLE OF GENDER AND ETHNICITY
 
Abnous Shahverdi, n/a1 , Eric Shanazari, CHES2 , Rudy Calderon, M.Ed., BCBA3 , Kimberly Rogers, n/a4 , Stephanie Donis5 , Myriam Forster, PhD, MPH6
 
California State University, Northridge, Woodland Hills, CA; 2 California State University, Northridge, Sun Valley, CA; 3 California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA; 4 SHARE at California State University, Northridge, Valencia, CA; 5 California State University, Northridge, Panorama City, CA; 6 California State University, Northridge, Santa Monica, CA
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Background: Digital device use is integral to adolescent life; however, problematic internet (PIU) and smartphone (PSU) use can lead to mental and physical health problems, academic difficulties, and impaired socioemotional functioning. Perceived discrimination (PD), subjective perceptions that one is treated differently based on specific characteristics (i.e., sex at birth, race, or sexual orientation), is a robust predictor of poor health outcomes and health-compromising behaviors. However, to date, few studies have investigated whether there is a link between PD and PSU and PIU among adolescents or explored gender and ethnic differences in these relationships.
 
Methods: Data are (N=877) baseline survey responses from diverse rural and urban adolescents enrolled in a longitudinal study investigating social and environmental risk and protective factors for mental and behavioral health outcomes. The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version and Internet Addiction Test assessed problematic use. Multivariable and ordinal logistic regression models tested the association between PD and PSU and PIU and explored gender and ethnicity disparities in these relationships.

Results: On average, the sample was 15 years old, 54% were female, and 40% of students identified as African American, followed by non-Hispanic White (26%), Hispanic (20%), Multiethnic (8%), and Asian/ Pacific Islander (6%). Approximately 25% of participants met criteria for PSU; 38% reported mild addictive internet use; and 28% reported moderate to severe internet addiction. Every standard deviation above the mean in perceived discrimination, was associated with higher odds of PSU (AOR:1.4, 95% CI: 1.01-1.8), mild (AOR:2.2, 95% CI: 1.6-3.0), and moderate to severe (AOR:2.1, 95% CI:1.5-2.7) internet addiction, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, and state. Multiethnic and Hispanic students with higher than sample average PD were at significantly greater risk for PSU and PIU than non-Hispanic White (p < .05) students while males were at the higher risk for PIU and PSU than females across all levels of PD (p < .05).
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Conclusion: Results suggest that subjective experiences of discrimination increase risk for PSU and PIU especially among males and ethnic minority students. Given how little is known about adolescents’ online behaviors, future research should continue to explore risk and protective factors for PSU and PIU and promote greater tolerance for diversity and inclusion in school settings.
 
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Abnous Shahverdi, n/a, California State University, Northridge, Woodland Hills, CA; abnous.shahverdi.377@my.csun.edu.