Adolescents with Internet addiction were also shown to have higher scores in neuroticism and psychoticism temperament categories than those of the control group.

There is not a study in the literature addressing the correlation between affective temperament profiles and the Internet addiction.

Our aim was to compare the affective temperament profiles and emotional and behavioural characteristics of adolescents with or without the Internet addiction.

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. It was conducted in a high school. The study sample included 303 students. A sociodemographic characteristics data form, Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (DSQ), and The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPSA) were used to collect data.

Of the sample, 6.6% were found to be addicted to Internet. Having a computer in the home (p< 0.001) was found to be related with higher scores on the IAS. The prevalence rate of anxious temperament for Internet addicts was more than that for non-addicts (p< 0.001). Dysthymic (p< 0.01), cyclothymic (p< 0.01), hyperthymic (p< 0.01), irritable (p< 0.01), and anxious (p< 0.01) temperaments; conduct problems (p< 0.05), hyperactivity-inattention (p< 0.05), emotional symptoms (p< 0.05), and total difficulties (p< 0.01) were found to be correlated with IAS scores.

There is a relation between the Internet addiction and affective temperament profiles, especialy with anxious temperament. Furthermore, emotional and behavioural problems are more frequent in adolescents who have problematic Internet use.