Autistic Traits and Internet Use Disorder Tendencies in the Middle East: Insights from Qatar

Several studies have observed a small positive association between higher autistic traits and generalized Internet Use Disorder (IUD) tendencies, as well as with specific IUDs such as social network use disorder and Internet gaming disorder. The present study examines these relationships in a population from the Middle East region, specifically Qatar, which is underrepresented in existing research on this topic. Among 242 adult participants, small positive correlations were observed between autistic traits and unspecified IUD. Moreover, there were small positive correlations between higher autistic traits and tendencies towards social network use disorder. Notably, the study demonstrates that depressive symptoms mediate these associations. This research offers valuable insights from a less-studied population, contributing to the broader discourse on autistic traits and IUDs. However, limitations such as the relatively small sample size, cross-sectional design, and reliance on self-report measures should be considered when interpreting these findings, as they may impact the stability and generalizability of the results.