فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) is a severe problem, especially in academic communities.The association between IA and unfavorable emotional conditions (e.g., anxiety, stress, anddepression) can harm students’ relationships and academic and career performance. The presentstudy evaluated (a) the prevalence of IA in a sample of medical sciences university students; (b) theassociation between IA and depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders; and (c) the associationbetween demographic characteristics and IA, depression, anxiety, and stress.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross‑sectional study, 268 students from AbadanUniversity of Medical Sciences were selected using Morgan Table. The participants responded tothe Young Internet Addiction Test, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales‑42, and the PittsburghSleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient,independent sample t‑test, one‑way ANOVA, and least significant difference.RESULTS: The mean score of IA was 45.65 ± 35.40. IA was found to be significantly related todepression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders (except for sleep disturbance) (P < 0.001). Maleswere found to be more likely than females to suffer from IA, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleepdisorders. Furthermore, age was inversely related to IA, depression, and stress. Finally, medicalsciences students suffered from depression, anxiety, and stress more than students majoring inother fields.CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous occurrence of IA and depression, anxiety, stress, and sleepdisorders in students indicates that IA is associated with other psychological problems. Therefore,researchers and policymakers need to identify preventive measures to help internet‑addicted students.