A study of internet addiction and its effects on mental health: A study based on Iranian University Students
نویسندگان
1 Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2 Antai College of Economics and Management/School of Media and Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai-China
3 Department of Health Care Services and Health Education, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran
4 Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
5 Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
6 Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
7 Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
8 Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
9 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
10 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
11 Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
doi
چکیده
INTRODUCTION: The Internet has drastically affected human behavior, and it has positive andnegative effects; however, its excessive usage exposes users to internet addiction. The diagnosis ofstudents’ mental dysfunction is vital to monitor their academic progress and success by preventingthis technology through proper handling of the usage addiction.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive‑analytical study selected 447 students (232 femalesand 215 males) of the first and second semesters enrolled at Kermanshah University of MedicalSciences, Iran, in 2018 by using Cochrane’s sample size formula and stratified random sampling.The study applied Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28for data collection. The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through thet‑test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient by incorporating SPSS Statistics software version 23.0.RESULTS: The results of the current study specified that the total mean score of the students forinternet addiction and mental health was 3.81 ± 0.88 and 2.56 ± 0.33, correspondingly. The resultsrevealed that internet addiction positively correlated with depression and mental health, whichindicated a negative relationship (P > 0.001). The multiple regression analysis results showed students’five significant vulnerability predictors toward internet addiction, such as the critical reason for usingthe Internet, faculty, depression, the central place for using the Internet, and somatic symptoms.CONCLUSIONS: The study findings specified that students’ excessive internet usage leads toanxiety, depression, and adverse mental health, which affect their academic performance. Monitoringand controlling students’ internet addiction through informative sessions on how to use the Internetadequately is useful.
