scholarly journals An era of digital slavery: a study on internet addiction among professional college students of Hassan, Karnataka

Author(s):  
Subhashini K. J. ◽  
Praveen G.

Background: The spectacular growth of technology has made Internet use, the most popular recreational and academic activity for the college students. With the rise of new-generation gadgets, the risk of “internet addiction” is a significant issue of concern. Internet addiction leads to social and psychological problems such as depression, loneliness, low self-esteem and life satisfaction and other mental health problems and a greater impact on their academics. The objective of the study was to determine the association between internet addiction and depression and to know the effect of gender on internet addiction.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the professional course students from Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (Government Medical College) and Government Engineering College. A total of 300 students were assessed for internet addiction using Young’s internet addiction test and depression was assessed using Beck’s depression inventory-II.Results: Out of the 300 professional college students, 173 (57.7%) were found to be internet addicted and 67 (38.7%) among them were found to be depressed and a statistically significant association (p<0.05, OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.02–6.39) was found. Males were found to be more addicted than females and it was statistical significant.Conclusions: Internet Addiction is common among the college students and adequate steps have to be taken to prevent the students from falling into addiction which is considered as a mental health issue. Knowledge regarding the safe use of internet has to be provided to students. 

Author(s):  
Rupesh D. Shinde ◽  
Shekhar S. Rajderkar

Background: Internet addiction was first studied in 1996 and findings were presented to American Psychological Association. Recent studies examined the prevalence of Internet addiction and investigated its causes. Internet users in India are around 205 million. Internet usage among medical students is high. Internet addiction has both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. This study aims to understand the patterns of internet use and its effects on mental health among medical college students. The objectives of the study were to study the patterns of internet usage among medical college students and to study the depression in them and its relation to internet usage.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in government medical college. Taking prevalence of mild internet addiction 34% from previous Indian studies, minimum sample size of 90 was calculated. 23 students of 1st, 2nd 3rd year and internship were randomly chosen for study. Pretested Young’s 20-item IAT scale and DASS 21 questionnaire was used for the study. Statistical analysis was done using percentage and chi square test.Results: Mild internet addiction was found in one third of medical students. Depression is seen in 61% of students with internet addiction.Conclusions: Internet addiction is affecting mental health of medical students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna Silwal ◽  
Dipti Koirala ◽  
Sabita Koirala ◽  
Anju Lamichhane

Introduction: Mental health is as important as physical health to respond to COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has increased social isolation and fear regarding health and well-being as well as a dilemma which can lead to mental health problems among general people and health workers.Thus the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among nurses working in a hospital of Nepal during the period of Corona lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 152 nurses working at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre of Kaski district of Nepal. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic items and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) scale from 11 April to 18 April, 2020. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 applying descriptive statistics and inferential statistical method. Results: Respondent's mean age and SD was 24.09 + 3.19 years. The sample mean score of DASS-42 was 29.46 (SD 25.37). Depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among 39.5%, 50% and 25.7% of the respondents respectively. There was significant association of depression with education level (χ2 =6.597; p=0.01) and working unit (χ2 =8.187; p=0.004). Anxiety was significantly associated with working unit (χ2 =6.973; p=0.008) and children status (χ2 =4.199; p=0.040). Stress was significantly associated with age (χ2 =4.906; p=0.027), working unit (χ2 =4.984; p=0.026) and children status (χ2 =5.653; p=0.017). Conclusion: Based on findings, it can be concluded that some degree of depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Further assessment should be made to confirm the respective diagnoses. Stress and anxiety relieving sessions and psychological support programs may help for the nurses with higher than cut-offs.


Author(s):  
Prashant Bagdey ◽  
Hemant Adikane ◽  
Uday Narlawar ◽  
Dadasaheb Dhage ◽  
Kishor Surwase ◽  
...  

Background: The Internet has become an integral part of life. India is the third largest country in the world next to china and United States in respect of the number of internet users. Adolescents usually have poorer self- control, worse self-regulation, and poorer cognition as compared to adults and are considered the most vulnerable group to the temptations of the internet. Objective of the study was to understand the patterns, preferred use of internet, prevalence Internet addiction and its effect on their mental health status among college students in Nagpur.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in different colleges across in the Nagpur corporation during the period Dec 2016 to May 2017. Pre-validated, pre-tested, structured questionnaire was developed. Young’s 20-item scale for Internet addiction (YIAT) was applied to qualify for the prevalence of Internet addiction. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire has excellent psychometric properties as a screening instrument for psychiatric disorders in nonclinical settings.Results: This study of college students aged 17-25 years with marginally high male representation (51.92%), identified 30.69%, 26.60% and 0.26% students with mild, moderate and severe Internet addiction respectively. Those who are having internet addiction are two times at a risk of having poor mental health (OR = 2.28, p = 0.01).Conclusions: Disproportionate Internet use is an evolving issue among college going students as our study have highlighted that excessive use of the Internet undesirably affects one’s physical and mental health and social well-being. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Kikkeri Hanumantha Setty ◽  
Thota Rajasekhar ◽  
Pankaja Raghav ◽  
Jitender Aneja ◽  
Manoj Kumar Gupta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Globally, the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) varies from 6% to 58% and emerging as a significant behavioural addiction pandemic often coexisting with psychological problems. This study was done to estimate the prevalence and predictors of internet addiction among undergraduate college students of Jodhpur city. Methods Cross sectional study was done among 2035 college students of Jodhpur city between August 2018-October 2019. The study tool consisted of self-administered questionnaire including socio-demographic details, Young’s internet addiction scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and DASS 21scale. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using SPSS v.23. Results The prevalence of internet addiction was 51.0% (95% CI:48.8%-53.2%). Depression, anxiety and stress were highly correlated (r &gt; 0.7). Hence, 3 separate binary logistic regression models were constructed. The predictors of IA common among all 3 models were male sex, age ≥20 years, age at first internet use ≤15 years, urban origin, accessing internet at college, mobile internet use, preference to make online friendship and sleep disturbance. Staying in hostel or paying guest accommodation was predictor in model 2 and 3. Students who screened positive for Depression, anxiety and stress had higher odds of IA. Conclusions Nearly half of study participants were internet addicts. IA was associated with depression, anxiety, stress and sleep disturbance. Key messages The study highlights the need for screening and management of both internet addiction and associated mental health problems with special focus on males and those staying away from home.


Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Jaroslava Dosedlova ◽  
Denise Andrzejewski ◽  
Greta Kaluzeviciute ◽  
Makoto Sakai

AbstractPsychological stress has become a major concern, potentially leading to diverse health problems including psychopathology such as depression and anxiety. Transactional Model of Stress and Coping is an established model, conceptualizing stressful experiences via person–environment relationship. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the pathway from stress to depression/anxiety, with a focus on self-criticism (inadequate-self and hated-self) and self-reassurance (reassured-self) in Czech students who suffered from high prevalence of mental health problems. Convenience sample of 119 undergraduates completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and the Forms of the Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale. Correlation and path analyses were conducted. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used to aid an accurate and complete report of the study. Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated with inadequate-self and hated-self while negatively associated with reassured-self. Both inadequate-self and hated-self partially mediated the stress–depression and stress–anxiety relationships, whereas reassured-self only partially mediated the stress–depression relationship. Inadequate-self had greater impact on the stress–depression/anxiety pathways than hated-self and reassured-self. Findings indicate that clinical treatment may benefit from targeting the feelings of inadequacy to prevent stress progressing to psychopathology. This is particularly relevant as stress levels are rising globally. Our findings offer developments to the Transactional Model, and help practitioners and educators identify solutions to protect mental health of Czech university students.


Author(s):  
Ruth D Neill ◽  
Carolyn Blair ◽  
Paul Best ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Cherie Armour

Abstract Aim As individuals adjust to new ‘norms’ and ways of living during the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a continuing need for up-to-date information and guidance. Evidence suggests that frequent media exposure is related to a higher prevalence of mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to determine whether COVID-19 related media consumption is associated with changes in mental health outcomes. Methods This paper presents baseline data from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study. The cross-sectional study data was collected using an online survey following the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with some other basic information collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of socio-demographic and media specific factors on anxiety and depression. Results The study suggested that media usage is statistically significantly associated with anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales with excessive media exposure related to higher anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion This study indicated that higher media consumption was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Worldwide it should be acknowledged that excessive media consumption, particularly social media relating to COVID-19, can have an effect on mental health. However, as this was a cross-sectional study we cannot infer any directionality as we cannot infer cause and effect; therefore, future research involving longitudinal data collection and analyses of variables over time is warranted.


2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106955
Author(s):  
Kim M E Janssens ◽  
Jaap van Weeghel ◽  
Carolyn Dewa ◽  
Claire Henderson ◽  
Jolanda J. P. Mathijssen ◽  
...  

ObjectivesStigma may negatively affect line managers’ intention to hire people with mental health problems (MHP). This study aims to evaluate line managers’ knowledge and attitudes concerning job applicants with MHP, and to assess which factors are associated with the intention (not) to hire an applicant with MHP.MethodsA sample of Dutch line managers (N=670) filled out a questionnaire on their knowledge, attitudes and experiences concerning applicants/employees with MHP. Descriptive analyses and multiple regression analyses were used.ResultsThe majority (64%) was reluctant to hire a job applicant with MHP, despite the fact that only 7% had negative and 52% had positive personal experiences with such employees. Thirty per cent were reluctant to hire an applicant if they knew the applicant had past MHP. Associated with higher reluctance to hire an applicant with MHP were the concerns that it will lead to long-term sickness absence (β (95% CI)=0.39 (0.23 to 0.55)), that the employee cannot handle the work (β (95% CI)=0.16 (0.00 to 0.33)) that one cannot count on the employee (β (95% CI)=0.41 (0.23 to 0.58)) and higher manager education level (β (95% CI)=0.25 (0.05 to 0.44)). Conversely, associated with positive hiring intentions was being in favour of diversity and/or inclusive enterprise (β(95% CI)=−0.64 (−0.87 to −0.41)).ConclusionsAs the majority of managers were reluctant to hire applicants with MHP, and even 30% were reluctant to hire applicants who had past MHP, these findings have major implications for social inclusion in the Netherlands, where about 75% of employees would disclose MHP at work.


2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka-Fai Chung ◽  
Samson Tse ◽  
Chit-Tat Lee ◽  
Michael Ming-Cheuk Wong ◽  
Wing-Man Chan

Background: Public expenditure on mental health education has grown exponentially in the past two decades. Does the experience of stigma among people with mental health problems improve over time? Our study aims to compare the levels of perceived stigmatization, rejection experiences and stigma–coping among mental health service users in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2017 using longitudinal and repeated cross-sectional study design. Method: The baseline survey was completed by 193 psychiatric outpatients in 2001. They were traced for re-assessment in 2017. Another sample of 193 outpatients matched in age, gender and psychiatric diagnosis was recruited in 2017 for cross-sectional comparison. Participants completed a 39-item questionnaire on stigma experiences, Beck Depression Inventory and Disability Assessment Schedule at both time points. Results: In total, 109 of 193 participants (56.5%) of the 2001 survey were re-assessed. No significant change in perceived stigmatization, rejection experiences and stigma–coping was found among the 109 participants interviewed in 2001 and 2017. For cross-sectional comparison, significant differences in two perceived stigma items were observed upon Bonferroni correction (chi-square test, p < .005) and remained significant after controlling for confounding factors by regression analysis. Improvements in perceived stigmatization were on marriage and friendship, while viewpoints on trustworthiness, dangerousness, devaluation, avoidance and personal failure remained unchanged, and there was no improvement in rejection experiences and stigma–coping. Conclusion: Positive attitude changes over time are unlikely to occur if there is no targeted intervention on stigma. Our findings highlight that evidence-based antistigma interventions are urgently needed.


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