scholarly journals Internet Addiction and Psychological Health in Adolescent Indian Medical Students- A Cross Sectional Study

Author(s):  
Megha Agrawal ◽  
◽  
Sowmya Rajaram ◽  
Girija Kumar ◽  
◽  
...  

Background: With the inclusion of Internet in daily lifestyle, it has become crucial to explore its purpose, effects on mental health and to understand the implications. As adolescence is a vulnerable age group, this study has taken Indian medical students in late adolescence to understand how Internet impacts their lives. Objectives: 1. To explore the severity of problematic Internet use ‘PIU’ in Indian medical students. 2. To assess its effects on psychological health and loneliness. 3. To correlate problematic Internet use with the purpose of use. Materials And Methods:185 first MBBS students of BMCRI (Mean age- 18.075 years) were administered 4 questionnaires- Young’s Internet Addiction test, UCLA loneliness questionnaire (Version 3), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and a self administered questionnaire to assess purpose of Internet usage. Results: Out of 185 students, 67 were average users who showed control over their use of Internet and 118 had PIU (113 with frequent, 5 with significant problems). Significant positive correlation was found between PIU and psychological morbidity (r=0.3442, p<0.0001) as well as loneliness (r=0.2045, p= 0.0051). Daily average use of Internet was mostly for social media (51.2%) followed by academics (20%), others (20%) and gaming (8.2%). PIU was significantly positively correlated to social media usage (r=0.2666, p= 0.0002) as well as negatively correlated to academics (r= -0.372, p<0.0001). Conclusion: In our study, PIU was positively correlated to poor psychological health, loneliness and use for social media. It showed negative correlation with academics. This may suggest that PIU is linked to psychosocial implications. It may be worthwhile correlating purpose of use with severity of PIU. Social media seems to be of importance in India as opposed to China, where gaming is the major concern. As some activities could be more addictive than others leading to dysfunctional lifestyle, Internet use must be regulated and used judiciously.Method: A total of 22 patients (out of initial 24 referrals) who met DSM IV criteria for MDD were enrolled into the study. The subjects all had to fail at least one prior treatment for depression. The patients received the FDA approved protocol of high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Results: Seventeen cases out of twenty-two cases showed significant improvements after two weeks of treatment. Only six patients continued their treatments for the next two to four weeks. Conclusions: We have replicated other studies showing that using rTMS is effective with no major side effects for many patients with MDD and their improvements are measurable mostly after two weeks. Our data highlights the importance of application of more convenient protocols which require fewer sessions on fewer days to help with compliance and outcome particularly in large populated cities and countries like Iran going through economic hardship.

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 750-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Schmidt ◽  
Michelle Valdez ◽  
Maureen Farrell ◽  
Frank Bishop ◽  
Warren P Klam ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Problematic use of video games, social media, and Internet-related activities may be associated with sleep deprivation and poor work performance. The Internet Addiction Test was given to military medical and nursing students and housestaff to assess problematic Internet use. Methods Medical and nursing students at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and residents from Naval Medical Center San Diego were contacted via email (n = 1,000) and given a survey that included the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and questions asking about other specific lifestyle variables. Individuals who received an Internet Addiction Score (IAS) ≥50 were identified as likely experiencing harmful effects of Internet addiction (IA). Results Of 399 surveys submitted, 68 were omitted due to gross incompletion or failing to finish the entirety of the IAT. Of the participants included, 205 (61.1%) were male and 125 (37.9%) were female. The mean age was 28.6 years old (S.D. = 5.1 years). In regards to training status, completed surveys were assessed for 94 medical residents, 221 School of Medicine students, and 16 Graduate School of Nursing students. Our survey showed 5.5% of the participants (n = 18) indicated problems with Internet use that are concerning for IA. Conclusions The study results indicated that our population showed problematic Internet use in the lower range of global estimates of IA. Rates of IA further decreased between medical students and residents. Multiple lifestyle variables were significantly associated with IA score and may serve as indicators of a higher score. Interestingly, the use of social media during sleeping hours was most significantly associated with increased IAS. This paper discusses IA among military medical and nursing trainees and how problematic Internet use may affect work performance and force readiness.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megha Agrawal ◽  
Sowmya Rajaram ◽  
Girija B

BACKGROUND As per global reports, India has seen the largest growth in use of Internet in 2019. Therefore, it has become crucial to understand how Internet affects our life. There is significant variation in the way Internet is used worldwide. The mechanisms and causal relationships are not very clear. Not many studies on Internet addiction have been done in India. Hence this study has been done to assess the effect of Internet on the sleep pattern of students in their late adolescence, as they are most vulnerable to the effects of Internet at this age. OBJECTIVE 1. To find the extent of problematic Internet use in first year medical students 2. To explore its effects on cognition and sleep. METHODS 100 students of BMCRI, aged 17-20 years were administered 2 questionnaires – Davis online cognition scale (DOCS) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire (PSQI) to assess Internet addiction and sleep respectively. RESULTS Out of 100 medical students, Problematic Internet usage/ PIU was found in 46% students with slight preponderance in males. 84% students had good sleep. There was significant positive correlation of DOCS scores with its all four cognitive dimensions/subscales - social comfort, loneliness/depression, diminished impulse control and distraction (r≥ 0.9, p<.0001). DOCS scores were very highly significantly worse in PIU group in both the sleep categories (p<.0001). However sleep had no significant correlation with PIU. ( r= -0.0463, p=.65). CONCLUSIONS 46% of the medical students showed problematic Internet usage with significant correlation with distraction, impulsivity, depression/ loneliness and dependence on Internet for social comfort. However, sleep was good in the study population with no significant correlation with PIU. Thus, contrary to popular belief, judicious use of Internet may not lead to maladaptive patterns of sleep. The psychosocial factors linked to Internet use need to be further explored in more diverse groups with a deeper insight into its mechanism, effects, individual variation and regulation. This may help alleviate the adverse effects on Internet on human cognition. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932199865
Author(s):  
José-María Romero-Rodríguez ◽  
José-Antonio Marín-Marín ◽  
Francisco-Javier Hinojo-Lucena ◽  
Gerardo Gómez-García

The problematic Internet use (PIU) has become a topic of special relevance since it is a problem that affects the whole world. It has been detected that the population at greatest risk is university students along with adolescents. At the same time, Spain is one of the countries with the highest PIU rate. The purposes of this article were to analyze the presence and degree of Internet addiction among university students and to check the sociodemographic factors that influence the PIU. To this end, 13 hypotheses were put forward and contrasted using a structural equation model. The study adopted a cross-sectional approach by applying the Internet addiction test to a sample of undergraduate students in southern Spain ( n = 1,013). The results indicated a prevalence of PIU among students of almost 12.5% and with a moderate degree of addiction. In turn, the following hypotheses that had a significant effect on the PIU were supported: gender; field of knowledge; living in the parents’ home; Internet daily use for leisure; Internet daily use for academic purposes; number of social networks; sexual orientation; marital status. Finally, the main findings of the study were reviewed, and the main recommendations and implications for mitigating the negative effects of technology and enhancing the positive ones were established.


Author(s):  
Habibolah Khazaie ◽  
Javad Yoosefi Lebni ◽  
Jaffar Abbas ◽  
Behzad Mahaki ◽  
Fakhreddin Chaboksavar ◽  
...  

Background In recent years, Internet and social media technology use have emerged as an integral tool of human society, and the evolution of technological integration, cyberspace, and web-technology has become a common practice in educational institutions. Internet usage among students has played an indispensable role in learning behavior; however, the excessive usage of the internet and social media leads to internet addiction. This original study has performed a focalized scrutiny on revealing relationships between internet addiction and associated factors among the students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmaceutical departments. Methods This descriptive and analytical study recruited medical students from the Self-governing Education Incubator of Kermanshah. This survey distributed questionnaires among the respondents’ three departments, and this statistical data reported on 420 valid responses of the respondents. They represent first and second-semester medical students of the academic year 2017–2018. The study selected medical students by applying Cochran's Sample Size Formula through Stratified Random Sampling and cross-sectional research design. The survey has utilized a demographic questionnaire of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) for the data collection. The study analyzed received data by using SPSS version 23 and performed the descriptive statistics, and analytical statistics (t-test and ANOVA). Results The results of the present study established that the majority of subjects were female students (53.3%), and the average age was 23.84 ± 2.14, including the students of all departments. Besides, findings specified that the overall mean and standard deviation scores were 3.34 and ±0.88. Internet addiction revealed mean and the standard deviation score measured for all students 3.29 ± 0.73, 3.17 ± 0.92, and 3.57 ± 0.64 correspondingly. The survey results illustrated that medical students’ internet addiction substantially correlated with demographic variables, such as age, marital status, the field of study, academic term, significant time of consuming the internet, the key reason of utilizing the internet, and daily usage of the internet ( p < .05). Conclusion The results of the study specified that 25% of medical students showed internet addiction. The students are increasingly using the internet, and it has penetrated among students. The design and implementation of adequate educational programs and the application of internet-based efficiency interventions are essential for both knowledge acquisition and medical students’ healthy behavior.


Author(s):  
Priyanka . ◽  
R K Pal

Introduction: Excessive use of the Internet affects the academic achievements of students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction and the pattern of Internet use among undergraduate medical students. Method: This analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 177 undergraduate medical students in batch 2016, 2017 and 2018, who were included in this study by convenience sampling method. The study tool was  Young’s Internet Addiction Test containing questions regarding the pattern of Internet use. Data entry and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 21. Qualitative data were described in terms of frequency and percentage while quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Chi square test and multiple linear regression were used to find out the relationship between various factors and Internet Addiction (IA).  The significance level was considered 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.3 years (± 1.19), and 62 % of the subjects were males. The prevalence rate of Internet Addiction (IA) was found to be 56.5% and 42.9% of them were in mild and 13.6% were in moderate addiction category. Being male (β= -0.143, p=0.038), staying at a hostel (β= 0.167, p=0.018), not having a time preference for using the Internet (β= -0.174, p=0.012), spending more time on the Internet everyday (β= 0.201, p=0.000), being always online (β= 0.276, p=0.000) and more years of using the Internet (β= 0.175, p=0.015) were significantly related with IA in students. Conclusion: A large proportion of medical students were found to be addicted to the Internet. Therefore, this issue should be addressed immediately.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Preeti Mathew ◽  
Raman K

The internet is recognized as a medium for information exchange, in various fields such as in academic research, entertainment, communication and commerce, across the world. Continuous use of internet results in a lot of psychological and mental disorders like anxiety, depression, stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder; as observed in many of the studies carried out recently. Recently, Problematic Internet Use has become a global phenomenon that causes serious problem to the affected individual leading to impairment in psychological well-being by causing excessive stress and affecting the individual’s academic performance. The present study aimed to assess the Problematic Internet Use and its relationship with Academic Stress and Academic Performance among adolescents in selected schools, Kochi, Kerala, India. The study was conducted in Private Aided School, in Muvattupuzha Taluk of Ernakulam Dist, Kerala. A cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was selected, and the study was conducted in July 2018 among 125 adolescents and participants were selected using random sampling technique. The samples were provided with a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining written consent from their parents and the students. The findings of the study revealed that 59.20% had mild Problematic internet addiction. 65% of the adolescents reported moderate stress and 32% had mild stress. Academic performance-wise, 60% of the adolescents were found to be average in the studies. Karl-Pearson coefficient indicated a significant relation between Academic Stress (r=-1 and p<0.001). Based on the findings one can conclude that the adolescents who were having internet addiction were found to have detrimental effects both in their Academic Performance and academic stress to some extent. As a result, the use of internet in normal limits or in moderation may not cause potential harm to their adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Mamun ◽  
Sharif Hossain ◽  
Mst. Sabrina Moonajilin ◽  
Mohammed Tanvir Masud ◽  
Jannatul Mawa Misti ◽  
...  

Background: Researchers have claimed that problematic internet use (PIU) and internet addiction (IA) is a global mental health problem. However, little research has addressed this issue in Bangladesh and no previous study has examined the relationship between PIU and potential psychological risk factors.Aim: The present study examined the prevalence of PIU and its associated risk factors including socio-demographic variables, internet use behaviors, and other psychological variables including loneliness, self-esteem, and psychological distress.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Bangladeshi students (N = 605). Measures included the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Rosenberg's SelfEsteem Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire.Results: Using a cut-off score of ≤60 (out of 100) on the IAT, the prevalence of PIU was 16.5% (n = 100). Regression analysis showed that sleep disturbance (more or less than 6-7 hours sleeping time), not using internet for academic purposes, and online chatting were risk factors for PIU. Loneliness and psychological distress were positively correlated with PIU, whereas self-esteem was negatively correlated.Conclusions: The present study highlights that PIU among Bangladeshi university students is an issue of concern and that targeted prevention is needed among emergingadults to help overcome the potentially negative effects of problematic internet use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (51) ◽  
pp. 3105-3109
Author(s):  
Haobijam Nirendrakumar Singh ◽  
Tonjam Hemchand Singh ◽  
Nongthonbam Surajkumar ◽  
Agatha Gangmei

BACKGROUND Internet is a widely used tool. With its addictive property, this may lead to public health problems. The study intended to assess the prevalence & risk factors for Internet addiction in medical students of Manipur. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted among medical students of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) using Young’s 20-items Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire. RESULTS The response rate was 83.79 %. About 1 / 5 th of the students were Internet users with frequent or significant problems in their life. CONCLUSIONS About 1 / 5th of students in JNIMS reported problems from use of Internet. Semester, age, sex & religion of the students did not have any relationship with Internet addiction scores. KEYWORDS Internet Addiction, Validity, Reliability


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Kianipour ◽  
Razie Toghroli ◽  
Jaffar Abbas ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Seyyed Amar Azizi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In recent years, Internet and social media technology use have emerged as an integral tool of human society, and the evolution of technological integration, cyberspace, and web-technology has become a common practice in educational institutions. Internet usage among students has played an indispensable role in learning behavior; however, the excessive usage of the internet and social media leads to internet addiction. This original study has performed a focalized scrutiny on revealing relationships between internet addiction and associated factors among the students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmaceutical departments.Methods: This descriptive and analytical study recruited medical students from the Self-governing Education Incubator of Kermanshah. This survey distributed 753 questionnaires among the respondents’ three departments, and this statistical data reported on 420 valid responses of the respondents. They represent first and second-semester medical students of the academic year 2017-2018. The study selected medical students by applying Cochran's Sample Size Formula through Stratified Random Sampling and cross-sectional research design. The survey has utilized a demographic questionnaire of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) for the data collection. The study analyzed received data by using SPSS version 24 and performed the descriptive statistics, and analytical statistics (t-test and ANOVA).Results: The results of the present study established that the majority of subjects were female students (53.3%), and the average age was 23.84±2.14, including the students of all departments. Besides, findings specified that the overall mean and standard deviation scores were 3.34 and ±0.88. Internet addiction revealed mean and the standard deviation score measured for all students 3.29±0.73, 3.17±0.92, and 3.57±0.64 correspondingly. The survey results illustrated that medical students’ internet addiction substantially correlated with demographic variables, such as age, marital status, the field of study, academic term, significant time of consuming the internet, the key reason of utilizing the internet, and daily usage of the internet (p<0.05).Conclusions: The results of the study specified that 25% of medical students showed internet addiction. The students are increasingly using the internet, and it has penetrated among students. The design and implementation of adequate educational programs and the application of internet-based efficiency interventions are essential for both knowledge acquisition and medical students’ healthy behavior.


Healthline ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
Swati Misra ◽  
Pradeep Pithadia ◽  
Dipesh Parmar ◽  
Naresh Makwana ◽  
Sumit Unadkat

Introduction: Internet is one of the most essential elements in everyday life of everyone. Simultaneously, it’s an emerging public health issue also, especially in our country. Excessive and undisciplined use of internet may lead to many physical, social, psychological and behavioral disorders. Medical students have not only lengthy syllabus but also hefty study hours and internet addiction may affect their scholastic pattern and learning. Therefore, this study was designed to assess prevalence and pattern of internet addiction and its consequences among them. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine prevalence and pattern of internet addiction and its ill-effects among medical students of M P Shah Government Medical College, Jamnagar. Methodology: We included all medical students (n=600) of all semesters of MP Shah Medical College and collected data using Dr. Kimberly Young’s Internet addiction scale from October 2019 to December 2019. Informed Consent was taken. Results: We observed that majority of students (82.67%) were average online users. The mean score of internet usage for male and female medical students was 44.22 and 38.48 respectively. Sleep disturbance, impulsiveness, anxiety, emotional liability, lack of interest in study were some of the major consequences of internet addiction among students observed in our study. The study also observed that students tried several methods like Yoga, meditation etc. to get rid of the internet addiction and concentrate on studies. Conclusion: Periodic screening of students should be carried out to identify internet addicts and a comprehensive program or strategies should be formed at institutional level for support and counselling of such students and to avert and cope up with ill effects of internet addiction.


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