Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the stress level and HPA axis activity of an internet game addiction group and non-addiction group in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed with 140 male high school students from 9 vocational high schools at W city. Data were collected from July to September, 2012, using a questionnaire for measuring internet game addiction and stress level, blood samples for serum ACTH, and cortisol level for HPA axis activity. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, <TEX>$X^2$</TEX>-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS/WIN 15.0. Results: The stress level of the internet game addicted group was significantly higher than that of the non-addicted group (p<.001). The serum cortisol level was also significantly higher in the internet game addicted group than in the non-addicted group (p<.026). The serum ACTH level was higher in the internet game addicted group more than in the non-addicted group (p<.072). Conclusion: These results showed that internet game addiction could increase stress level and HPA axis activity in high school adolescents. Thus, a nursing approach to prevent and relieve internet game addiction should be initiated to stabilize the HPA axis of internet game addicted adolescents.
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