Internet addiction: Associated with lower health-related quality of life among college students in Taiwan, and in what aspects?

Abstract

Internet use has been integrated into college students’ daily lives for learning and social purposes. However, little is known about whether those with Internet addiction (IA) had lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in physical, psychological, social, and environment domains. Survey data from 1452 college students in Taiwan were collected using proportional stratified sampling (response rate = 84.2%). IA, including 5 IA manifestations, and HRQOL were assessed by Chen Internet Addiction Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Taiwan version, respectively. College students with IA reported significantly lower HRQOL in all 4 domains (B = −0.130, −0.147, −0.103, and −0.085, respectively). Furthermore, 3 IA manifestations, namely compulsivity (B = −0.096), interpersonal and health problems (B = −0.100), and time management problems (B = −0.083), were significantly associated with lower physical HRQOL; compulsivity was also associated with decreased psychological (B = −0.166) and environment (B = −0.088) HRQOL; lastly, interpersonal and health problems owing to Internet use was associated with lower social HRQOL (B = −0.163). These findings warrant further research into the mechanisms through which IA relates to HRQOL in youths. Multi-faceted tailored interventions are needed to target early IA manifestations, thereby preventing IA and associated health consequences.