Role of gender difference in Internet addiction and its association with family interaction among students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Internet addiction (IA) has become a serious behavioral addiction pandemic. IA may potentially affect academic performance and family dynamics. Gender and geographic differences also exist in the ways that people use the Internet for entertainment. This study was conducted to evaluate if gender difference plays a role in IA. Objectives: To determine the association between gender with internet addiction and family interaction among the undergraduate college students and to find the prevalence of internet addiction among them. Materials and Methods: A sample of 252 currently enrolled undergraduate students, between 18 and 23 years of age, were included from three programs (Arts, Science, and Commerce) at a University in Odisha. Data were collected using the IA test (IAT) and the family interaction questionnaire (FIQ). Data were compiled into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Epi-info software. Descriptive data were interpreted as frequencies and percentages. The independent t-test was used to compare the mean scores between IA and family interaction. The Chi-square test was used to test association. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 113 (44.8%) males and 55.2% (139) females. The prevalence of IA was 64.8%. Female students had slightly higher mean IAT and FIQ scores than males. The difference in mean scores determined by independent t-tests between the genders was not statistically significant for both IAT (P = 0.054) and FIQ (P = 0.2). There was no significant association between gender with IA levels (P = 0.1507) and family interaction levels (P = 0.6125). Conclusion: The current study revealed there was IA in almost two-thirds of undergraduate students. There was a minor gender difference in IA and family interaction levels among the college students. It is crucial to educate the future generation, parents, and educators about the dangers of IA and the importance of family interaction in managing the problem.