The Difference of Dopamine Transporter and Serotonin Transporter Level Between Addicted and Non-Addicted Internet User Experiencing Stress in Senior High School Students in Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

Stress can be a disorder or may cause physiological dysfunction and psychological disorder. The Internet has been using widely, despite its positive effect, it also has negative effect, particularly regarding to stress among student. The aimed of the study was to investigate the difference between Dopamine Transporter (DAT) and Serotonin Transporter (5HTT) level between stress experienced by addicted and nonaddicted internet users and to investigate the variable influenced internet addiction. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to determined peripheral blood DAT and 5HTT levels from the students who diagnosed stress. 681 students have participated, the prevalence of stress among senior high school students was 292 (42,88 %) and students who were not experiencing stress 289 (57,12%). The sample of the study was selected 79 students experienced stress and internet addicted, and 68 students experienced stress, but non-internet addicted users. There is a significant difference (p-value: 0,001) DAT and 5HTT level in peripheral blood serum between this two group. DAT levels showed a high relationship between student experiencing stress and internet addiction. It confirmed there was dysfunction of the DAT and 5HTT in internet addicted student. The peripheral blood DAT and 5HTT level remain high in internet-addicted student and dopamine transporter have an important role in internet addiction.