The relationship between internet addiction and stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundThere is an increasing rate of Internet addiction among adolescents that may lead to many negative psychological outcomes. This study assessed the relationship between Internet addiction and stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents in Saudi Arabia. MethodsA correlational online survey captured data on Internet use and psychological outcomes from 462 adolescents between March and May 2022. Young's Internet Addiction Scale assessed the degree of Internet addiction. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS21) assessed the perceived level of stress, anxiety, and depression. Bivariate and multivariate analyses determined the relationship between Internet addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. ResultsSixty-eight percent of adolescents had mild to severe Internet addiction. Sixty percent of the adolescents perceived mild to extremely severe depression, 58% perceived mild to extremely severe anxiety, and 44% perceived mild to extremely severe stress. Adolescents with more Internet addiction scores perceived more stress, anxiety, and depression (p ≤ 0.05). ConclusionsThe Internet addiction rate is high among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Adolescents with more Internet addiction scores are prone to perceive higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Application to practiceInterventional multidisciplinary programs are needed to make adolescents, parents, schoolteachers, and school nurses in Saudi Arabia aware of Internet addiction and methods to reduce the dependence of those adolescents on the Internet. School nurses should provide adolescents and parents with means to reduce their Internet dependence.