Internet Addiction Test Research Articles

Association Between Internet Addiction, Perceived Stress, Salivary Cortisol Level and Educational Declare in Dental Students

Background and Objectives: Internet addiction is one of the challenges of students that may affect their academic performance and cause stress. One of the metabolic changes related to stress is the salivary cortisol level. This study aims to evaluate the relationship of internet addiction with perceived stress, salivary cortisol level, and academic failure in dental students. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design, 123 dental students from Qom University of Medical Sciences participated. They were selected by a census sampling method. A demographic form, the internet addiction test, and the perceived stress scale were completed by them. Their academic failure was assessed and their salivary cortisol level was measured by the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation test, and regression analysis. Results: Internet addiction had a positive and significant relationship with perceived stress (r=0.21, P=0.003) and its two domains of negative perception (r=0.301, P=0.005) and positive perception (r=0.279, P=0.009). However, it had no significant relationship with salivary cortisol level (P=0.123) or academic failure (P=0.614). Conclusion: It seems that decreasing internet addiction can reduce the perceived stress of dental students.

Internet addiction: the Czech and Slovak adolescent population

BackgroundAdolescence is often seen as an important period for further personality development. In today's world, it is therefore important to keep track of current trends in adolescents. One of them is addictive behaviour in the context of the online environment. Spending too much time online can have a negative impact on the quality of life of adolescents. It is therefore important to pay increased attention to this phenomenon and to respond adequately to the current situation.MethodsOur study focuses on the prevalence of Internet addiction among Czech and Slovak adolescents. In total, 3,741 respondents participated in the project (N = 2,642 CZ; N = 1,099 SK); their ages ranged from 11 to 19 years (M = 14.38; SD ± 2.27). The research addressed differences among individual types of schools and between sexes in relation to Internet addiction. The research focused on adolescents attending secondary schools (ISCED 2 and 3) between the ages of 11 and 19 in the Czech and Slovak Republics. A questionnaire battery consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire was used for data collection.ResultsIn relation to the category of Internet use, girls did not score higher than boys either in the Czech group F(1, 2112) = .089, p = .765, or in the Slovak group F(1, 927) < .001 p = .994. There is a significant effect of school type both in the Czech group F(4, 2100) = 11.483, p < .001, and in the Slovak group F(4, 859) = 2.859, p = .023.ConclusionsOur research indicates that some adolescents, particularly boys, face issues with excessive Internet use, affecting social interactions. Further studies in the Czech Republic could explore the link between psychosocial factors and adolescent Internet use. This highlights the need to raise awareness among professionals about Internet addiction in Czech and Slovak adolescents.

Relationship between internet and smartphone addiction and eating attitude and feelings of loneliness in young and adults

BackgroundThe developing technology and the rapid increase in the use of the internet, smartphones, and mobile applications can disrupt the daily quality of life of individuals. This research aimed to scrutinize the link between the internet and smartphone addiction of individuals, eating attitude, and loneliness status. This research was carried out in Ankara, Turkey, and cross-sectional study. A total of 643 (M = 240, F = 403) volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50 participated in the study. Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT), Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and UCLA Loneliness Scales were used in this study.ResultsAs the age of the participants increased, YIAT (r = − 0.352, p < 0.01), SAS scale (r = − 0.302, p < 0.01), and UCLA questionnaire scores (r = − 107, p < 0.01) decreased. When BMI of individuals increas, YIAT (r = − 0.163, p < 0.01), and SAS scale (r = − 0.173, p < 0.01) scores decrease. As a result of logistic regression multiple analysis, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values for the risk of abnormal eating attitudes were 1.654 (1.166–2.607) in overweight and 2.257 (1.466–3.477) in smartphone addiction (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, it can be put forth that smartphone and internet addiction is associated with abnormal eating attitude and loneliness.

A study of impulsivity as a predictor of problematic internet use in university students with disabilities

IntroductionThe role played by impulsivity in problematic internet use (PIU) is the object of much debate among researchers. Some studies emphasize its importance, while others suggest mental distress or personality traits may be more crucial. More research into the issue is clearly needed—especially in at-risk populations like people with disabilities. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate the relationship between PIU and impulsivity among university students with disabilities, and to develop a specific predictive model for this group that would include psychological and life-functioning variables.MethodsA cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 240 Spanish university students with disabilities from seven universities. Several instruments were used for data collection: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and NEO-FFI-R.ResultsThe results indicated that impulsivity is significantly correlated with PIU, as indeed it also is with other factors like conscientiousness and social functioning problems. The study's regression model explained nearly 50% of PIU variance, with impulsivity, personality traits, wellness and health indicators, and social media usage as predictive variables.DiscussionThis suggests that interventions should consider these psychological and lifestyle variables as a means of mitigating PIU risks in students with disabilities. The findings identify a need for further longitudinal studies to understand the causality and develop targeted prevention strategies.

Investigating the relationship between internet addiction, domestic violence, and emotional divorce among married women in Tehran

BackgroundIdentifying the factors affecting emotional divorce due to the negative consequences of this social problem in women can play an important role in preventing its occurrence. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between internet addiction, domestic violence, and emotional divorce among married women in Tehran.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among married women in Tehran, Iran. Sampling was conducted first through a multi-stage cluster method and then continued using a random method. Tehran was divided into five parts: central, northern, southern, eastern, and western. The sample size was divided by 5, resulting in 80 participants selected from each part. In each part, two regions were selected, and in each region, 40 houses were randomly selected. Researchers visited the selected houses, and the questionnaires were filled out at home by the women. Tools such as Gottman’s Emotional Divorce Test, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, and the Domestic Violence against Women Survey were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in SPSS (version 24) software.ResultsA total of 400 women participated in the study. 46% of all married women suffered emotional divorce. The analysis of these tests showed that are positive and significant relationships between emotional divorce and internet addiction (r = 0.626, p < 0.0001), emotional divorce and domestic violence (r = 0.632, p < 0.0001), and internet addiction and domestic violence (r = 0.455, p < 0.0001). It was also found that there are significant negative relationships between emotional divorce and both the level of education (r=-0.115, p = 0.021) and employment status (r=-0.512, p < 0.0001). Additionally, there are significant negative relationships between internet addiction and age (r=-0.285, p < 0.0001), duration of marriage (r=-0.237, p < 0.0001) and employment status (r=-0.694, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, it was revealed that there are significant negative relationship between domestic violence and age (r=-0.104, p = 0.037) and level of education (r=-0.156, p = 0.002).ConclusionAlmost half of the married women in this study experienced emotional divorce, internet addiction, and domestic violence. These factors have a direct relationship with emotional divorce. Future studies are needed to understand how internet addiction might be associated with separation, emotional divorce and family problems.

Assessing the Reliability, Dimensions, and Variance of Young's Internet Addiction Test by Applying it to Adolescents at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Costa Rica.

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was the first instrument created specifically to assess Internet addiction (IA). Although it was not validated during its creation, its validity has since been confirmed thanks to subsequent studies. The IAT is the first global psychometric measure tested worldwide that has been used in several studies as a research tool. Regarding the dimensions of the IAT, they were not reported by the creator of the test, during the performed factor analysis. Nonetheless, different studies have defined the test as being one-dimensional and others as having three, four, five, and six dimensions. In the present study, seven dimensions were identified; however, there is still a lack of consensus about the number of dimensions that accurately define this test. Hence, Young's Internet Addiction Test presents a shortcoming that may be explained by the influence of several factors such as how it was applied, the place where it was applied, and the population to which it was applied. All of these are factors that could be linked to the sociocultural aspects of the adaptations that have been made to the test. Moreover, the first dimension of the IAT found, the loss of self-control, is extremely important because it explains 34% of the variance of the data. However, 74% of the variance is explained by applying the 7 dimensions identified in this research. Also, the reliability analysis showed that the IAT is 89% reliable, which indicates that the elements comprising the test used in this research are suitable for measuring the construct of Internet addiction.

Addiction among high school students: determination of nicotine, substance, game, and internet addiction levels

ABSTRACT Aim The aims of this study were to determine the levels of cigarette smoking, psychoactive substances, game, and internet addiction among high school students and to examine whether addictions show a significant difference according to some socio-demographic variables and the relationships between addiction types. Method A total of 530 high school students studying in Turkey, agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Sociodemographic Questionnaire (which contains DSM-V categories of addictive substances), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Game Addiction Scale (GAS), and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Results Approximately 1.9% of the respondents were smokers and 0.8% were inhalant users. Respondents scored 7.43 ± 2.88 on FTND, 13.92 ± 5.57 on the GAS, and 43.44 ± 18.80 on the IAT. Male respondents received a higher average score on the GAS than female respondents, and female respondents received a higher average score on the IAT than male respondents. As body mass index increased, a statistically significant, positive and moderate correlation was found between GAS scores and IAT scores. Conclusion Addictions are becoming more and more widespread and measures, information, and research should be increased and young people should be educated about addictions.

Assessing the Reliability, Dimensions, and Variance of Young's Internet Addiction Test by Applying it to Adolescents at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Costa Rica

Background: The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was the first instrument created specifically to assess Internet addiction (IA). Although it was not validated during its creation, its validity has since been confirmed thanks to subsequent studies. The IAT is the first global psychometric measure tested worldwide that has been used in several studies as a research tool. Regarding the dimensions of the IAT, they were not reported by the creator of the test, during the performed factor analysis. Nonetheless, different studies have defined the test as being one-dimensional and others as having three, four, five, and six dimensions. Methods: In the present study, seven dimensions were identified; however, there is still a lack of consensus about the number of dimensions that accurately define this test. Results: Hence, Young's Internet Addiction Test presents a shortcoming that may be explained by the influence of several factors such as how it was applied, the place where it was applied, and the population to which it was applied. All of these are factors that could be linked to the sociocultural aspects of the adaptations that have been made to the test. Conclusions: Moreover, the first dimension of the IAT found, the loss of self-control, is extremely important because it explains 34% of the variance of the data. However, 74% of the variance is explained by applying the 7 dimensions identified in this research. Also, the reliability analysis showed that the IAT is 89% reliable, which indicates that the elements comprising the test used in this research are suitable for measuring the construct of Internet addiction.

Internet Addiction: Influencing Academic, Non-academic and Psychological Aspects in Offshore Malaysian Medical Students

Excessive internet usage creates abundant problems like dependency and addictive behaviour. Internet addiction (IA) is becoming a universal public health concern. The isolated group of Malaysian students studying in offshore campuses in India is more susceptible to IA due to language, culture, ethnicity, and food habit differences, leading to a lack of communication with native students. The study aims to determine the prevalence of IA and its influence on academic, non-academic, and psychological aspects in Malaysian medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 offshore Malaysian medical students using Young’s Internet Addiction Test (Y-IAT) questionnaire of 20 items. The difference was tested by student’s t-test and the association between IA and other factors by chi-square test with a statistical significance at 5%. The study observed a 46% prevalence of IA in offshore Malaysian medical students. Male students were more prone to IA compared to females. The amount of time spent on entertainment per day was significantly (p = 0.004) associated with IA. The present study revealed that the prevalence of IA was significantly associated with academic performance (χ2 = 33.670, p = 0.001) and psychological disturbances like sleep disturbance due to late-night log-ins (χ2 = 41.013, p = 0.001), felt life would always be joyless (χ2 = 27.272, p = 0.001) and, depressed moody without internet (χ2 = 33.347, p = 0.001). The present study revealed that IA has an adverse impact on students’ academic activities as well as on psychological health. Medical teachers and schools should identify students who are prone to and affected by IA and recommend interventions based on their needs. This study recommends that students utilise their valuable time in offline activities like regular sports, cultural exchange programmes, fun activities, yoga, meditation, and learning new skills and languages. These activities may help students prevent overindulgence with the internet, encourage the overall growth of promising doctors, and build a healthy society.

Hubungan Pola Asuh dan Adiksi Internet pada Remaja Kristen di Jabodetabek

Christian teenagers Jabodetabek, like teenagers in general, are vulnerable to internet addiction. The type of parenting style from parents plays an important role in determining the level of internet addiction of adolescents. This study aims to identify differences in the level of internet addiction based on the type of parenting style among Christian adolescents in Greater Jakarta. A total of 291 adolescents participated in this study. This study uses two instruments, namely the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to measure the level of internet addiction and the Parenting Style Inventory-II (PSI-II) to identify the type of parenting style of parents. The results showed that neglectful parenting was associated with higher rates of internet addiction in adolescents. In contrast, authoritative and permissive parenting, which has a higher level of responsiveness, tends to be associated with lower rates of internet addiction. These findings show the importance of responsive parenting in preventing internet addiction in adolescents.

Internet addiction, sleeping habits and psychological distress in Brazilian adolescents and young adults.

The internet is widespread in modern society and has raised concerns about excessive usage and its consequences for different aging groups. This study explores the relationships between internet addiction, sleep patterns, and psychological distress in adolescents and young adults. In order to assess this phenomenon, an exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Brazil from October to December 2023. A questionnaire, administered via Google Forms, collected data from 618 participants aged 15-36. The participants consisted of a non-probabilistic community sample selected based on convenience criteria. Instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and Social Media Engagement Questionnaire. It was categorized 48.1% as having moderate internet addiction, and classified 0.8% as having severe internet addiction. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. Logistic regression identified internet addiction and overall psychological distress as predictors of sleep difficulties, along with unemployment status. The findings highlight the detrimental impact of excessive internet use on sleep quality and mental health. The bidirectional relationship between internet addiction and psychological distress underscores the complex interplay between these variables. This study underscores the urgent need for interventions targeting internet addiction and its associated consequences in adolescents and young adults. Addressing internet addiction levels and promoting healthy internet usage habits are crucial steps in mitigating the adverse effects on mental health and sleep quality. There is a need for targeted interventions, protocols, and preventive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive internet use on mental health and sleep quality. Public health strategies should include IA and its consequences in health programs with multidisciplinary approaches and protocols for treatments for behavioral addictions. The study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of internet addiction and its implications for mental health and sleep patterns.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress with Problematic Internet use Among Youth Attending; A Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Excessive and uncontrolled internet use can significantly impair daily functioning in various life domains. Despite the numerous benefits of the internet, its addictive use is a growing concern, particularly among youth, who are prone to anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Understanding the current scenario is essential for devising effective interventions, yet no scientific data is available in Bangladesh. Objective: To assess between depression, anxiety, and stress among youth with problematic internet use (PIU) attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, from October 2020 to September 2022. Participants were interviewed using a structured socio-demographic questionnaire, the Bangla versions of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21-BV). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, with significance set at p&lt;0.05. Results: Among the 90 participants (mean age: 21.33 years; 68% male, 32% female), 95% were students, and 87% were from nuclear families. Internet use exceeded one year for 83% of participants. PIU levels were minimal in 15%, moderate in 62%, and excessive in 22%. Severe depression was observed in 15% of participants, severe anxiety in 25%, and severe stress in 25%. Extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were found in 14%, 5%, and 14% of participants, respectively. Significant risk factors for PIU included male gender (χ²=8.217; p=0.02) and over three hours of daily internet use (χ²=35.289; p=0.001). PIU was significantly associated with depression (χ²=20.380; p=0.001), anxiety (χ²=16.159; p=0.019), and stress (χ²=14.734; p=0.019). Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and stress are significantly associated with PIU. Early risk assessment, proper internet use, and initial screening are essential for managing potential mental disorders linked to PIU.

The predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addiction among tertiary students in Ghana

Internet addiction is an emerging mental health concern, particularly among young people who avidly use online technologies. This cross-sectional study examined the predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addictive behaviours among 480 tertiary students in Ghana. Data were collected using Kashdan’s Curiosity Scale and Samaha’s Internet Addiction Test. The results revealed a 13.1% prevalence rate of internet addiction, with 73.1% classified as over-users. Only 29.4% exhibited high curiosity levels, while 35.6% had low curiosity. Structural equation modelling showed that deprivation sensitivity, covert social curiosity, overt social curiosity, stress tolerance, and thrill-seeking positively predicted various dimensions of internet addiction. Conversely, joyous exploration negatively predicted these behaviours. The curiosity composite positively predicted the overall internet addiction composite. The findings highlight curiosity’s complex role, where adaptive curiosity mitigates internet addiction risks, but maladaptive curiosity exacerbates such risks. Nurturing healthy curiosity while equipping students with self-regulation skills is crucial for promoting responsible internet use and preventing addictive behaviours. This study contributes insights into curiosity’s influence on youth mental health, informing prevention and intervention strategies within the context of higher education in Ghana.

Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality Among School Children in South India.

Today's internet is an unavoidable component of educational sources, the entertainment field, and telecommunication processes. Internet usage is more likely among adolescents and young adults in the form of surfing, chatting, playing games, and fulfilling their social needs. The present study has been planned to assess the effect of internet addiction (IA) on sleep quality in school children. This cross-sectional school-based study was conducted amongschool students in Pondicherry. A total of 350 school students of both genders studying in grades six to 10 and having access to at least one device with internet for more than one year were recruited from government and private schools located in five randomly selected communes in Pondicherry by convenient sampling method. Assessment of IA was done using Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) questionnaire assessed the participants' sleep quality. All the data was tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were used for analysis. The average age of the participants is 13 years. 49 (26.1%) are children and 139 (73.9%) are adolescents. The majority of them are females belonging to the adolescent age group(169, 89.4%). Around 17 (19.5%) children and 70 (80.5%)adolescents reported mild IA. Thirteen (59.1%)childrenand nine (40.9%)adolescents reported moderate IA. There is no significant difference in sleep quality between children and adolescents (4±2.33 vs. 3.62±2.61, p=0.37)but there is a considerable difference in their levels of IA(32.98±21.06 vs. 25.6±15.08, p=0.01). Conclusion: This study found a significant relationship between IA and poor sleep quality among adolescents. Thus, adolescents, parents, school authorities, and researchers should understand the importance of regulating internet usage and encouraging sleep hygiene. Thus, appropriate measures should be taken to address the effects of IA on sleep quality.

Does internet addiction affect the level of emotional intelligence among nursing students? A cross-sectional study

AimTo examine the effect of internet addiction on emotional intelligence among nursing students. Internet addiction, especially among nursing students, is an ongoing and urgent issue globally. Despite studies acknowledging its negative effects, the specific impact on the emotional intelligence of college students is not completely explored and needs more investigation.DesignA correlational cross-sectional descriptive study.MethodsParticipants included 180 nursing students from Mansoura University, Egypt. They completed the Socio-demographic sheet, Internet Addiction Test, and Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data.ResultsNursing students experience a moderate level of internet addiction and a neutral level of emotional intelligence. A significant negative relationship was established between internet addiction among students and their emotional intelligence (r = − 0.53, p < 0.001) and its four facets: perception of emotion, managing own emotions, managing others’ emotions, and utilization of emotion. Regression analysis showed that internet addiction had a negative effect on emotional intelligence among nursing students (β = − 0.553, p < 0.001) and explained 30.5% of the variance of emotional intelligence among nursing students.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest that internet addiction negatively impacts the emotional intelligence of nursing students, which is crucial for effective interpersonal relations and professional competence in nursing.ImplicationsThe study underscores the need for educational programs to raise awareness about the hazards of excessive internet use and to promote activities that mitigate internet addiction.

Psychological Characteristics of Internet Addiction in Students in Problem Life Situations (COVID, War)

The relevance of this research lies in the fact that the number of Internet addicts in the world is constantly growing (the premise of which we consider the possibilities of Internet content that open up to a person in the virtual space), and the situation can turn into a public health problem. The purpose of the article is to carry out a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of Internet addiction and, based on it, conduct an empirical study of Internet addiction of students, its connection with their personal traits and their satisfaction with life in difficult life situations: during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=88) and war (n=87). The research used the following methods: Internet Addiction Test (K. Young), CIAS, Chen-Internet-Addiction-Scale (S.-H. Cnen), Techniques for diagnosing predisposition to 13 types of addictions (G.V. Lozova), Test T. Leary, Questionnaire “Life Satisfaction Index” (B. Neugarten, R. Havighurst, Sh. Tobin), Oxford Happiness Inventory, OHI. Mathematical processing of research results was carried out using statistical package SPSS 17.0. The analysis of approaches to the understanding of Internet addiction by scientists leads to the conclusion that it is a behavioral deviation that manifests itself in a person’s excessive spending of time in the Internet space due to reluctance to return to real life; this is exactly information addiction. The main symptoms of Internet addiction: the tendency of an individual to choose being on the Internet before any other types of his activity; a change in his/her state of consciousness, a gradual increase in the time spent on the Internet, the lack of an objective assessment of the negative consequences of Internet addiction. As a result of the study, it was found that: Internet addiction can be combined with other types of addiction, Internet addicts are characterized by certain types of attitude towards others and a lack of feeling of satisfaction with life; Respondents who are less dependent on the Internet tend to positively evaluate themselves, be consistent in achieving their goals, fall into other addictions less often, and activate situationally necessary types of attitude towards others.

Do the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) assess two distinct internet-related disorders? A comparative analysis using CFA, Set-ESEM, and Full-ESEM models

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) capture separate Internet-related disorders, comparing CFA, Set-ESEM, and Full-ESEM models on a sample of 839 participants (59.1% females; M age = 30.31, SD = 10.05). The ESEM solution was selected based on fit-indices [χ 2 = 506.810; df = 248, p < .001; CFI = .976; TLI = .963; RMSEA = .035 (.031–.040); SRMR = .019; AIC = 70,390.955; BIC = 71,269.364; aBIC = 70,678.693], inter-factor correlations (.232 < r < .595), parameter estimates (significant primary target loadings and reduced cross-loadings), and theoretical interpretability. This study highlights the conceptual overlap between Internet and smartphone addiction and emphasises the importance of comparing CFA, Set-ESEM, and Full-ESEM models when two or more sets of constructs are included in a single model.

Internet addiction in late adolescence: profile and patterns of use

Introduction: Cross-sectional school-based epidemiological survey, conducted in 2016 and 2017, from a representative sample of 15 to 19-year-old students enrolled in the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region (RMGV-ES), Espírito Santo, Brazil. Objectives: To verify the association between Internet Addiction, sociodemographic characteristics and the pattern of Internet and social media use. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 2293 students. The sociodemographic data of the individuals and information on internet and social media dependence were verified using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Frequencies were calculated and Chi-square and Binomial Logistic Regression tests were applied. Results: Internet addiction was associated with adolescents in the early years (p = 0.001), those with less-educated household heads (p = 0.018), and those who spent four or more hours a day surfing the internet (p &lt; 0.001) and those who used the Internet every day of the week (p = 0.004). Internet addiction was also associated with the use of Twitter (p-value = 0.040), subjective reasons for use (p = 0.001) and those who stopped using it for social reasons (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Public policies that envision the education of adolescents and their families, as well as protection focused on the most susceptible individuals, should be developed. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent adolescents from having daily access to the Internet, not exceeding four hours of use, in order to reduce the risk of dependence and protect the individual from this situation.

Internet Addiction among Egyptian Teens during COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Teens’ lifestyles have changed significantly during and after COVID-19 epidemic and they have started engaging in risky health behaviors like using smartphone more frequently. Everyone is compelled to use their smartphone more frequently than usual to access daily necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the problem of internet addiction and the increasing use of smartphone among teenage Egyptian youth during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Online surveys were sent to Egyptian teens (12–18 years old) in several governorates in June 2020, and they were completed by 154 youths over the course of one month. Different teenagers were required to respond to and share in this poll, and versions in both English and Arabic were used. At the outset of the questionnaire, the question about consent was viewed as mandatory. The extent of Internet use was evaluated using Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The survey was divided into four sections and created with the goals of understanding the modes (frequency, patterns, and goals) of internet use, the negative effects, linked parental behaviors, as well as the eventual occurrence and severity of addiction. The same data from the time before the epidemic was also looked into and analyzed. Version 23 of IBM SPSS Statistics was used for the analysis. The p-value threshold for significance was established at 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the teens was 14.38 ± 2.87 years and equal gender frequency (males of 50.6% and females of 49.4%. About 79.9% of them live in urban environment, 18.8% suffered from family problems and 40.9% were in the secondary educational level. Increased physical inactivity of participants was noticed after COVID-19 among participants (55.8%). About 87.7% of them used smartphone for online access (87.7%). Half of the subjects (50%) spent 1–3 h online before COVID, while more than half of them (59.1%) spent more than 6 hours online after COVID, with a statistically significant difference. Mean IAT was 61.91 ± 16.77 after COVID versus 45.26 ± 12.45 before COVID. The prevalence of internet addiction was increased from 67.5% before COVID-19 to 77.9% after COVID-19 infection. IAT score was normal, mild, moderate, and severe in 5.8%, 16.2%, 65.6%, and 12.3% after COVID-19, respectively, compared to normal, mild, moderate, and severe IAT score in 26.6%, 5.8%, 61.0%, and 6.5% before COVID, respectively, with significant differences between them before and after COVID (p &lt; 0.000). Increasing mother’s and father’s educational, increasing time spent online, decreasing duration of sleep, and lower the number of days of exercise for more than 30 min/week were associated with higher IAT score. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet addiction was extremely common among teenagers (77.9%). The amount of time spent online, the length of sleep, and the number of days that a person exercises for more than 30 min/week were all predictors of addiction.

Comprehensive analysis including in-game spending and violent game playing in patients with internet gaming disorder.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is receiving increasing attention. In particular, violent gameplay or in-game spending affects the psychiatric conditions and economic difficulties of patients. We conducted regression analysis and path analysis to investigate the associations between a comprehensive list of factors in patients with IGD, including the degree of internet or gaming dependence, developmental problems, family background, severity of depression, sleeping habits, in-game spending, and first-person shooter (FPS) and third-person shooter (TPS) game playing. The participants were 47 Japanese individuals (39 males and 8 females) aged ≤20 years diagnosed with IGD with complete data from the internet addiction test, autism spectrum quotient, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. All participants were asked whether their parents have divorce history, whether they have siblings, whether they play FPS or TPS games, and whether they engage in in-game spending. Firstly, we compared these factors between males and females; secondly, we conducted regression analysis and path analysis in male patients. As for simple comparison between sex, female patients showed greater severity of IGD and depressive score. In regression analysis of male patients, significant associations were found between FPS or TPS game playing and in-game spending. We also created path diagrams. The results of the comprehensive analyses suggest the possibility that bidirectional synergistic effects could be achieved by gradually reducing both violent game playing and in-game spending. The concept of internet dependence has a wide range of meanings, and for each subtype, it is important to consider the background that led to the dependence to make individualized environmental adjustments and provide psychotherapy.