Association between Internet addiction and depression in Thai medical students at Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

Network meta-analysis of the effectiveness of different interventions for internet addiction in college students

BACKGROUND

Internet addiction jeopardizes teenagers' physical and mental health, as well as their academic performance, and causes a variety of cognitive dysfunctions and psychological and mental health illnesses, among other things. It is a huge issue that families, schools, and society must address immediately.

OBJECTIVES

This study used network meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of several interventions on college students' Internet addiction. The goal was to identify the most effective interventions and establish a reference for future interventions. We systematically searched relevant literature in domestic and international databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Pro Quest, China Knowledge, Wan fang, Wipo, etc. We assessed the risk of bias according to the revised Cochrane Randomized Trials Risk of Bias Tool (RoB2) and used R Studio Software and Stata 14.0 for traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. A network meta-analysis based on the IAT scale showed that comprehensive interventions had the highest probability of being the best intervention for IA (SUCRA = 90.6 % based on IAT); focused solution short-term therapy had the highest probability of being the best intervention for IA based on the CIAS-R (19 White Feather) scale (SUCRA = 100 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of interventions have a significant influence on the treatment of IA, and improvements in Internet addiction symptoms are more noticeable when a combination of interventions is used rather than just one.

Growing propensity of internet addiction among Asian college students: meta-analysis of pooled prevalence from 39 studies with over 50,000 participants

OBJECTIVES

Rapid internet penetration and technological advancements have facilitated accessibility to internet-enabled devices globally. Since Asia lacks comprehensive data on internet addiction among college students, this review aims to estimate its pooled prevalence.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and MEDLINE from their inception through August 2022 using terms appropriate to internet addiction and Asian countries/territorial for publications in English peer-reviewed journals. The studies included those done on current college students and provided unambiguous indicators of the threshold of internet addiction. The pooled prevalence was calculated through a random-effects meta-analysis by RStudio software, and I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used for quality assessment.

RESULTS

Overall, between 2007 and 2021, 39 papers comprising 45 effect sizes and totaling 58,058 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of internet addiction among Asian college students was 24.3% (95% confidence interval: 19.8%-29.5%, Q = 6234, df = 44, τ2 = 0.79, I2 = 99.29%), and strikingly, this percentage increased over time. A high degree of heterogeneity was seen, and no publication bias was found.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review report on Asian college students, which found that one-fifth suffer from internet addiction. The findings emphasize the significance of multidisciplinary prevention and management strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of internet addiction. Further research is warranted to develop a standardized diagnostic tool for a more precise estimation of internet addiction among this population.

Internet addiction and mental health disorders in high school students in a Peruvian region: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between internet addiction disorder (IAD) and anxiety and depressive symptomatology in high school students in two private schools in Chiclayo, Peru, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analytical cross-sectional investigation of 505 adolescents from two private schools. The dependent variables were anxiety and depressive symptomatology, measured with the Beck Adapted Depression Questionnaire (BDI-IIA) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. The main independent variable was IAD, measured with the Internet Addiction Test instrument(IATI). Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated.

RESULTS

The average age was 14.16 years and 54.9% were women. 22.2% and 3.2% presented mild and moderate IAD; respectively. 9.3% presented severe anxiety and 34.3% severe depressive symptomatology. In the simple regression, adolescents with mild, moderate and severe IAD presented 19% (PR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.05-1.35), 25% (PR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.02-1.53) and 53% (PR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.47-1.60) higher prevalence of depressive symptomatology; however, this association was not maintained in the multiple model. Anxiety increased 196% in adolescents with severe IAD (PR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.86-4.71).

CONCLUSION

 We found that 2, 1, and 3 out of 10 students presented IAD, depressive symptomatology, and anxiety, respectively. We did not find an association between IAD and depressive symptomatology, but we did find an association with anxiety. Among the factors associated with the development of depressive symptomatology were the male sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, using devices for more than 2 h, and using the Internet for academic activities. About anxiety, the associated factors are the female sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, and the use of the Internet as social interaction. We recommend implementing counseling programs in view of the imminent introduction of the Internet as a pillar in education.

Problematic internet usage: the impact of objectively Recorded and categorized usage time, emotional intelligence components and subjective happiness about usage

Most research on Problematic Internet Usage (PIU) relied on self-report data when measuring the time spent on the internet. Self-reporting of use, typically done through a survey, showed discrepancies from the actual amount of use. Studies exploring the association between trait emotional intelligence (EI) components and the subjective feeling on technology usage and PIU are also limited. The current cross-sectional study aims to examine whether the objectively recorded technology usage, taking smartphone usage as a representative, components of trait EI (sociability, emotionality, well-being, self-control), and happiness with phone use can predict PIU and its components (obsession, neglect, and control disorder). A total of 268 participants (Female: 61.6%) reported their demographic and completed a questionnaire that included Problematic Internet Usage Questionnaire short form (PIUQ-SF-6), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), level of happiness with the amount and frequency of smartphone use, and living conditions (whether alone or with others). Their smartphone usage was objectively recorded through a dedicated app. A series of one-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference in PIU for different living conditions and a significant difference in the subjective level of happiness with phone usage (F (3, 264) = 7.55, p < .001), as well as of the frequency of usage where the unhappy group had higher PIU (F (3, 264) = 6.85, p < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that happiness with phone usage (β = -.17), the actual usage of communication (β = .17), social media (β = .19) and gaming apps (β = .13), and trait EI component of self-control (β = -.28) were all significant predictors of PIU. Moreover, gender, age, and happiness with the frequency of phone usage were not significant predictors of PIU. The whole model accounted for the total variance of PIU by 32.5% (Adjusted R2 = .287). Our study contributes to the literature by being among the few to rely on objectively recorded smartphone usage data and utilizing components of trait EI as predictors.

Mental problems and risk factors for depression among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Prevalence of depression is high among medical students and several mental problems are identified as risk factors. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic causes difficulties that could adversely affect mental health. However, data concerning prevalence of mental problems, and whether or not these problems remain risk factors for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in medical students are scarce. To investigate the prevalence of depression, social media addiction, game addiction, sleep quality, eating disorder risk, and perceived stress among Thai medical students, risk factors for depression were investigated. Online surveys via our faculty's learning portals were advertized to medical students who engaged online learning and 224 respondents provided complete data. Study-related medical students' data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression, the Social-Media Addiction Screening Scale for social media addiction, the Game Addiction Screening Test for game addiction, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, the Eating Attitudes Test for eating disorder risk, and the Perceived Stress Scale for perceived stress. Depression was reported in 35.7% of medical students, social-media addiction in 22.3%, game addiction in 4.5%, eating disorder risk in 4.9%, poor sleep quality in 80.8%, and moderate-to-high perceived stress in 71.4%. The independent predictors of depression were lower grade point average, social media addiction, and moderate-to-high perceived stress. A high prevalence of depression, stress, and poor sleep was found among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students who are stressed, have lower grades, and/or who are addicted to social media warrant depression screening.

Behavioral and psychosocial predictors of depression in Bangladeshi medical students: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Depression, stress, and anxiety were found in a large number of medical undergraduate students, indicating a neglected aspect of their psychology that required immediate attention. The goal of this study was to find out the prevalence of depression among medical students, as well as potential psychosocial and behavioral predictors for depression.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2021 among 840 randomly selected medical students from four medical colleges using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed through the SPSS v.23 software. Multiple regression was performed to assess the effect of several behavioral and psychosocial factors on depression.

RESULTS

Among the 840 study participants, 55.7% (n= 468) were female and 44.3% (n= 372) were male. According to the data, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, perceived stress among medical students was found to be 28.8%, 65% and 85% respectively. A strong link was found between depression and anxiety, stress, poor sleep quality, poor academic performance, and a negative social and romantic relationship status.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of medical students are depressed. In order to prevent and treat depression, medical students should be screened for depression and its associated factors.

Internet addiction and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among allied health students in Malaysia

BACKGROUND Internet addiction (IA) is prone to be experienced by students and has become a major health concern. However, data on IA among allied health students are limited. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of IA and the association between mental health problems and IA among allied health students in Malaysia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2021 in three government-funded allied health training institutes in Malaysia. A total of 265 allied health students undertaking a diploma in nursing, medical assistant training, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and diagnostic imaging were recruited using stratified random sampling. The Malay version of the IA test was used to measure IA, while depression, anxiety and stress scale-21 items were used to assess their mental health problems. A general linear model was used to analyze the association between IA scores and mental health problems. RESULTS The prevalence of IA among allied health students was more than 80%, with 16.2% and 2.3% of them reporting moderate and severe IA, respectively. Higher depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001), and stress scores (p = 0.002) were associated with higher IA scores. CONCLUSIONS There were significant associations between mental health problems and IA scores among allied health students. Future studies with rigorous scientific methods are necessary to explore mental health effects on IA. Early intervention is also needed to prevent mental health problems among allied health students to overcome the problem of IA.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and its Correlates Among Regular Undergraduate Medicine and Health Science Students at Ambo University. Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction:

Internet addiction (IA) is causing academic failure, decreased concentration ability, and a negative affective state. In Ethiopia, studies conducted on IA were limited; therefore, this study aimed to assess its prevalence and risk factors among medicine and health science (MHS) students of Ambo University.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional study and included MHS students of Ambo University from July 15 to August 15, 2021. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after receiving informed consent from study participants. The results were analyzed using the statistical software for social sciences version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the relationship between IA and dependent variables.

Results:

Of the 253 participants who participated in the study, 201 (79%) were found to have an IA. Having one’s own computer, Internet access at home and an email account were 2 times more risky to develop IA compared to their counterparts with AOR = 2.615 (95% CI = 1.118-5.956) with a P value of .022, AOR = 2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405) with a P value of .35 and (=2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405 with a P value of .035 respectively. Additionally, those who use the Internet for news were 2.5 times more likely to develop IA compared to those who do not (AOR = 2.551 (95% CI = 1.225-5.349) with a P-value of .013). The use of the Internet for scientific research and education reduces IA by 0.7 times (AOR = 0.323 (95% CI = 0.120-0.868) with a P value of .025).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of IA was found to be high in this study. Therefore, strategies are needed to minimize the prevalence of this problem.

Depression and Psychological Distress in Medical Students, A Prospective Study

Introduction

The aim of the study is to determine the changes in psychological distress and depressive symptoms of medical students in the first two years of their education process, in comparison with other faculty students.

Methods

All first-year students in the Faculties of Medicine, Economics and Sport Sciences were asked to fill out a detailed self-reported questionnaire aimed at measuring possible stressful life events and habits, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) during the first week of their first semester in 2017-2018. This process was repeated to the same students again in the second year, and the change was examined prospectively.

Results

The GHQ-12 score average increased from 11.19 to 13.7 in medical students (p<0.001). The prevalence of psychological distress increased from 53.8% to 61.8%. The BDI score average was 8.04 in the beginning and reached 10.1 in the second year (p<0.001). Depressive symptom prevalence increased from 8.8% to 19.5%. No significant increase was observed in the GHQ-12, BDI score average, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress prevalence of other faculty students. The incidence of depressive symptoms in medical students was 15.9%. As a result of multivariate analysis, "dissatisfaction with social activities" and "exposure to psychological pressure and violence" which were stressful life events were statistically associated with both GHQ-12 and BDI.

Conclusion

It was determined that the mental health of the students was negatively affected in the first year of medical school education. It is recommended to raise awareness for medical students at risk of mental illness and to plan interventions that will protect their mental health.

Internet addiction, headache, and insomnia in university students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

There is controversy about whether there is an association between headache and internet addiction. Therefore, the objective was to assess whether there is an association between the headache, insomnia, and internet addiction.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study with 420 university students. We used a semi-structured questionnaire, Headache Impact Test, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Internet Addiction Test.

RESULTS

51.4% were men, the median age was 21 (19, 23), 399 (95.0%) suffered from headaches in the last year, 265 (63.1%) had migraine, 182 (43.3%) had migraine with aura, 119 (28.3%) had episodic tension-type headache, 84 (20%) had internet addiction, and 95 (22.6%) had insomnia. Internet addiction was associated with anxiety (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.0; p = 0.003), insomnia (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 2.0, 4.6; p < 0.001), and migraine with aura (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.9; p = 0.066) (logistic regression). The severity of internet dependence is associated with the impact of headache (p = 0.047) and with the severity of insomnia (p < 0.001) (multiple linear regression).

CONCLUSIONS

Internet addiction was associated with anxiety, migraine with aura, and insomnia. The severity of internet addiction is associated with the severity of the headache and with the severity of insomnia.

Mental Health of University Students in Southeastern Asia: A Systematic Review

Mental health in young people is a public health challenge worldwide, with around one-fifth of university students suffering from a 12-month mental disorder. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of Southeastern Asia, resources for mental health are limited and counseling services are not regularly established at universities. This review aims to determine the prevalence of mental health problems among university students in six ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) and to identify the determinants of mental health. A systematic database search (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubPsych, and Scopus) for peer-reviewed, English language articles, published 2010-2020, reporting prevalence data based on standardized screening instruments resulted in 335 articles; 108 were eligible for full-text analysis, of which 34 could be included in the review. Median point prevalence was 29.4% for depression, 42.4% for anxiety, 16.4% for stress, and 13.9% for disordered eating. Current suicidality was present in 7% to 8% of students. There was a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, the willingness to seek professional help was comparatively low. Implications for mental health promotion and prevention in university settings are discussed.

Consumption of Sinlek Rice Drink Improved Red Cell Indices in Anemic Elderly Subjects

Iron fortifications are used for the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia; however, iron dosing may cause oxidative damage to the gut lumen. Thai Sinlek rice is abundant in iron and contains phytochemicals. We aimed at evaluating the effect of an iron-rice (IR) hydrolysate drink (100 mL/serving) on neurological function, red cell indices and iron status in elders. Healthy elderly subjects were divided into three non-anemic groups and one anemic group. The non-anemic groups consumed one WR (2 mg iron/serving) and two IR drinks (15 and 27 mg iron/serving) (groups A, B and D, respectively), while the anemic group consumed one IR drink (15 mg iron serving) (group C) every day for 30 days. There were no significant differences in the MMSE Thai 2002 and PHQ9 test scores for members of all groups, while the nutrition scores and body weight values of group D subjects were significantly increased. Hemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly only in group C. Serum iron and transferrin saturation levels tended to increase in group A, while these levels were decreased in members of group C. Serum antioxidant activity levels were increased in all groups, and were highest in group C. Thus, consumption of an IR drink for 15 days functioned to increase Hb and antioxidant capacity levels in anemic elders.

How Have Researchers Acknowledged and Controlled for Academic Work Activity When Measuring Medical Students' Internet Addiction? A Systematic Literature Review

Internationally, medical students' Internet Addiction (IA) is widely studied. As medical students use the Internet extensively for work, we asked how researchers control for work-related Internet activity, and the extent to which this influences interpretations of "addiction" rates. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted on the search phrase of "medical students" and "internet addiction" in March 2020. In total, 98 studies met our criteria, 88 (90%) used Young's Internet Addiction Test, and the studies' IA rates ranged widely. Little note was taken of work-related activity, and, when discussed, had little to no impact on the interpretation of Internet "addiction". Studies seldom accounted for work-related activities, researcher bias appears to influence their position, "usage" appears conflated with "addiction", and correlations between "addiction" and negative behaviours are frequently confused with one-way causation. In spite of IA's not being officially recognised, few researchers questioned its validity. While IA may exist among medical students, its measurement is flawed; given the use of the Internet as a crucial medical education tool, there is the risk that conscientious students will be labelled "addicted", and poor academic performance may be attributed to this "addiction".

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Gaming Disorders in Southeast Asia: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analytic review aimed to examine the pooled prevalence rates of Internet addiction and gaming disorders in Southeast Asia. Several databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched and a total of 24 studies were included in this study. The selection of studies was conducted in accordance to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two meta-analyses were conducted to examine data on Internet addiction and gaming disorders separately. A random-effects model was employed to derive the pooled prevalence rate. Mixed-effects meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the moderators of the between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was tested using the Egger's regression test and funnel plot. Only seven out of the 11 Southeast Asian countries were represented in the literature. All except for two of the included studies were cross-sectional in nature. The findings revealed a pooled prevalence rate of 20.0% (95% confidence interval: 14.5%-27.0%) and 10.1% (95% confidence interval: 7.3%-13.8%) for Internet addiction and gaming disorders respectively. Mean age and study population were significant moderators of the between-study heterogeneity in the prevalence rates of gaming disorders such that samples involving older participants showed higher prevalence rate than those involving younger individuals. Country of study was found to be significant moderator of the between-heterogeneity for both Internet addiction and gaming disorders, however the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small and unbalanced sample sizes. There was no significant publication bias. Such epidemiology research should be extended to the Southeast Asian countries that have not been studied or are under-studied. Given that the prevalence rates appear to be higher in Southeast Asia than in other world regions, future research should also explore the factors behind these inter-regional differences. Further longitudinal studies should also be conducted to examine the trajectories of such disorders.

Stressors, psychological distress, and mental health problems amongst Brazilian medical students

In line with studies from around the world, several studies have shown equal or higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students in Brazil. The aim of the present study was to identify difficulties Brazilian medical students face regarding stressors, psychological distress, and psychiatric morbidity using standardized reliable and valid instruments. In addition, this study also investigated differences associated with sex. Students (n = 129) were asked to complete a one-off survey from January to June 2019, including demographics, previous mental health issues, CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI. A higher prevalence of previous mental disorders was found in comparison to during the medical course. This may suggest that perhaps students are under more stress or that they form a more vulnerable sub-population in medical school in comparison with the general population. However, the types of mental disorders before and during the undergraduate course appear to vary. During the course, they show higher levels of anxiety rather than that of depression. Before commencing the course, they showed higher levels of depression rather than anxiety. Cannabis and ecstasy experimentation levels were higher than those of students from other courses in previous studies. The opposite was true for stimulants. Just over a quarter reported alcohol abuse above the CAGE cut-off point. The levels of psychological distress and burnout were extremely high, and women had even higher levels. Male respondents were more likely to have a history of mental ill-health, but female subjects scored higher on burnout. Overall over 80% students reported burnout. These findings are discussed in the context of Brazilian culture.

Grit is associated with lower level of depression and anxiety among university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety symptoms are prevalent among university students in both developed and developing settings. Recently, grit, defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, has emerged as an indicator of success and well-being. However, the relationship between grit and poor mental health outcomes among university students is largely unknown. The current study investigates the relationship of grit with depression and anxiety among university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018 among university students aged 18-24 years from Chiang Mai University, the first largest university in Chiang Mai Province. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scales, respectively. Grit was measured using the 8-item Short Grit Scale (GRIT-S). Grit scores were grouped into three categories: low (below the 25th percentile); average (from the 25th to the 75th percentiles); and high (above the 75th percentile). The other covariates included variables such self-esteem and socio-demographic variables.

RESULTS

Of the 800 participants included in the study, 405 (50.6%) were female and 395 (49.4%) were male. Respectively 21.4% and 7.8% of the participants had depression and clinical symptoms of GAD. Increasing levels of grit negatively correlated with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. Participants with high level of grit scored respectively 1.69 points (P <0.001) and 1.71 points (P < 0.001) lower on the PHQ-9 scale and GAD-7 scores. Similarly, self-esteem was negatively associated with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the negative correlation of grit with poor mental health outcomes, particularly depression and anxiety. Interventions designed to improve grit could play an essential role in the prevention of adverse mental health outcomes among university students.

Internet use behaviors, internet addiction and psychological distress among medical college students: A multi centre study from South India

BACKGROUND

Internet Addiction (IA) among medical students and its association with psychological distress can impact their academic progress and long term career goals. IA would also indirectly impact community of health care professionals and the society. Thus, there is a need to investigate the IA among medical students.

OBJECTIVES

This study was a first such attempt to explore internet use behavior's, IA, among a large group of medical students across multiple centers and its association with psychological distress primarily depression.

METHODS & MATERIALS

1763 medical students aged 18 to 21 years, pursuing Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from three south Indian cities of Bangalore, Mangalore and Trissur participated in the study. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, IA Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) assessed psychological distress primarily depression.

RESULTS

Among the total N = 1763, 27% of medical students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 10.4% for moderate addictive internet use, and 0.8% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among medical students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet and had psychological distress. Age, gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use and psychological distress (depression) predicted IA.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of medical students have IA which can be detrimental for their medical education progress and long term career goals. Early identification and management of IA and psychological distress among medical students is crucial.

Internet Use Patterns, Internet Addiction, and Psychological Distress Among Engineering University Students: A Study from India

BACKGROUND

Internet addiction (IA) among university engineering students and its association with psychological distress can impact their educational progress, academic competence, and long-term career goals. Thus, there is a need to investigate the IA among engineering students.

OBJECTIVES

This study was a first such attempt to explore internet use behaviors, IA, among a large group of engineering students from India, and its association with psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms.

METHODS

One thousand eighty six engineering students aged 18-21 years pursuing bachelors in engineering from the south Indian city of Mangalore participated in the study. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA, and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) assessed psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the total N = 1086, 27.1% of engineering students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 9.7% for moderate addictive internet use, and 0.4% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among engineering students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet, and had psychological distress. Gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of engineering students have IA which can be detrimental for their educational progress in university studies and long-term career goals. Early identification and management of IA and psychological distress among engineering students is crucial.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction in Medical Students: a Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

With the development of online learning, communication, and entertainment, the Internet has become an indispensable tool for university students. Internet addiction (IA) has emerged as a health problem and the prevalence of IA varies from country to country. To date, the global prevalence of IA in medical students remains unknown. The objective of this meta-analysis was to establish precise estimates of the prevalence of IA among medical students in different countries.

METHODS

The pooled prevalence of IA among medical students was determined by the random-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to identify potential factors that could contribute to heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of IA among 3651 medical students is 30.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 28.5-31.8%, Z = -20.66, df = 9, τ ² = 0.90) with significant heterogeneity (I ² = 98.12). Subgroup analysis shows the pooled prevalence of IA diagnosed by the Chen's Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) (5.2, 95% CI 3.4-8.0%) is significantly lower than Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT) (32.2, 95% CI 20.9-45.9%) (p < 0.0001). Meta-regression analyses show that the mean age of medical students, gender proportion and the severity of IA are not significant moderators.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this meta-analysis identified the pooled prevalence of IA among medical students is approximately five times than that of the general population. Age, gender, and severity of IA did not account for high heterogeneity in prevalence, but IA assessment questionnaire was a potential source of heterogeneity. Given the high prevalence of IA, medical teachers and medical school administrators should identify medical students who suffer from IA and refer them for intervention.

Psychometric properties of a Thai version internet addiction test

Objective

The aim was to assess the reliability and validity of a Thai version internet addiction test.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha for the Thai version of the internet addiction test was 0.89. A three-factor model showed the best fit with the data for the whole sample, whereas the hypothesized six-factor model, as well as a unidimensional model of the internet addiction test, failed to demonstrate acceptable fit with the data. Three factors, namely functional impairment, withdrawal symptoms and loss of control, exhibited Cronbach’s alphas of 0.81, 0.81, and 0.70, respectively. Item 4, ‘to form new relationships with online users’, yielded the lowest loading coefficient of all items. Positive correlations between the internet addiction test and UCLA loneliness scores were found. The Thai version of the internet addiction test was considered reliable and valid, and has sufficient unidimensionality to calculate for total score in screening for excessive internet use.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3187-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence, associated factors and impact of loneliness and interpersonal problems on internet addiction: A study in Chiang Mai medical students

INTRODUCTION

Internet addiction is common among medical students, and the prevalence is higher than the general population. Identifying and creating solutions for this problem is important. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and associated factors, particularly loneliness and interpersonal problems among Chiang Mai medical students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 324 first to sixth year medical students, 56.8% comprised females with a mean age of 20.88 (SD 1.8). All completed questionnaires related to the objectives and activities of internet use, the Young Internet Addiction Test, the UCLA loneliness scale, and the Interpersonal Problems Inventory were employed to identify internet addiction.

RESULTS

In all, 36.7% of the subjects exhibited internet addiction, mostly at mild level. Amount of time used daily, loneliness and interpersonal problems were strong predictors (beta = 0.441, p < 0.05, beta = 0.219, p < 0.001 and beta = 0.203 p < 0.001, respectively), whereas age and sex were not. All objectives of using internet contributed to the variance of internet addiction score. For internet activities, only non-academic or studying contributed. The final model accounted for 42.8% of total variance of the internet addiction score.

CONCLUSION

Even though most addiction was at a mild level, careful strategies should be applied to better understand the situation. Along with a screening for potential internet addiction among medical students, attention should be paid to identifying those who experience loneliness and interpersonal problems, because both are strong predictors that can be improved by a variety of appropriate intervention.

Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress among university students in South India

BACKGROUND

Excessive internet use, psychological distress, and its inter-relationship among university students can impact their academic progress, scholastic competence, career goals, and extracurricular interests. Thus, a need exists to evaluate the addictive internet use among university students.

OBJECTIVES

This study was set up to examine the internet use behaviors, internet addiction (IA), and its association with psychological distress primarily depression among a large group of university students from South India.

METHODS

Totally 2776 university students aged 18-21 years; pursuing undergraduate studies from a recognized university in South India participated in the study. The patterns of internet use and socioeducational data were collected through the internet use behaviors and demographic data sheet, IA test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA and psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms were evaluated with Self-Report Questionnaire-20.

RESULTS

Among the total n = 2776, 29.9% (n = 831) of university students met criterion on IAT for mild IA, 16.4% (n = 455) for moderate addictive use, and 0.5% (n = 13) for severe IA. IA was higher among university students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on the Internet and had psychological distress. Male gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA.

CONCLUSIONS

IA was present among a substantial proportion of university students which can inhibit their academic progress and impact their psychological health. Early identification of risk factors of IA can facilitate the effective prevention and timely initiation of treatment strategies for IA and psychological distress among university students.

Association between physiological oscillations in self-esteem, narcissism and internet addiction: A cross-sectional study

Internet addiction is a novel and relatively uninvestigated form of dependence that is fairly common in adolescent population. Previous research has indicated that it may be associated with other mental health problems, such as dysthymic mood and narcissistic behavior. In our study, we tested the existence and strength of relationship between Internet addiction, self-esteem and narcissism in a student population. On a sample of 244 students, we also investigated social networking activities, such as number of self-portrait photographs ("selfies"), and their potential connection with self-esteem and narcissism. Each participant completed a questionnaire consisting of Young Internet Addiction Test, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and Narcissistic Personality Inventory. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between internet addiction score and self-esteem. Internet addiction increased as self-esteem decreased and vice versa. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between internet addiction and narcissism. NPI score and number of self-portrait photographs (selfies) on Facebook were also in a positive relationship. Conversely, NPI score increased as the self-esteem decreased. The results of the study are in accordance with our previous findings on Internet use and mental health, confirming that Internet addiction is a potentially a serious public health problem.