Internet addiction and depression among university students at school of health sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Date
2022-06
Authors
Zaabah, Intan Lyana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Deteriorating mental health among university students during the COVID-19
pandemic is a serious worldwide public health concern. Internet addiction issue risen during
COVID-19. This study aims to study internet addiction (IA) and depression among university
students in School of Health Sciences, USM. This study is a cross-sectional study. We
collected data from 122 students from January 2022 to March 2022 via convenience
sampling. Internet addiction was measured using 26-items validated by Chen Internet
Addiction (CIAS). Depression was measured using 10 items validated by the Center for
Epidemiological Studies–Depression (CES-D) scale. Descriptive, Pearson Chi-square,
Fisher's Exact test and Pearson's Correlation test were used in this study. There were 122
respondents who participated in this study and mostly 78.7% female students participated.
The most of the respondents were Year Two students (37.7%). The residence of the
respondents mostly from hostel or campus (54.1%). The time spent on internet per day mostly
more than five hours (92.6%) per day. 44 students (36.1%) shown as internet addict. 75.4%
were mildly depressed. There is a significant, moderate and positive correlation between
internet addiction and depression (r =0.481, p <0.001). There is no significant association
between sociodemographic characteristics and internet addiction (p>0.05). This study
implies that lowering the time spent on internet per day is necessary to reduce the hazards to
university students' mental health such as depression.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19 , Psychological aspects