ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Prevalence of excessive internet use and its

association with psychological distress among
university students in South India
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A B S T R A C T
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Nitin Anand, Background: Excessive internet use, psychological distress, and its inter‑relationship
among university students can impact their academic progress, scholastic competence,
Praveen A Jain1,
career goals, and extracurricular interests. Thus, a need exists to evaluate the addictive
Santosh Prabhu2, internet use among university students. Objectives: This study was set up to examine
Christofer Thomas3, 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.
Aneesh Bhat4,
Methods: Totally 2776 university students aged 18–21 years; pursuing undergraduate
P V Prathyusha5, studies from a recognized university in South India participated in the study. The patterns
Shrinivasa U. Bhat6, 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
Kimberly Young7,
distress primarily depressive symptoms were evaluated with Self‑Report Questionnaire‑20.
Anish V Cherian8 Results: Among the total n = 2776, 29.9% (n = 831) of university students met criterion
Departments of Clinical Psychology, on IAT for mild IA, 16.4% (n = 455) for moderate addictive use, and 0.5% (n = 13) for
5
Biostatistics, 8Psychiatric Social severe IA. IA was higher among university students who were male, staying in rented
Work, Dr. MV Govindaswamy accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on
Centre, National Institute of Mental
the Internet and had psychological distress. Male gender, duration of use, time spent per
Health and Neuro Sciences
(NIMHANS), An Institute of National day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted
Importance, Bengaluru, 1Department IA. Conclusions: IA was present among a substantial proportion of university students
of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical which can inhibit their academic progress and impact their psychological health. Early
College, Manipal, 2Department of identification of risk factors of IA can facilitate the effective prevention and timely initiation
Psychiatry, K. S. Hegde Medical
of treatment strategies for IA and psychological distress among university students.
College, Mangalore, 3Department
of Physiology, Sapthagiri Institute
of Medical Science and Research
Center, Bengaluru, 4Department
of Psychiatry, MIMER Medical
College, Talegoan Dabhade,
Pune, Maharashtra, 6Department
of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical
College, Manipal, Karnataka,
India, 7Department of Strategic
Communication, and Strategic
Leadership, St. Bonaventure
University, New York, USA

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Anish V. Cherian,
Department of Psychiatric Social
Work, Dr. MV Govindaswamy
Centre, National Institute of Mental
Keywords: Depression, excessive internet use, internet addiction, psychological
Health and Neuro Sciences, An distress, university students
Institute of National Importance,
Hosur Road, Bengaluru ‑ 560 029,
Karnataka, India. This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of
E‑mail: anishvcherian@gmail.com the Creative Commons Attribution‑NonCommercial‑ShareAlike 4.0 License,
which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non‑commercially,
Access this article online as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under
Quick Response Code: the identical terms.

Website: www.industrialpsychiatry.org For reprints contact: reprints@medknow.com

How to cite this article: Anand N, Jain PA, Prabhu S, Thomas C,

Bhat A, Prathyusha PV, et al. Prevalence of excessive internet use and
DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_28_18
its association with psychological distress among university students in
South India. Ind Psychiatry J 2018;27:131-40.

131 © 2018 Industrial Psychiatry Journal | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

I nternet addiction (IA) is a quickly growing global

phenomenon among adolescents and young adults[1,2]
and is one among the most significant challenges emerging
social avoidance observed in depressed individuals are
hypothesized to lead to excessive/addictive usage of the
Internet in depressed individuals.[26] Social isolation caused
from the use of the Internet.[3‑5] The prevalence of IA by IA may also lead to depression.[27]
among young adults is reportedly high and is known to vary
from 1.5% to 24.2%.[6‑9] To make communication easier, The primary mental illness is depression or IA is debatable
quicker, and to facilitate safe exchange of information with respect to research evidence. The objective of this
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Internet was developed. Over the years, ever‑increasing study is to investigate the severity of IA and depression
use of the Internet for work and leisure activities has led and its interrelationship among the university students.
to its omnipresent presence across all activities of the day, Research information offered by this study can be of use
and this has disguised the boundaries between functional to a wide array of health professionals such as psychiatrists,
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and dysfunctional internet use. The use of the Internet in psychologists, psychosocial counselors, and mental health
a healthy manner can be understood as achieving a desired professionals at primary care levels to understand the
goal within an appropriate time frame without experiencing severity of the phenomenon and the relationships between
intellectual or behavioral discomfort. psychological factors and IA.

The emergence of the Internet as a medium to interact METHODS

is turning into an absolute need and an effective space
for interchange of ideas, establishing risk free social Participants
connections with strangers, free expression of thoughts, The present study employed a cross‑sectional study
possibility to access prohibited content, involvement in design. Totally 2776 students pursuing undergraduate
unique games, and use of numerous other functions in studies aged between 18 and 21 years, studying in science,
substantial privacy draws individuals of divergent interests commerce, and humanities subject streams at recognized
which has led to exponential rise in use of the Internet.[10‑12] universities, participated in the study. All these university
Internet use is becoming an unavoidable requirement for students were using the Internet for at least 1 year
many of the individuals, mostly young adolescents and duration, were fluent in their ability to read, write, and
adults.[13,14] comprehend English and gave written informed consent
for the study were included in the study. Two university
Some individuals cannot control their use of the Internet colleges situated in South Indian city of Mangalore were
whereas others can limit their use. Excessive use of considered to collect the sample as per the convenience
the Internet has been termed by researchers by use of of the research team.
varied terminologies such as compulsive internet use,[15]
problematic internet use,[16] pathological internet use, and All the students of these two colleges who were present
IA.[17,18] This research study would use the term IA which on the day of data collection were invited to participate
describes it as an individual’s inability to control his or in the study. Totally 2776 students who gave a written
her own use of the Internet causing disturbances and informed consent were included in the study. The
impairment in fulfillment of work, social and personal undergraduate students were chosen as sample for this
commitments.[2,19] study as presence of addictive internet behaviors in this
population can have far‑reaching consequences on the
Research literature suggests that depression is a leading individual’s academic progress in their respective field
comorbid disorder with IA.[20,21] Self‑esteem is one of and at a larger level impact the professional progress of
the core components of depression.[22] It is individual’s these individuals. Ethical approval was received from the
attitude to himself, and it can be either negative or institute ethics board of K. S. Hegde Medical Academy,
positive.[23] Thus, individuals with negative self‑esteem NITTE University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India before
are potential candidates who engage in addictive initiation of the study.
internet behaviors which helps to momentarily free
themselves of their negative self‑esteem, irrational Tools
cognitive assumptions, and associated unpleasant Semi‑structured schedule
emotions.[24,25] The schedule was constructed by the research team to
document information about sociodemographic data
The occurrence of depression among the young individuals and internet usage variables, namely duration, frequency,
with IA and existence of IA among the depressed devices used, time spent on the Internet, craving for
individuals has been observed.[21] The presence of low internet use, attempts to reduce internet use, and similar
self‑esteem, low motivation, fear of negative evaluation, other variables.

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 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

Internet addiction test Statistical analysis

It is a 20 item self‑report scale based on a 5‑point Likert All the study data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version
scale to assess the IA and its severity.[28,29] The scores 22 for Windows (IBM Corporate, Armonk, New York,
for the individual items were summed up for obtaining USA). Spearman’s rank correlation was used to assess the
a total scale which ranges from 20 to 100. The total relationship among the IA and SRQ scores. Mann-Whitney
score was interpreted with the norm criteria of the scale U test and Kruskal- Wallis tests were utilized to detect the
which indicates mild, moderate, or severe categories difference among groups. Logistic Regression analysis was
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IA. IA test (IAT) shows good‑to‑moderate internal carried out to identify the predictors of IA. The significance
consistency (alpha coefficients ‑ 0.54–0.82). IAT has been value for the study results has been set at P <0.05.
evaluated for its content and convergent validity, internal
consistency (ἀ = 0.88), and test‑retest reliability (r = 0.82).
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RESULTS
Self‑Reporting Questionnaire Sociodemographic characteristics of the
The Self‑Report Questionnaire (SRQ) is a 20‑item sample [Table 1]
self‑administered tool developed by the World Health The study sample of n = 2776 comprised undergraduate
Organization specifically for the use in developing countries university students of which 1680 (60.50%) were female,
for screening of mental health conditions at community and 1096 (39.50%) were male participants. The ages of the
settings. SRQ‑20 offers a Yes/No response format to the
individual and is designed to identify psychological distress, Table 1: The distribution of scores by
inclusive of depression, and suicidality.[30] This study had sociodemographic characteristics of the sample
utilized the original form of the questionnaire. Sociodemographics n (%)
Gender
Procedure
Male 1096 (39.50)
The research team had approached two university colleges
Female 1680 (60.50)
situated in the South Indian city of Mangalore who were Age (years)
offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 18‑21 18.61 (1.03); mean (SD)
science, commerce, and humanities subject streams. On Age at first internet use
gaining the permission from each of the university colleges <10 years 110 (4.00)
for conducting this research study, the research assistants 10‑15 years 981 (35.5)
approached the undergraduate students during their free 16‑18 years 1438 (52.00)
hour in the classroom setup on the days of data collection 18 years and above 234 (8.50)
designated by the university college. Each of these Education
university undergraduate students was explained about Undergraduate students 2776 (100)
Preferred time of day for internet use
the nature of the study and was invited to participate in
Morning hours of the day (7 am‑5 pm) 195 (7.00)
this research survey. Totally 2776 undergraduate university
Evening hours of the day (5 pm‑12 am) 313 (11.30)
students who showed willingness to participate and gave
Online throughout the day 262 (9.50)
a written informed consent were included in the study. Use when necessary 2001 (72.20)
Each of these university undergraduate students then Privacy for internet use
completed a set of assessment tools which included a Very low 968 (35.30)
sociodemographic interview schedule, IAT, and the SRQ. Low 491 (17.90)
Each Individual took around 45–60 min to complete the Medium 1045 (38.10)
self‑report tools. It took around 6 months for the collection High 237 (8.60)
of data across the two university colleges. Substance use
Yes 251 (9.10)
There were a total of around 10 research professionals/ No 2522 (90.90)
research assistants who were involved in different capacities Purpose of internet use
for this nonfunded research project. Out of the 10, three were Entertainment 156 (5.6)
Educational 378 (13.7)
Faculty from Department of Psychiatry; K. S. Hegde Medical
Instant messaging 113 (4.1)
Academy, NITTE University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India;
All of these 2118 (76.6)
one faculty and six research assistants from the Department Mental health consultation for excessive
of Psychology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, Karnataka. internet use
The qualifications of this research team ranged from M.D. Yes 49 (1.80)
in Psychiatry, M. Phil and PhD in Psychiatric Social Work, No 2720 (98.20)
and Master’s Degree and PhD in Psychology. SD – Standard deviation

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 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

study sample ranged from 18 to 21 years with the mean age The university students (n = 2776) attained a mean score
being 18.61 (1.03) years. One‑third of the samples (35.50%) of 4.87 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.90) on the SRQ and
initiated internet use between the ages of 10 and 15 years 29.62 (SD = 18.95) on the IAT. A positive correlation was
and more than half of the study samples (52.00%) had the found between psychological distress (depression) and
first use of the Internet between ages of 16 and 18 years. IA (rs = 0.363; P ≤ 0.001). The students who have higher
Mental health consultation was reportedly sought by SRQ scores were likely to engage in the addictive use of
around (n = 49) 1.80% of the study sample for engaging the Internet.
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in problematic/excessive use of the Internet.

DISCUSSION
Internet use characteristics and internet addiction test
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scores [Table 2] Internet addiction and prevalence

Of the total n = 2776, 29.9% (n = 831) of university The university students engaged in severe addictive
students met criterion on IAT for mild addictive internet use of the Internet were 0.5% and 16.4% qualified for
use, 16.4% (n = 455) for moderate addictive internet use, moderate IA as per the criteria offered by IAT.[17] The
and 0.5% (n = 13) for severe IA. Addictive internet present study findings on the prevalence of severe
use behaviors were significantly higher among male IA are similar to those indicated by other studies on
university students (P ≤ 0.001). A trend toward positive university students ‑ medical (1.2%; 0.7%) and dental
correlation (rs = 0.163; P ≤ 0.001) was observed between students (2.3%; 4.7%) from India.[31,32] The studies on
age and IA scores which suggests that as an individual’s age undergraduate university students too have indicated a
increases (in this age range of 18–21 years) their risk for prevalence rate of severe IA ranging from 0.3% in India,[33]
addictive internet use becomes higher. University students 2.2% in Iranian university students[34] 2.8% in Iran medical
who engaged in excessive/addictive use of internet were students,[35] 5.6% in Greece,[36] 9.7% in Turkey,[37] 11.5% in
staying in rented accommodations (P ≤ 0.765), used Chile,[38] and 13.2% in Iran.
both laptops and mobiles (P ≤ 0.001), spent 180 min
or more in a day on the Internet (P ≤ 0.001), accessed The present study findings are similar to prevalence rates of
internet several times in a day (P ≤ 0.001), used internet moderate IA reported by other Indian studies which ranged
for >4 years (P ≤ 0.001), expressed craving for use of the from 7.45% in medical students[39] to 7.4%[33] and 15.2% in
Internet (P ≤ 0.001) and had made lesser attempts to reduce university undergraduates.[40] A study from Iran indicated
excessive internet use (P ≤ 0.003). 8% of university students were engaged in moderate levels
of IA.[34] The variations in sample sizes, instruments used,
Internet use characteristics and Self‑Report and different populations which were assessed across
Questionnaire scores [Table 3] different periods of time may be the likely factors for the
Psychological distress on SRQ was nearly equal among difference in results of prevalence reported across studies.
female and male university students (P = 0.337).
University students who experienced psychological Internet addiction and sociodemographic characteristics
distress were staying away from home in rented The regression and correlation analysis findings of
accommodations (P = 0.013), used both laptops and the study indicate that university students who are
mobiles to access internet (P ≤ 0.001), spent 180 min or comparatively older in the study age range were at higher
more in a day on the Internet (P ≤ 0.001), used internet risk for indulging in IA. These findings are in overall
for >2 years (P ≤ 0.001), accessed internet several times agreement to those reported among university students
a day (P ≤ 0.001), expressed craving for use of the in China.[41] The initial years of university education offer
Internet (P ≤ 0.001) and had made no significant attempts a sudden shift to minimal parental control and increases
to reduce the usage of the Internet (P ≤ 0.703). opportunities for self‑expression, use of self‑control,
and coping strategies. Those young individuals who lack
Stepwise regression analysis [Table 4] self‑control in context of decreased parental monitoring
The stepwise regression analysis indicated that university are at higher risk for IA.[42]
students who were male (odds ratio [OR] = 2.801, P ≤ 0.001),
used the Internet for duration of > 4 years (OR = 1.959; Our study indicated that IA behaviors were significantly higher
P ≤ 0.001), spent more than 180 min in day on among male university students in comparison to female
internet (OR = 6.357, P ≤ 0.001), accessed internet several university students (P ≤ 0.001). In our study, male gender also
times a day (OR = 2.471, P ≤ 0.001) and were experiencing predicted IA. The present study finding is similar to other
psychological distress, namely depression (OR = 1.175; study results from India.[33,43] Studies conducted in Iran,[34]
P ≤ 0.001) were at higher risk for engaging in IA. Greece,[44] Taiwan,[7] also reveal similar findings with respect

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 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

Table 2: Distribution of mean scores of the students on the Internet addiction test according to some
of the characteristics of their internet usage
Characteristics of their n (%) Median (IQR) Statistical P Multiple comparisons
internet usage (IQR=Q3‑Q1) analyses U/χ2
Gender
Male 1096 (39.50) 37 (50‑24) 568,136.00 <0.001*
Female 1680 (60.50) 22 (36‑10)
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Residence environment
Home and relatives 2101 (76.15) 28 (43‑14) 685,910.500. 0.765*
Hostel and rented 658 (23.85) 29 (43‑13)
accommodation ‑ PG
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Technology device used

DL 389 (14.1) 17 (32‑7) DL versus MT; DL versus both (P<0.001)
MT 1639 (59.3) 29 (44‑15) 74.604 <0.001# MT versus both (P=0.024)
Both 736 (26.6) 32 (47‑17)
Duration of internet use
<2 years 855 (30.92) 15 (30‑6) <2 versus 2‑4;<2 versus>4 (P<0.001)
2‑4 years 701 (25.35) 30 (45‑16) 266.140 <0.001# 2‑4 versus>4 (P<0.001)
4 years and above 1209 (43.72) 35 (49‑22)
Frequency of internet
usage
OAD 486 (17.6) 20 ( 34‑9) OAD versus STAD; OAD versus MTAD (P<0.001)
STAD 1248 (45.1) 36 (50‑24) 322.449 <0.001# O versus STAD (P<0.001)
MTAD 357 (12.9) 27 (41‑14) MTAD versus STAD (P<0.001)
O 675 (24.4) 17 (31‑8) O versus MTAD; O versus STAD (P<0.001)
Time spent on internet
per day
<30 min 535 (19.4) 14 (28‑5) <30 min versus 30‑60 min; <30 min versus 60‑180
min; <30 min versus >180 min (P<0.001)
30 min‑60 min 1017 (36.9) 23 (37‑11) 30‑60 min versus 60‑180 min; 30‑60 min versus >180
min (P<0.001)
60 min‑180 min 684 (24.8) 34 (46‑21) 471.160 <0.001# 60‑180 min versus >180 min (P<0.001)
180 min and above 521 (18.9) 45 (58‑31)
Privacy for internet use
Very low 968 (35.30) 18 (33‑8)
Low 491 (17.90) 24 (38‑12)
Medium 1045 (38.1) 35 (49‑22)
High 237 (8.60) 43 (54‑27)
Money spent on internet
use each month (INR)
<100 957 (34.6) 17 (32‑7) <100 versus 100‑200; <100 versus 200‑500; <100
versus >500 (P<0.001)
100‑200 1125 (40.7) 31 (45‑18) 100‑200 versus 200‑400; versus >500 (P<0.001)
200‑500 344 (12.5) 38 (51‑24) 271.996 <0.001# 200‑500 versus >500 (P<0.001)
500 and more 336 (12.2) 38 (53‑23)
Ever felt craving for
internet use
Yes 826 (29.8) 44 (56‑31)
No 1946 (70.2) 22 ( 35‑10) 348,835.0 <0.001*
Attempts to reduce
internet use
Yes 1526 (55.1) 27 (41‑14)
No 1242 (44.9) 30 (46‑14) 885,455.500 <0.003*
IA severity
sub‑classification
Score 0‑30, none 1477 (53.2)
Score 31‑49, mild 831 (29.9)
Score 50‑79, moderate 455 (16.4)

Contd...

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 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

Table 2: Contd...
Characteristics of their n (%) Median (IQR) Statistical P Multiple comparisons
internet usage (IQR=Q3‑Q1) analyses U/χ2
Score 80‑100, severe 13 (0.5)
*Mann–Whitney U‑test; #Kruskal–Wallis test; Only significant values in multiple comparisons are reported. IQR – Interquartile range; DL – Desktop/laptop; MT – Mobile/tablet;
OAD – Once a day; STAD – Several times a day; MTAD – Many times a day; O – Occasionally; IA – Internet addiction; INR – Indian rupee
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Table 3: Distribution of the mean scores of the students on the self‑report questionnaire according to
some of their characteristics of internet usage
Characteristics of their internet usage n (%) Median (IQR) U/χ2 P Multiple comparisons
(IQR=Q3‑Q1)
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Gender
Male 1096 (39.50) 4 (7‑2)
Female 1680 (60.50) 4 (7‑2) 900,885.00 <0.337*
Residence environment
Home and relatives 2101 (76.15) 4 (7‑2) 647,109.500.
Hostel and rented accommodation‑ PG 658 (23.85) 5 ( 8‑2) 0.013*
Technology device used
DL 389 (14.1) 3 (6‑1) DL versus MT; DL versus both (P<0.001)
MT 1639 (59.3) 4 (7‑2) 20.515 <0.001#
Both 736 (26.6) 4 (8‑2)
Duration of internet use
<2 years 855 (30.92) 3 (6‑1) <2 versus 2‑4; <2 versus >4 (P<0.001)
2‑4 years 701 (25.35) 5 (8‑2) 22.082 <0.001#
4 years and above 1209 (43.72) 4 (8‑2)
Frequency of internet usage
OAD 486 (17.6) 3 (6‑1) OAD versus STAD (P<0.001)
STAD 1248 (45.1) 5 (8‑2)
MTAD 357 (12.9) 3 (7‑1) 37.161 <0.001# MTAD versus STAD (P<0.001)
O 675 (24.4) 3 (7‑1) O versus STAD (P<0.001)
Time spent on internet per day
<30 min 535 (19.4) 4 (7‑1) <30 versus 60‑180 min; <30 versus
>180 min (P<0.001)
30 min‑60 min 1017 (36.9) 3 (7‑1) 30‑60 min versus 60‑180 min; 30‑60
min versus >180 min (P<0.001)
60 min‑180 min 684 (24.8) 5 (8‑2) 38.663 <0.001#
180 min and above 521 (18.9) 6 (9‑2)
Privacy for internet use
Very low 968 (35.30) 3 (7‑1)
Low 491 (17.90) 4 (7‑1)
Medium 1045 (38.1) 5 (8‑2)
High 237 (8.60) 5 (9‑2)
Money spent on internet use each
month (INR)
<INR 100 957 (34.6) 3 (6‑1) <100 versus 100‑200; versus 200‑500;
versus >500 (P<0.001)
100‑200 1125 (40.7) 4 (8‑2)
200‑500 344 (12.5) 5 (8‑2) 37.296 <0.001#
500 and more 336 (12.2) 5 (8‑2)
Ever felt craving for internet use
Yes 826 (29.8) 6 (9‑3)
No 1946 (70.2) 3 (6‑1) 539,911.500 <0.001*
Attempts to reduce internet use
Yes 1526 (55.1) 4 (7‑2)
No 1242 (44.9) 4 (7‑2) 939,695.5 <0.703*
*Mann–Whitney U‑test; #Kruskal–Wallis test; Only significant values in multiple comparisons are reported. IQR – Interquartile range; DL – Desktop/laptop; MT – Mobile/tablet;
OAD – Once a day; STAD – Several times a day; MTAD – Many times a day; O – Occasionally; IA – Internet addiction; INR – Indian rupee

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 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

Table 4: Stepwise regression analysis for findings suggest that university students who were engaging
predictors of internet addiction in more than 3 h of internet use per day in nonacademic
B SE P OR 95% CI for internet activities had higher levels of IA (P ≤ 0.001). Our
exp (B) study indicated that time spent on internet per day and daily
Lower Upper frequencies of internet use were variables which predicted
Age −0.002 0.045 0.965 0.998 0.913 1.091 IA. The severity levels of IA increase with increase in
Sex 1.030 0.097 0.000 2.801 2.316 3.389 duration of internet use is consistently suggested by
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SRQ score 0.161 0.012 0.000 1.175 1.147 1.204 research evidence from many studies.[51‑53] Thus, findings
Duration of internet apparently imply that when the time spent by students on
use (years)
internet use becomes greater, the risk of becoming addicted
<2 0.000
to internet multiplies and becomes higher.
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2‑4 0.619 0.127 0.000 1.856 1.447 2.382

>4 0.672 0.122 0.000 1.959 1.542 2.489
Time spent on
University students who accessed internet several times a
internet day (P ≤ 0.001) and remained online throughout the day
<30 min 0.000 also had higher levels of IA. Another study from India[54]
30 min to 1 h 0.675 0.141 0.000 1.963 1.491 2.586 corroborated with the findings of the present study.
1‑3 h 1.113 0.152 0.000 3.044 2.259 4.102 Individuals who were using both mobiles and computer
>3 h 1.850 0.173 0.000 6.357 4.525 8.930 tablets experienced higher levels of IA. Mobile phones and
Frequency of computer tablets have become nearly inseparable gadgets
internet usage
Once a day 0.000
of youth as it offers easy accessibility, affordability, and
Several times a 0.321 0.150 0.032 1.379 1.028 1.851
connectivity to the Internet throughout the day and these
day characteristics in itself appear to intensify internet addictive
Many times a day 0.905 0.123 0.000 2.471 1.942 3.144 behaviors.[26]
Occasionally 0.646 0.161 0.000 1.907 1.392 2.614
Constant −3.200 0.837 0.000 0.041 Our study also indicates that students who had higher levels
OR – Odds ratio; SE – Standard Error; CI – Confidence interval; SRQ – Self report of IA scores were using the Internet for more than 4 years
questionnaire
and the duration of use was a variable which predicted IA.
Duration of internet use was also predictor for IA among
to gender differences. The findings of meta‑analytic research university students in Turkey.[55] In our sample, 43.72% of
of studies conducted between 1996 and 2006 support the university students had internet use of 4 years and above.
vulnerability of male gender to IA.[45] It can be understood that However, this finding does not necessarily highlight the
since socialization offers lesser restriction to males in a majority time duration required for the emergence of IA since its
of cultural contexts, there is a higher involvement of males in initial use by the individual. Another study conducted in
internet chatting, online gaming, online gambling, virtual sex, India suggested time duration of 6 years between first use
and pornography[46‑49] which increases the probability of males and development of IA.[56] However, this time duration
becoming addicted to the Internet. In addition, the potential may steadily reduce over the years with the increase in
risk for males for IA increases as they are more efficient at accessibility of the Internet at cheaper rates in India. It is
using computers, mobile phones, internet tools, receive lesser interesting to note the occurrence that why new challenges
supervision by parents and thus end up using the Internet keep arising with invention of newer technologies which are
more for entertainment needs and in the process intensifying created in the first place to solve existing challenges. Nearly
their opportunities for IA.[50] 55.5% university students who were aware about IA had
made attempts to reduce internet use. This indicates that
University students staying away from their families, in rented the first initial step toward the healthy use of technology
accommodations, were at a higher risk of developing IA. This can be awareness generation about IA among university
study finding is in alignment with studies done in India[39] and students and faculty.
Iran[50] which too suggested IA is higher among students who
stay independently. The experience of boredom, loneliness, Internet addiction and psychological distress
and availability of privacy, ease of the Internet access, and The presence of psychological distress appears to be a
minimal presence of parental supervision are factors which significant factor which has the potential to increase the
likely escalate the excessive use of the Internet. risk of IA. Regression analysis indicated university students
who had psychological distress (depressive symptoms)
Internet addiction and internet use characteristics predicted IA or were at risk for engaging in IA behaviors.
The amount of time an individual spends on the Internet The correlation between depression and IA observed in this
is a crucial factor which increases risk of IA. Our study study has been reported by other studies.[47,49,57‑59] It is to be

Industrial Psychiatry Journal  137 Volume 27 | Issue 1 | January-June 2018

 Anand, et al.: Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress

observed that a noticeable proportion of the present study psychological distress as there is a substantial possibility
sample 1.80% (n = 49) had in the recent past approached that they coexist and can magnify each other. Early
a mental health professional for excessive internet use. intervention can be offered to young adults if efforts are
directed toward the identification and timely referrals to
The beginning of an undergraduate course in university specialized centers of psychological care. Nearly 55.5% of
brings with itself a set of challenges and a phase of university students who knew about IA had made attempts
transition in youth life. Many students stay in rented to reduce internet use. Thus, awareness generation
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accommodations or in university hostel to address the initiatives about IA and its risk factors among students
requirements of the course. In addition, this transition and faculty will be a valuable initial step towards healthy
requires them to solve everyday challenges of staying out of use of the Internet. Upcoming studies can evaluate the
home, taking care of one’s health, form new interpersonal
nYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC4/OAVpDDa8K2+Ya6H515kE= on 04/21/2025

relationship of IA and depression in a manner which is

relationships, and gather social and emotional support. The more inclusive.
individuals who are vulnerable can experience boredom,
loneliness, and depression during this phase of transition Financial support and sponsorship
in young adulthood. Nil.

In this context, the Internet can be viewed by some Conflicts of interest

individuals as a medium to cope up with the psychological There are no conflicts of interest.
distress caused by the new challenges. To establish new
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