Nitin Anand1, Christofer Thomas2, Pravin A Jain3, Aneesh Bhat4, Chriss Thomas5, P V Prathyusha6, Shalini Aiyappa7, Shrinivasa Bhat8, Kimberly Young9, Anish V Cherian10. 1. Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 2. Department of Physiology, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. 4. MIMER Medical College, Talegaon, Dabhade, Pune, India. 5. Jubilee Mission College of Nursing, Thrissur, Kerala, India. 6. Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 7. Department of Psychology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. 8. Department of Psychiatry, K.S Hegde Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. 9. Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery and St.Bonaventure University, New York, USA. 10. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: anishvcherian@gmail.com.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Moustafa Sayed; Christina Medhat Naiim; Marina Aboelsaad; Michael Kamal Ibrahim Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-09-26 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Wenjie Yang; Nobuaki Morita; Zhijuan Zuo; Kyoko Kawaida; Yasukazu Ogai; Tamaki Saito; Wenyan Hu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-09 Impact factor: 3.390