Mood Emot.  2020 Jul;18(2):65-71. 10.35986/me.2020.18.2.65.

Associations between Pathological Internet Use and Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality among College Students

• Yoon A
• Jung YE
• Kim MD

• KMID: 2525666
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2020.18.2.65

Abstract

Background
The Internet has become an important global tool used by diverse age groups, especially adolescents and young adults. However, in South Korea, studies on the prevalence of pathological Internet use (PIU) among college students are limited to being compared with those involving adolescents. Therefore, in this report, we assessed the pervasiveness of PIU and its related factors among college students.
Methods
Data were collected from 1,390 college students. PIU was screened using the Self-Report Scale for Measuring Behavior Symptoms of Adults’ PIU. We analyzed the associations between PIU and depression, anxiety, and suicidality. We also used the self-report questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and other clinical factors.
Results
Of the total number of participants, 16.8% (n=234) were identified as problematic Internet users. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, and PIU. Multivariate analysis further showed a significant relation between unsatisfactory school life (odds ratio [OR], 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-6.15; p=0.036), depression (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.03-2.71; p=0.036), and anxiety (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.91-5.93; p<0.001) with PIU.
Conclusion
Depression, anxiety, and suicidality are common in individuals engaged in PIU, with a complex interrelation. Further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms of PIU and develop preventive and treatment strategies.

Keyword

Pathological Internet use; Depression; Anxiety; Suicidality; College students