Exploring internet addiction during Covid‐19 pandemic: a comparative study considering psychological, social, familial and individual aspects in University students

Abstract

Abstract Background Internet addiction causes a variety of social, interpersonal, psychological, and physical issues. We are confronting a worldwide crisis about internet addiction and its effects. Objectives Utilizing five questionnaires to survey university students during the COVID‐19 epidemic, the current study sought to evaluate internet addiction and associated risk variables. Methods At the University of Medical Sciences in North Iran, a cross‐sectional analytical investigation was carried out. The sample was done among 318 students, selected through the random cluster sampling method. Data collection was done during August and September 2021. Results Based on our findings, the prevalence of internet addiction was 28.9% (92/318). Our results revealed that women are at twice the twice the risk of internet addiction as men (p = 0.028). Students in the medicinal field (p = 0.043; students with a positive history of mental illness in the family) p = 0.001 (and students with a fear of COVID‐19) p = 0.002 (recognized in the risk of Internet addiction, thus depression) p < 0.001 (anxiety) p < 0.001 (somatization) p = 0.001 (and psychological distress) p < 0.001 are risk factors for internet addiction. Age, marital status, place of living, total social support, and use of Alcohol/cigarettes are not risk factors for internet addiction. Conclusions The findings suggest that university students with a fear of COVID‐19, depression, anxiety, somatization, psychological distress and a positive history of mental illness in the family, particularly medicinal field students, are at significant risk for Internet addiction.

Keywords

• addictive behaviors
• COVID‐19
• internet addiction
• university students