Internet Addiction among Undergraduate Medical Students and Its Relationship with Alexithymia, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in an Indian Medical College: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Internet addiction (IA) is a rising issue, particularly among university students. The presence of comorbid psychiatric distress can worsen the impact of IA on academic and social functioning. Alexithymia, difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions may play a role in this relationship. This study aimed to assess the severity and association of IA, psychological distress, and alexithymia among undergraduate medical students in India. This was a cross-sectional study of 380 undergraduate medical students following convenience sampling, studying in Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), Mysuru. Sociodemographic details were collected, and participants completed the Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT-20), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-20. Descriptive statistics expressed as frequencies, means, and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Chi-square test to find out the association between two categorical variables. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to find the correlation involving ordinal variables. Statistical significance was set at p<.05. About 45.7% were aged 18–20 years, male (58.4%), and from urban areas (54.2%). On IAT, 26.6% showed mild addiction, 11.6% had moderate addiction, and 1.3% had severe dependence. Psychological distress with 42.1% experienced depression, 42.4% anxiety, and 20.0% stress symptoms. In addition, 25.0% were classified as alexithymia. Significant correlations were found between grades of depression, anxiety, stress, and alexithymia with gender, residence, psychiatric illness in family, substance, and Internet use. The study population revealed a high prevalence of IA and psychiatric distress among undergraduate medical students. These findings highlight the need for interventions and support services targeting IA and related psychological distress among medical students.