Association of internet addiction with anxiety, stress and quality of life among undergraduate students

Abstract

Background: This study examined undergraduate MBBS and nursing students' quality of life with internet addiction and the association of anxiety and stress. Aim: We aimed to partially replicate the participant's online activities, changes in behaviour by internet addiction, quality of life when internet access was not possible and frequency of internet use. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied in included university involving 400 MBBS and nursing students. World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) scale for assessment of the personal quality of life. Scores of internet addiction test, Beck Anxiety Inventory and WHOQOL-BREF were compared by using the Mann–Whitney test or Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The main findings revealed various risk factors associated with internet addictions, such as psychological distress, anxiety, mood disorders, suicidality, aggression, stress and sleep problems. Most of the intervention studies used an invariant behavioural therapy approach, although other interventions appeared effective in reducing addiction symptoms. Conclusion: Based on the students' addiction finding of an association between quality of life with internet addiction and anxiety and stress problems across combination with high prevalence rates amongst adolescents and university students, the individuals will use these tools. The implication of these findings is further discussed, and research is needed to develop and implement prevention strategies and treatment offers.