THE INFLUENCE OF INTERNET ADDICTION ON DEPRESSION INDICATORS IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The purpose of the study. To study the effect of internet-addiction on depression scores among medical university students. Materials and methods. The study involved 145 students of both sexes studying at a medical university. The CIAS scale used to assess the level of internet-addiction. Analysis of the frequency and severity of depression carried out using the HADS scale. Results. It found that a pronounced and stable pattern of internet-dependent behavior on the CIAS scale was detected in 8,2% of the surveyed medical students. Symptoms of depression of varying severity were twice as common among female medical students. When studying the influence of internet-dependent behavior on depression indicators, it was found that among students with Internet addiction, people with symptoms of depression of varying severity were more common, compared with students who are prone to internet-addiction and do not have addiction. Conclusion. The study revealed the presence of a high level of depressive disorders in students with internet-addiction studying at a medical university.