Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute

Background: The internet and smartphones have a strong potential for addiction. Excessive use of these technologies can have adverse effects on psychological well-being of the users. Objectives: The objective of the study is to find out the effects of internet addiction (IA) and smartphone addiction...

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Main Authors: Sumeet Bhatt, Ambika Gaur
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijph.in/article.asp?issn=0019-557X;year=2019;volume=63;issue=4;spage=313;epage=317;aulast=Bhatt
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author Sumeet Bhatt
Ambika Gaur
author_facet Sumeet Bhatt
Ambika Gaur
author_sort Sumeet Bhatt
collection DOAJ
description Background: The internet and smartphones have a strong potential for addiction. Excessive use of these technologies can have adverse effects on psychological well-being of the users. Objectives: The objective of the study is to find out the effects of internet addiction (IA) and smartphone addiction (SA) on psychological outcomes of dental students in an Indian institute. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 320 dental students were assessed for their internet and smartphone habits using the Young's IA test (YIAT) and the SA scale (SAS), respectively. Psychological outcomes were evaluated using the insomnia severity index, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: The median YIAT score was 35 and interquartile range (IQR) of 24–49 with 23% subjects reporting potential IA. The median SAS score was 108 (IQR 91.25–128). Both IA and SA were significantly associated with participants' year of the study. Significant correlations were observed between IA and SA with psychological parameters. Conclusions: The association of IA and SA with psychological parameters shows how these habits can affect the users' mental well-being. Public especially young adults should be made aware about potential harmful effects of the internet and smartphones.
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spelling doaj.art-def6e8a001a94863a2060599ba0d29a22022-12-21T17:51:07ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Public Health0019-557X2019-01-0163431331710.4103/ijph.IJPH_330_18Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental instituteSumeet BhattAmbika GaurBackground: The internet and smartphones have a strong potential for addiction. Excessive use of these technologies can have adverse effects on psychological well-being of the users. Objectives: The objective of the study is to find out the effects of internet addiction (IA) and smartphone addiction (SA) on psychological outcomes of dental students in an Indian institute. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 320 dental students were assessed for their internet and smartphone habits using the Young's IA test (YIAT) and the SA scale (SAS), respectively. Psychological outcomes were evaluated using the insomnia severity index, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: The median YIAT score was 35 and interquartile range (IQR) of 24–49 with 23% subjects reporting potential IA. The median SAS score was 108 (IQR 91.25–128). Both IA and SA were significantly associated with participants' year of the study. Significant correlations were observed between IA and SA with psychological parameters. Conclusions: The association of IA and SA with psychological parameters shows how these habits can affect the users' mental well-being. Public especially young adults should be made aware about potential harmful effects of the internet and smartphones.http://www.ijph.in/article.asp?issn=0019-557X;year=2019;volume=63;issue=4;spage=313;epage=317;aulast=Bhattinternet addictionpsychological outcomessmartphone addiction
spellingShingle Sumeet Bhatt
Ambika Gaur
Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
Indian Journal of Public Health
internet addiction
psychological outcomes
smartphone addiction
title Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
title_full Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
title_fullStr Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
title_full_unstemmed Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
title_short Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute
title_sort psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an indian dental institute
topic internet addiction
psychological outcomes
smartphone addiction
url http://www.ijph.in/article.asp?issn=0019-557X;year=2019;volume=63;issue=4;spage=313;epage=317;aulast=Bhatt
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