Relationship between internet addiction, psychopathology and self-esteem among university students

Authors : Ersin BUDAK, İbrahim TAYMUR, Rustem ASKİN, Buket GUNGOR, Hakan DEMİRCİ, Almila AKGUL, Zeynep ANİL SAHİN

Pages : 128-135

Doi:10.18621/eurj.2015.1.3.128

View : 27 | Download : 20

Publication Date : 2015-11-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives. Internet addiction is closely associated with general psychopathology and interpersonal relationships. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between internet addiction, psychopathology and selfesteem among university students. Methods. One hundred and eighty-five volunteer university students were involved in this study. The participants are evaluated with socio-demographic data form, Internet Addiction Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IAS);, Symptom Check List insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SCL-90);, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RSES);. Results. In order to evaluate the internet addiction, the participants were divided into three internet addiction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IA); groups as `none`, `low` and `moderate/high` according to their addiction status. The addiction status was assessed as risk of low level in 59 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(31.89 %); participants, high level in 27 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(14.59 %); participants and none in 99 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(53.51%); participants. A high positive correlation was found between IAS and SCL-90 subscales and RSES insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p <0.001);. In three different IA groups it was found out that all SCL-90 subscale averages increase insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p <0.001);, and RSES subscale averages decrease insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p =0.001); as internet addiction severity increases. According to regression analysis it is seen that, all SCL-90 subscale scores explain 19.4% of IAS scores and, all SCL-90 subscales and RSES subscale scores explain 25% of IAS scores. Conclusions. Significant relationship was found between internet addiction and general psychopathology and self-esteem. This result shows that psychopathology and self-esteem must be taken into consideration as important parameters in approach to internet addiction.
Keywords : Internet addiction, psychopathology, self esteem