Internet addiction and depression levels in Erciyes University students

Abstract

Objective: The study was carried out to determine Internet addiction and depression levels among university students, the effects of some socio-demographic factors on these levels, and association between Internet addiction and depressive symptom levels. Method: This descriptive study was performed in Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Economics and Administrative Sciences Erciyes University in 2015. A total of 1288 students were included in the study. Data were collected via socio-demographic questionnaire of 27 questions, Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The students were visited in their classrooms and informed about the study by the researchers. The questionnaires and scales were collected after being filled in by the students, under the supervision of the researchers. Results: Mean IAS and BDI scores were calculated as 12.1±9.1 and 27.7±14.7, respectively. Depressive symptoms were found in 26.4% of the students whereas, Internet addiction in 0.2% and limited symptoms of Internet addiction in 7.5%. Mean IAS score was found higher among men, whereas mean BDI score was higher among women. A significant correlation was found between IAS and BDI scores (r=0.325, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Approximately 8% of the students are under the risk of Internet addiction. There is a significant association between Internet addiction and depression scores. But, it is not clear which of these two factors affects the other.