Internet Use, Internet Addiction, and Mental Health Among Adult Population: Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis of research on mental health and internet use among adults highlights a complex relationship between technology behaviors and well-being. Further, it was noted that excessive internet use has been linked to mental health outcomes. In order to explore this fact, a literature survey was conducted covering from January 2003 to January 2024 using the Scopus database. The researchers identified 200 documents with 186 articles and reviews, which were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, and R-studio. The findings indicate that China, Canada, Hungary, Spain, India, and the UK lead in scientific production and citations. The co-word analysis identifies key emerging trends such as social and internet-related mental health, sleep, psychological risks, and the influence of sex and depression in internet use. Key untouched areas include the need for patient counselling, the relationship between internet addiction and psychosomatic disorders, and the impacts of excessive social media use on mental health. It also explores the physical health impacts of internet addiction, identifying associations with musculoskeletal pain and hypertension. Bibliographic coupling reveals five promising themes: the interconnection of mental health and addictive internet behaviors influenced by demographics, the evolving landscape of internet addiction and mental health research in adult populations, the dual-edged influence of internet use on mental health and social well-being, the impact of digital media on behavioral and psychological health, and the mental health effects of excessive digital behavior. The study concludes that there is a need for targeted intervention and to implement necessary actions for prevention, specifically for the adult population.