A Survey on some Psychopathologic Correlates of Internet Addiction among Highschool Students in Yasuj

Abstract Background & aim: In recent years, the Internet has become one of the most important academic and recreational tools for students. Internet addiction is a newly emergent disorder. It has been found to be associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Information about such coexisting psychiatric disorders is essential to understand the mechanism of Internet addiction. The present study aimed to investigate psychopathologic correlates of internet addiction among high school students in Yasuj.   Methods: The sample consisted of 220 high school students (118 female and 102 male, aged 15-19) from the Yasuj highschools. The Internet Addiction Test, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were employed in the collection of data. The data was analyzed using SPSS-21. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and the t-test were used for data analysis.   Results: Results revealed a significant positive correlations between depression, anxiety, and stress with Internet addiction (P< 0.01). Furthermore, depression, stress, and anxiety were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction (P< 0/000). Anxiety which accounted for 12% of the variance, was the best predictor, followed by depression (2%) and stress (2%). Prevalence of internet addiction was significantly higher among male subjects. Finally, our results suggested that Self-Esteem is largely irrelevant for internet addiction (P> 0.05).   Conclusion: The present research proposed that depressive, anxious and stressful individuals were particularly susceptible to problematic internet use. Furthermore, depression, stress and anxiety may be one of the strongest influences, if not the major determinant of internet addiction. These findings were compatible with the social compensation hypothesis that states the internet primarily benefiths individuals who feel uncomfortable communicating face to face. This findings also is compatible with the explanation that depressed, tense, and anxious individuals may find it easier to interact online where anonymity can be maintained rather than engage in face to face interaction where being observed by others might induce a fear of negative evaluation.