Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Currently, the use of the internet is one of the most important tools, which may
lead to negative or positive impact on college or school students. The excessive use of electronic
media may lead to change in the mood, an inability to resist internet usage, a diminishing social
life, withdrawal symptoms while unengaged, affecting self‑esteem, and adverse work or academic
consequences. The main objective of this study is to explore Internet use and its impact on selected
psychological parameters such as depression and insomnia among undergraduate (UG) nursing
students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 385 college students selected by purposive sampling
technique were included in the study. Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT20) for Internet
addiction (IA) assessment, and Beck’s depression inventory Scale to assess level of depression,
and insomnia severity index (ISI) scale to measure insomnia were used.
RESULTS: Among 385 participants, 175 and 210 were male and female, respectively. Demographic
variables such as pursuing course, study year, use of Internet/day; and the purpose of Internet
use such as social networking, games, entertainment, pornography, and news were significantly
associated with IA. Depression and insomnia were found to be correlated with IA.
CONCLUSION: Internet usage more than the normal limit has a profound effect on college or school
students, in particular, depression and insomnia. At times, it ends up in problems in their social and
family relationship.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) is a severe problem, especially in academic communities.
The association between IA and unfavorable emotional conditions (e.g., anxiety, stress, and
depression) can harm students’ relationships and academic and career performance. The present
study evaluated (a) the prevalence of IA in a sample of medical sciences university students; (b) the
association between IA and depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders; and (c) the association
between demographic characteristics and IA, depression, anxiety, and stress.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross‑sectional study, 268 students from Abadan
University of Medical Sciences were selected using Morgan Table. The participants responded to
the Young Internet Addiction Test, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales‑42, and the Pittsburgh
Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient,
independent sample t‑test, one‑way ANOVA, and least significant difference.
RESULTS: The mean score of IA was 45.65 ± 35.40. IA was found to be significantly related to
depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders (except for sleep disturbance) (P < 0.001). Males
were found to be more likely than females to suffer from IA, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep
disorders. Furthermore, age was inversely related to IA, depression, and stress. Finally, medical
sciences students suffered from depression, anxiety, and stress more than students majoring in
other fields.
CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous occurrence of IA and depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep
disorders in students indicates that IA is associated with other psychological problems. Therefore,
researchers and policymakers need to identify preventive measures to help internet‑addicted students.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) currently is the major public health concern, especially
in adolescents, although the results of previous reports are not generally uniform. This study was
conducted to determine IA in adolescents and to examine the correlation of IA with mental health
in adolescents.
METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted in 2019 in Ilam city. In this study, 362 persons
were included using stratified cluster sampling; clusters were geographical area and schools. The valid
questionnaires including Internet Addiction Test and 28‑item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‑28)
were used to interview. The correlation statistical technique was used to determine the association
between the two variables. The significance level was considered <0.05.
RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the responders was 16.40 ± 2.47 years; the total
score of IA and mental health was 43.02 ± 16.50 and 19.27 ± 9.72, respectively. We found that
5.5% of the adolescents had a severe level of IA. The lack of control with anxiety, neglect work and
social dysfunction, and neglect social life and severe depression in internet users were found to be
statistically significant: r (365) = 0.151, P < 0.033; r (365) = 0.126, P < 0.021; and r (365) = 0.125,
P < 0.033, two‑tailed, respectively.
CONCLUSION: According to the results, the excessive use of internet, lack of control, and neglect
social life are significantly correlated with mental health in adolescents; these results could be
contribute to improve the theoretical models for IA in adolescents.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Internet has drastically affected human behavior, and it has positive and
negative effects; however, its excessive usage exposes users to internet addiction. The diagnosis of
students’ mental dysfunction is vital to monitor their academic progress and success by preventing
this technology through proper handling of the usage addiction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive‑analytical study selected 447 students (232 females
and 215 males) of the first and second semesters enrolled at Kermanshah University of Medical
Sciences, Iran, in 2018 by using Cochrane’s sample size formula and stratified random sampling.
The study applied Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28
for data collection. The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through the
t‑test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient by incorporating SPSS Statistics software version 23.0.
RESULTS: The results of the current study specified that the total mean score of the students for
internet addiction and mental health was 3.81 ± 0.88 and 2.56 ± 0.33, correspondingly. The results
revealed that internet addiction positively correlated with depression and mental health, which
indicated a negative relationship (P > 0.001). The multiple regression analysis results showed students’
five significant vulnerability predictors toward internet addiction, such as the critical reason for using
the Internet, faculty, depression, the central place for using the Internet, and somatic symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: The study findings specified that students’ excessive internet usage leads to
anxiety, depression, and adverse mental health, which affect their academic performance. Monitoring
and controlling students’ internet addiction through informative sessions on how to use the Internet
adequately is useful.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Internet is one of the most advanced modern communication technologies. Despite
the positive uses of internet, the existence of extreme behaviors and its harmful consequences has
attracted the attention of all. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between internet
addiction with anxiety and educational performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is a descriptive correlative study. The statistical
population of the study includes a total number of 4401 female students in the high school in the city
of Ilam‑Iran in the academic year of 2017–2018. The sample size includes353 students estimated
using Cochran’s formula. They were selected by random cluster sampling. For data collection, the
Young’s Internet Dependency Questionnaire, Academic Performance Inventory, and Marc et al.,
anxiety Scale were used. Data were analyzed at the significant level of α = 0.05.
RESULTS: The results showed a positive and significant correlation between internet dependency
and students’ anxiety (P < 0.01). There is also a negative and significant correlation between internet
dependency and academic performance of students (P < 0.01), and also a negative and significant
correlation between anxiety and educational performance of students (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: On the one hand, the results indicate a high prevalence of internet dependency and
its significant relationship with anxiety and academic performance in students, and on the other hand,
the negative effect of internet dependency on the students’ educational performance. Therefore, it is
necessary to design some intervention programs to prevent harm to students who are increasingly
interacting with internet. In addition, raising the level of the students’ awareness on the complications
of internet addiction and the proper use of the internet seems to be necessary.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Internet addiction refers to the excessive use of the internet that causes mental,
social, and physical problems. According to the high prevalence of internet addiction among university
students, this study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention on preventive
behaviors of internet addiction among Tehran University of Medical Sciences students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a quasi‑experimental study conducted among female
college students who live in the dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Two‑stage
cluster sampling was used for selection of eighty participants in each study groups; data were
collected using “Young’s Internet Addiction” and unstructured questionnaire. Validity and reliability
of unstructured questionnaire were evaluated by expert panel and were reported as Cronbach’s
alpha. Information of study groups before and 4 months after the intervention was compared using
statistical methods by SPSS 16.
RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean scores of internet addiction, perceived barriers
construct, and the prevalence of internet addiction significantly decreased in the intervention group
than that in the control group and the mean scores of knowledge and Health Belief Model (HBM)
constructs (susceptibility, severity, benefits, self‑efficacy) significantly increased.
CONCLUSIONS: Education based on the HBM was effective on the reduction and prevention of
internet addiction among female college students, and educational interventions in this field are
highly recommended.

Abstract Backgrounds: The present study was carried out in order to compare national and personal
identity and their subscales in internet addicts and nonaddicts. Materials and Methods: This study
was a descriptive-analytical research, and was carried out on 384 student internet users in
different universities in the city of Isfahan who were selected using quota sampling. Subjects
completed the questionnaires, then, subscales of personal and national identity questionnaires
in internet addict and nonaddict were analyzed via SPSS16 software. Results: Results indicated
a significant difference between the scores of national identity and personal identity as well as
all subscales in internet addicts and nonaddicts, except for national heritage and homeland
defence factors. In addition, there was a negative and significant relationship between addiction
to internet and personal and national identity, except for the fourth and fifth factors of national
identity (viewpoints of others considering the national group and homeland defence). Moreover,
after controlling for the sex variable, internet addiction had an effect on personal and national
identity. Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that an excess of internet use and
overinvolvement in cyberspace and the addiction to them, could be associated with defects
in some aspects of national and personal identity.