Investigation of Psychological Distress Resulting from Internet Addiction Among University Graduate Students of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Internet has infiltrated our everyday activities. Worldwide Internet addiction is a young people's recently emerging well-being and social issue that causes neurological complications, psychological disorders, and social issues. Internet addicts find the importance of the internet more important than family, friends and the job. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of internet use and Internet addiction as well as its psychological distress and depression among university undergraduate students of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The study was conducted among 138 students selected from four universities of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The measures included socio-demographic questions, internet, family and society or community variables. The Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2) were used to determine Internet addiction and depression respectively. Results revealed that the university students showed varying degrees of Internet addiction and depression with respect to gender, age, year of study and residential status etc. The current study included 138 participants of whom 58(41.3%) were male and 81(58.7%) female subjects. Place of current study is the only socio-demographic variable which is statistically significant and internet use variables such as total spending hours and friends or colleagues using internet for a long time are seen to be strongly associated with internet addiction test. Academic year was statistically significant where 1st year students had the highest depression level (40%) whereas 2 nd year students had the maximum amount of low depression level (66%). Mother’s occupation and place of current stay were seen to be statistically significant (p value < 0.05). Besides, personality type, emotional detachment from family members and friends/colleagues using internet for a long time were found to be significant (p value < 0.05). This study observed that university undergraduate students are at very close to the danger of Internet addiction and its pathological impact on depression. Therefore, the new generation is at great risk. However, without Internet scientific thinking is not possible. So there is prerequisite for parents and caregivers to monitor the internet use and activity of the students and only the rational use of the internet can be fruitful in the long run.