The relationship between Internet addiction with depression and anxiety among Iranian adolescents

BACKGROUND: Currently, the Internet has become an indispensable part of individuals' lives. Given the increasing use of the Internet, especially among students, it is essential to analyze its impacts on the psychological characteristics of individuals. The present study was carried out aiming to determine the relationship between Internet addiction with depression and anxiety among the adolescents. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all high school students of the city of Sanandaj, Iran. The study subjects included 595 students (285 girls and 310 boys) which were selected through cluster random sampling. The data collection tools in this study included Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Young, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, regression analysis, and chi-square test. RESULTS: It has been found that 28.7% of the students had Internet addiction. There was a significant correlation between Internet addiction and depression (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001) and school grade (P = 0.002). However, no significant relationship was reported between Internet addiction and sex (P = 0.560), parental separation (P = 0.860) and parents' death (P = 0.722). Moreover, the results of regression analysis showed that these variables altogether could predict 36% of Internet addiction among these subjects. CONCLUSION: The increasing Internet addiction in the Iranian society is associated with depression and anxiety. Therefore, providing educational programs for students and parents to use the Internet properly and diagnosis and treatment of Internet addiction among students are recommended.