Assessment of the Internet Addiction Disorder and its Association with Anxiety and Depression in Young Indian Adults: A Cross Sectional Study
Abstract:
The phenomenon of involuntary
engagement with internet devices, accompanied by a sense of emptiness in their absence,
characterizes internet addiction disorder. A comprehensive meta-analysis spanning
80 studies worldwide from 1996 to 2012, involving 89,281 participants across 31
countries, revealed a 6% prevalence of this disorder among young individuals globally.
A separate study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) investigated
2,755 participants aged 18-65 in India, finding a prevalence rate of 1.3% for internet
addiction. Notably, this disorder has not yet been recognized as Internet Addiction
Disorder (IAD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Numerous studies have examined the prevalence of internet addiction in the Indian
population. This current study aimed to assess the prevalence, impact, and available
treatment options for internet addiction among Indian adults. Utilizing a cross-sectional,
close-ended online survey questionnaire distributed among the general public and
experts, a total of 303 responses were collected. The findings revealed that 33.3%
of Indian adults were addicted to the internet, with varying degrees of severity:
severely (1.7%), moderately (10.2%), and mildly (20.8%) addicted. Notably, most
severely addicted individuals (80%) fell within the 26-35 years age range. Male
participants exhibited a higher prevalence of internet addiction compared to females
(57.1% vs. 42.9%), with males also displaying a greater propensity for addiction
(71.9% vs. 28.1%). Further analysis indicated that 11.2% of addicted individuals
experienced symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, with males affected at a rate
50% higher than females.
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