INTERNET ADDICTION AND DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN PUNCAK ALAM: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Received 2023-08-18; Accepted 2024-02-23; Published 2024-08-01

Authors

  • Adibah Fathihah Mohd Azhari Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat 9s, Jalan Bintang 1, Taman Koperasi Bahagia, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor.
  • Nurul Hidayah Mohd Makhtar Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara 11, Jalan Teknologi, Taman Sains Selangor, 1, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
  • Roslinda Isa Centre for Nursing Studies, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Siti Nor Ismalina Isa Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, (UiTM) Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Selangor, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/jummec.vol27no2.16

Keywords:

Internet Addiction, Depression, Movement Control Order (MCO), COVID-19

Abstract

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial disruptions on a worldwide scale. People all over the world were expected to face a variety of mental health issues during this outbreak. Internet addiction may become a serious problem among adolescents, especially during online distance learning. Assessing adolescents' heavy Internet use is crucial for determining their psychological health. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of internet addiction and depression among adolescents in Puncak Alam, Selangor, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 respondents aged 13 to 17. The convenience sampling method was employed, where respondents completed questionnaires comprising eight items related to demographic information, 19 items based on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and 10 items related to the Depression scale, all specific to the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study revealed that 36.8% of respondents exhibited a mild level of Internet addiction, and 45.5% displayed a mild level of depression. A statistically significant (p = 0.01) yet weak positive correlation (r = 0.195) was identified between Internet addiction and depression, indicating that as Internet addiction increases, so does the level of depression, albeit weakly. These findings highlight the presence of mild Internet addiction and depression among adolescents. In the wake of the pandemic, it becomes crucial to tackle these issues through focused interventions and continuous research, aiming to bolster the mental health of young individuals in this digital era.

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Published

2024-08-01

Issue

Section

Research article