Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in Malaysia
Introduction: Internet has revolutionized the information age. However, excessive internet use has led to health issues among users and the most commonly reported psychological problem is depression. Yet, there is dearth of research in this area among college students in Malaysia. Objective: The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation
2017
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/44353/ http://eprints.usm.my/44353/1/imj%2024%286%29%20447-27Othman.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848880037359517696 |
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| author | Othman, Zahiruddin Chung, Wah Lee |
| author_facet | Othman, Zahiruddin Chung, Wah Lee |
| author_sort | Othman, Zahiruddin |
| building | USM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Introduction: Internet has revolutionized the information age. However, excessive internet use has led to health issues among
users and the most commonly reported psychological problem is depression. Yet, there is dearth of research in this area among
college students in Malaysia.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the internet addiction (IA) and its association with depression and
anxiety among college students.
Methods: Students age 18-24 from allied health colleges who were doing attachment and posting in Hospital Tengku Ampuan
Rahimah, Klang were recruited into the study. IA was assessed using the internet addiction test (IAT), whilst depression and
anxiety by using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)
Results: IA was significantly associated with depression (p < 0.001) and male gender (p = 0.047). In addition, IA was also
associated with internet use characteristics such as using computer outside home (p = 0.008), using the internet for surfing (p =
0.016) and e-mailing (p = 0.025), and spending more time online during the weekends (p = 0.003). IA was not associated with
anxiety (p = 0.365).
Conclusions: Internet addiction is associated with depression and male gender among Malaysian college students. Further
study on psychological factors such as personality traits and coping styles is recommended in order to understand the underlying
mechanism in IA and propose possible interventions |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T17:56:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | usm-44353 |
| institution | Universiti Sains Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T17:56:45Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | usm-443532019-05-15T08:45:38Z http://eprints.usm.my/44353/ Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in Malaysia Othman, Zahiruddin Chung, Wah Lee RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry Introduction: Internet has revolutionized the information age. However, excessive internet use has led to health issues among users and the most commonly reported psychological problem is depression. Yet, there is dearth of research in this area among college students in Malaysia. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the internet addiction (IA) and its association with depression and anxiety among college students. Methods: Students age 18-24 from allied health colleges who were doing attachment and posting in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang were recruited into the study. IA was assessed using the internet addiction test (IAT), whilst depression and anxiety by using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) Results: IA was significantly associated with depression (p < 0.001) and male gender (p = 0.047). In addition, IA was also associated with internet use characteristics such as using computer outside home (p = 0.008), using the internet for surfing (p = 0.016) and e-mailing (p = 0.025), and spending more time online during the weekends (p = 0.003). IA was not associated with anxiety (p = 0.365). Conclusions: Internet addiction is associated with depression and male gender among Malaysian college students. Further study on psychological factors such as personality traits and coping styles is recommended in order to understand the underlying mechanism in IA and propose possible interventions Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation 2017-12 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.usm.my/44353/1/imj%2024%286%29%20447-27Othman.pdf Othman, Zahiruddin and Chung, Wah Lee (2017) Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in Malaysia. International Medical Journal, 24 (6). pp. 447-450. ISSN 1341-2051 http://www.seronjihou.co.jp/IMJ/backnumber-IMJ.html |
| spellingShingle | RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry Othman, Zahiruddin Chung, Wah Lee Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in Malaysia |
| title | Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in
Malaysia |
| title_full | Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in
Malaysia |
| title_fullStr | Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in
Malaysia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in
Malaysia |
| title_short | Internet Addiction and Depression among College Students in
Malaysia |
| title_sort | internet addiction and depression among college students in
malaysia |
| topic | RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry |
| url | http://eprints.usm.my/44353/ http://eprints.usm.my/44353/ http://eprints.usm.my/44353/1/imj%2024%286%29%20447-27Othman.pdf |