Investigation of internet dependent and depressive symptoms among secondary school students

Abstract

Introduction

Internet use and depression is a significant problem regardless of social status and in almost all age groups. Internet addiction in adolescents is considered to be the most important risk groups.

Objectives

This study was conducted to determine correlation of Internet addiction and depressive symptoms among secondary school students.

Method

This research was conducted at two secondary public schools in İstanbul during 2015-2016 academic year. Ethics committee approval and permission was obtained from the Directorate of National Education Institutions. The population of the study was 2121 students. The sample group was 1312 students who completely filled in measuring instruments. The measuring instruments consisted of a personal information form, Internet Dependency Scale (IDS) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The data were analyzed with the descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson correlation test.

Results

The average of students’ age was 12.44 ± 1.20. 50.2% of the sample were women. 53.8% of the sample spent 1–2 hours per day in Internet. Mean IDS point was 38.942 ± 12.90 and mean CDI point was 12.52 ± 7.13. According to the IDS cutpoint; 80.9% of students were normal users, 18,4% of them were high-risk users and 0.6% of them were Internet dependents. According to the CDI cutpoint, 16.8% of the students had depressive symptoms. A statistically significant moderate correlation was found between mean scores of CDI and IDS (r = 0.414; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

There is a relation between Internet dependent and depressive symptoms. This finding supports the outcomes of previously performed studies.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.