Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Tutor, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Himachal Institute of Nursing, Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Indian J Public Health. 2019 Oct-Dec;63(4):313-317. doi: 10.4103/ijph.IJPH_330_18.
The internet and smartphones have a strong potential for addiction. Excessive use of these technologies can have adverse effects on psychological well-being of the users.
The objective of the study is to find out the effects of internet addiction (IA) and smartphone addiction (SA) on psychological outcomes of dental students in an Indian institute.
In this cross-sectional study, 320 dental students were assessed for their internet and smartphone habits using the Young's IA test (YIAT) and the SA scale (SAS), respectively. Psychological outcomes were evaluated using the insomnia severity index, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
The median YIAT score was 35 and interquartile range (IQR) of 24-49 with 23% subjects reporting potential IA. The median SAS score was 108 (IQR 91.25-128). Both IA and SA were significantly associated with participants' year of the study. Significant correlations were observed between IA and SA with psychological parameters.
The association of IA and SA with psychological parameters shows how these habits can affect the users' mental well-being. Public especially young adults should be made aware about potential harmful effects of the internet and smartphones.
互联网和智能手机具有很强的成瘾潜力。过度使用这些技术会对用户的心理健康产生不良影响。
本研究旨在探讨印度某学院牙科学生的网络成瘾（IA）和智能手机成瘾（SA）对心理结果的影响。
在这项横断面研究中，使用 Young 的 IA 测试（YIAT）和智能手机成瘾量表（SAS）分别评估了 320 名牙科学生的互联网和智能手机使用习惯。使用失眠严重指数、抑郁、焦虑和压力量表以及罗森伯格自尊量表评估心理结果。
YIAT 的中位数评分为 35，四分位距（IQR）为 24-49，23%的受试者报告存在潜在的 IA。SAS 的中位数评分为 108（IQR 91.25-128）。IA 和 SA 均与参与者的学习年限显著相关。IA 和 SA 与心理参数之间存在显著相关性。
IA 和 SA 与心理参数的关联表明这些习惯如何影响用户的心理健康。应使公众，尤其是年轻人意识到互联网和智能手机的潜在有害影响。
