Author(s): Vidyachathoth, Bhagyalakshmi Kodavanji, Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Sheila Ramesh Pai
Background: In the postmodern era, the online environment has become a significant arena for everyday living. Internet itself is a harmless tool but incorrect usage of net might consequently result in disruptions in mental health and social relationships.
Objective: The present study aims to assess the correlation between affect and internet addiction in undergraduate medical students using the Young’s Internet Addiction Test and affects scores, using the PANAS scale.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 subjects (18-20 years of age) selected by random sampling from the first year undergraduate medical student population.Correlation between the internet addiction test scores and the positive/negative affect scores was calculated using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: A significantly positive correlation was found between the internet addiction test scores and the negative affect scores. A positive correlation was also found between the daily duration of internet use and negative affect scores.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a strong correlation between negative affect and internet addiction, highlighting the role of affect in behavioral addictions. This correlation can be made as a useful tool in screening adolescents for internet addiction.
