Investigating the Frequency of Depression and Anxiety and their Association with Cyberspace Use among Medical Students
International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences,
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2024),
19 Shahrivar 2024
,
Page 10-18
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v11i3.45405
Abstract
Background and Aim:Rapid technological advances have led to increased use of cyberspace among medical students. Despite the benefits, there are concerns about the unwanted effects of excessive use of cyberspace on mental health. Depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental health disorders worldwide, have been of particular interest in this context. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of depression and anxiety among medical students and explore its association with Cyberspace use.
Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 355 medical students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through the following instruments: Demographic Information Questionnaire, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Data analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS software version 26. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (Spearman’s correlation coefficient) were employed.
Results:The results revealed that 27.3% of participants exhibited severe depression, 13% displayed severe anxiety, and 10.7% manifested symptoms of internet addiction. There was a positive association among depression, anxiety, and internet addiction (P<0.0001). Additionally, an inverse notable disparity between internet addiction and educational level was discovered (P<0.05). Also, a significant correlation was shown between depression, anxiety, internet addiction, and marital status (P<0.05).
Conclusion:The study indicated a notable correlation between cyberspace usage and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in medical students. Additional research is necessary to develop productive interventions that target the potential negative impacts of cyberspace usage on the mental well-being of medical students, consequently advancing the community healthcare system.
- Anxiety; Cyberspace; Depression; Internet Addiction; Medical Students
How to Cite
References
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