Factors Influencing Internet Addiction in College Students

Kim, Sunmi; Lee, Youn Hee; Lee, Gowoon; Lee, Sang Won; Jo, Jahyun; Sim, Soryung; Son, Hyeon Seok

Korean J Health Promot > Volume 11(4); 2011 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Health Promotion 2011;11(4):206-216.

Factors Influencing Internet Addiction in College Students

Sunmi Kim, Youn Hee Hee Lee, Gowoon Lee, Sang Won Won Lee, Jahyun Jo, Soryung Sim, Hyeon Seok Seok Son

¹Department of Health Science & Services, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. healthsnu202@gmail.com
²Department of Family Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
³Department of Family Medicine, Incheon Sarang Hospital, Incheon, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to internet addiction in college students in Korea. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of college students in Seoul, and data was collected through self-report questionnaires. Data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis rank test, and ordinary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the ordinary logistic regression analysis, the factors related to a higher risk of internet addiction were lower frequency of exercise (P=0.017), lower level of self-control (P<0.001), higher level of stress (P<0.001), living with parents (P=0.011), using the internet for extended periods of time (P<0.001), and using the internet in their own rooms (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exercise, self-control, stress, living with parents, and duration and place of internet use are associated with internet addiction in college students. This information can be used to design methods for preventing internet addiction. More specific studies on internet addiction in college students are needed.

Key Words: Internet, Addictive behavior, Computers