Internet Addiction and Comorbid Mental Health Problems among Adolescents in India

Over the past few decades, internet usage has exploded, and internet addiction has become a significant problem across the globe. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents (18-20 years) in India and to identify its association with comorbid mental health problems. A total of 240 participants were selected from rural and urban degree colleges of Ludhiana using random sampling for this cross-sectional study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, including Young's 20 items internet addiction test to assess the internet addiction and depression anxiety stress scale by Lovibond and Lovibond. The overall prevalence of internet addiction and comorbid mental health problems was 27.1% and 19.58%. In chi-square analyses, internet addiction was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, stress and comorbid mental health problems (p < 0.05). Our study unmasked a greater pervasiveness of internet addiction among adolescents and depicted its association with depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, measures should be taken to ascertain at-risk youngsters and invoke awareness concerning compulsive use of the internet and the risk of associated mental health problems. Adolescents should be educated to be smart users of technology to benefit from it constructively and productively.