European Journal of Education Studies
ISSN: 2501 - 1111
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1111
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
10.5281/zenodo.61349
Volume 2│Issue 4│2016
INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF
UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
Elona Hasmujaji
Department of Psychology and Social Work, Faculty of Educational Sciences,
University of Shkodra, Albania
Abstract:
There is no question that 21st-century youth has become far more dependent upon
connectivity for studying, playing, communicating, and socializing (Wallace, 2014).
Scientific studies have found that excessive use of internet is related to a variety of
negative psychosocial consequences. Internet addiction is a kind of consumer behavior
that has attracted the attention of many studies.
This study was conducted to see not only the prevalence of Internet addiction in male
and female students, but also to see the relationship between internet addiction and
level of anxiety.
The study sample consists of 256 subjects of Faculty of Social Sciences, in University of
Tirana, Albania, where 142 subjects are female and 114 others are male. Internet
Addiction Test (IAT) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used as instruments for
data collection. From the data analysis results to have not a significant relationship
between the level of Internet addiction and the level of anxiety in university students,
but we can see gender differences with regard to this aspect.
Keywords: internet addiction, anxiety, students, quantitative research, University of
Tirana
Introduction
The Internet is a widely recognized channel for information exchange, academic
research, entertainment, communication and commerce (Widyanto, Griffiths &
i
Correspondence: hasmujaj.elona@gmail.com
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved
Published by Open Access Publishing Group ©2015.
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
Brunsden 2011). This technology is changing the way people are socializing, studying,
working, shopping, searching for jobs and spending their leisure time (DiNicola, 2004).
The internet has become an integral part of our society. About 40% of the world
population today is regular internet users. Statistical data from 2013, shows that about
62.7% of Albania's population are Internet users, 35.4% are users of Facebook and 75.8%
discharge of various internet programs (Europe Internet Stats, 2013)1. Today, these
figures should certainly be much higher.
Although the positive aspects of the Internet have been readily praised, there is a
growing amount of literature on the negative side of its excessive and pathological use
(Beard, 2005; Frangos & Frangos, 2009).
The new generation is among the first groups to use the Internet with a high
degree of danger to the different psychosocial problems (DiNicola, 2004). Today,
worldwide, more than 80% of young people have access to the Internet and spend a
great deal of time in online activities.
Because of access added and increase the number of users, researchers have
concluded that the use of internet can bring negative consequences on the psychological
welfare of users (Vallerand et al, 2003). Griffiths (2000) argued that the use of social
networks could lead to a new form of addiction.
Excessive use of the Internet is known nowadays as a new syndrome observed
even among the psychological researches, giving them a new spirit (Yellowlees &
Marks, 2007). The authors point out that excessive use of the internet and pathological
results in the individual isolation from friends and family can lead to behavioral or
personal disorders.
One of the worst effects of internet addiction is anxiety, stress and depression.
Increase in using internet makes some problems that one of them is internet anxiety
(Nima & Nazarin, 2012). There exists a positive and significant correlation between the
level of anxiety and internet addiction (Nima & Nazarin, 2012).
The present research is also aimed at investigation of relationship between
internet addiction and anxiety level among students and the gender based differences
of internet addiction in university students of Tirana.
Literature Review
In the scientific literature, are proposed several terms to describe the pathological use of
the internet: internet use disorder, Internet addiction, problematic internet use, pathologic
internet use, cyber dependence, online addiction and other (Widyanto and McMurran,
2004; Byun et al, 2009).
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
Problematic Internet use (PIU), or Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), are the two
most commonly used terminologies and are characterized by a lack of control over the
concern, encouragement, or problems related to anxiety as a result of its use. Because of
the increased level of Internet use during the last 15 years, IAD has attracted the
attention of researchers and clinicians in the field. Young (1999) and Griffiths (2000)
were the first who defined the concept of IAD and realized further research about the
problematic use of internet.
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) was originally proposed in 2013, for inclusion
in DSM-5 (Block, 2008) but it is not recognized yet as a disorder by itself, since Block
observed that diagnosis was complicated, because 86% of study subjects showing
symptoms of Internet addiction, also exhibited other diagnosable mental health
disorders. Internet gaming addiction is the only behavioral addiction (non-substance
related) involved in DSM-5. Internet Gaming Disorder is identified in Section III as a
condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be
considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder.
“ddictive internet use is defined as an impulse control disorder that does not
involve an intoxicant
and is akin to pathological gambling Young,
. Young
further categorized five specific types of internet addiction: (1) cyber sexual addiction to
adult chat rooms or cyber porn; (2) cyber relationship addiction to online friendships or
affairs that replace real-life situations; (3) net compulsions to online gambling, auctions,
or obsessive trading; (4) information overload to compulsive web surfing or databases
searches; and (5) computer addiction to game playing or programming (Young, 1998).
Like other addictions, furthermore, internet addiction has been linked to a variety of
problems. Besides little sleep, failure to eat for long periods and limited physical
activity, it also disrupts the studies and other aspects of the daily life of an individual
(Cao & Su & Gao, 2006).
Different researches (Yellowlees and Marks, 2007; Kim et al, 2006; Amiel &
Sargent, 2004; Nie & Erbring, 2008) have indicated that some of the addiction symptoms
of internet include excessive connection to the Internet; involuntary and fastidious use
of the internet; difficulty in time management using the internet; and feeling of a dreary
world outside the internet. All of which result in a reduction in social communications
and an increase in loneliness and depression. Ko et al (2008) stated that Internet
addiction relates to psychological variables such as shyness, loneliness, anxiety,
depression, and interpersonal relations. Increase in the use internet makes some
problems and one of them is internet anxiety.
Research from Bari and Edelmann in a sample of 169 college students has shown
that people who suffer from social anxiety, it is easier to communicate through the
Internet rather than in direct interaction and according to them one of the reasons is the
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
possibility of maintaining anonymity. Results of this study also showed that social
anxiety, lack of confidence in itself and depression may be related to the amount of
internet usage (Shepherd & Edelmann, 2005). A study by Rice and Markey in a sample
of 80 female subjects with an average age of 18.8 years showed that some people feel
less anxious and communicate through the Internet instead of direct communication;
this due to personality traits such as Introversion and neuropsychotic factors (Rice &
Markey, 2008).
Anxiety disorder was found in several studies of adult problematic Internet
users. In a study done on 332 students at schools in California regarding the
relationship between impulsiveness, personality traits and addiction by Merkerk,
Ajenden and Franken (2010) showed that internet addiction can be one of the predictors
of impulsivity and anxiety. The results of the study have showed that there is a
significant relationship between the internet addiction and mental health.
There exists a positive and significant correlation between the level of anxiety
and internet addiction (Nima, 2012). Problematic internet usage may lead to avoidance
to face the social interactions and worsen social fears (Lee & Stapinski, 2012). There is
also found a significant relationship between anxiety and depression in childhood with
internet addiction in adolescent. Clinicians should consider anxiety during childhood to
prevent internet addiction (Cho & Shin, 2013). Thus, the study shows that anxiety
significantly predicts internet addiction.
Another factor is that of gender difference. The preponderance of internet
addiction in male students is more than female students (Jalalinejad, 2012).
Objectives of the Study
1. To determine the relationship between Internet addiction and anxiety level in
university students of Social Sciences Faculty of Tirana.
2. To determine the prevalence of Internet addiction in university students of Social
Sciences Faculty of Tirana.
3. To see the gender difference in the level of internet addiction among university
students.
Research Questions:
1. How far students are addicted to internet?
2. Is the rate of Internet addiction different for male and female students?
3. What is the relationship between internet addiction and anxiety level among students?
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
Methodology
Design
This study used a cross-sectional design, as the main tool of quantitative methodology,
where data are collected on the whole study population at a single point in time. That
relies heavily on statistical techniques and mathematical numerical data, in order to
answer the questions about various social problems.
The Sample
The population of this study includes students from Faculty of Social Sciences in Tirana.
It was created a probabilistic sample of 256 subjects (where 142 are women and 114
men). The representation of the population object of the study was conducted through
random selection.
Assessment Tools
Internet Addiction Test (IAT)
IAT is created by Dr. Kimberly Young. This questionnaire consists of 20 questions,
which measure the low, moderate or higher level of dependence on the Internet. The
Cronbach s alpha reliability coefficient is 0.90. This questionnaire is scored on a 5-point
scale ranging from 1 to 5. The marking for this questionnaire ranges from 20-100, the
higher the marks are the greater dependence on the Internet is.
Beck Anxiety Inventory
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a questionnaire of twenty-one items implied to
measure anxiety among participants. Each question has a set of four possible answers.
These are; not at all (0), mildly (1), moderately (2), severely (3). The BAI has a maximum
score of 63, from low to high anxiety. The Cronbach s alpha reliability coefficient is 0.87.
Data was analyzed through Microsoft Excel program.
Research Findings
a) Interpretation of the data concerning the use of the Internet for the whole sample
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Addicted
Abusive
Normal use
Overall sample
Figure 1: Level of internet use for the whole sample
In a total sample of 256 subjects (142 females and 114 males), we can see that 128
subjects display normal Internet use, 114 subjects are internet abusers and 14 others are
internet addicted.
200
150
100
50
0
Low level
Moderate
level
High level
Overall sample
Figure 2: Level of addiction for the whole sample
Most of the subjects (48%) appear to be normal Internet users. This is followed by a high
percentage and not a very big difference in the first (43%) who are abusive to the
Internet and a small percentage (9%) that display Internet addiction.
b) The comparison of Internet use for both genders
The following graph translates these numbers into percentages.
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
90
80
70
60
50
40
Male
30
Female
20
10
0
Addicted Abusive Normal
users
Figure 3: The comparison of Internet use for both genders
Differences between women and men are visible. Women have a much higher
percentage as normal Internet users, than men. Internet abusers results 49% male and
38% female. 8% of men and 6% of women are addicted to the internet.
c) Interpretation for the whole sample
Overall population
80%
70%
60%
50%
Normal users
40%
Abusers
30%
Addicted
20%
10%
0%
Low Anxiety
Moderate Anxiety
High Anxiety
Figure 4: The presentation in percentage of Internet connection between addiction and level of
anxiety
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
80%
70%
60%
50%
Normal users
40%
Abusers
30%
Addicted
20%
10%
0%
Low Anxiety
Moderate Anxiety
High Anxiety
Figure 5: The percentage of connection between Internet addiction and level of anxiety
To this last graph, we can clearly see if there is a relationship between Internet
addiction and level of anxiety. To answer the question whether or not a relationship, it
is seen for all sample rates.
76% of subjects who are normal Internet users, resulting in low levels of anxiety
and 24% of them exhibit a moderate level of anxiety. There are no normal Internet users
with a high level of anxiety. Here it can be assumed for a positive relationship because
it turns out that normal users have a low level of anxiety.
23% of subjects who are abusers to the Internet, resulting in low levels of anxiety,
21% of them exhibit a moderate level of anxiety and 55% a higher level of anxiety. From
these percentages, it can be understood that there is a relationship between high levels
of anxiety and abusive internet use.
25% of internet addicted exhibit a lower level of anxiety, 25% of them still show a
moderate level of anxiety and 50% of them a high level of anxiety. Here clearly can be
seen and can be understood if these two variables have a positive relationship or not.
Although these subjects who report height level of addiction, show no difference in
figures between low and moderate levels of anxiety.
Discussion
A study conducted among university level students by Waseem et al 2014 showed 30%
of students are internet addicts which is considerably higher result then what we got in
study averaging of only about 9%.
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
The findings of this study showed that the rate of severe addiction is greater in
female students than in male students. These results are in the same line with Ali et al
2012 and Zeynep et al 2012, who showed that females more than males had signs of
internet addiction, but it may be due to higher no of man participating in the study.
These findings are inconsistent with those of Hill and Argyle, and Yang and
Tung soft swimming with that of Hamburger and Artzi or Davoodabadi (Hills &
Argyle, 2003; Yang & Tung, 2004; Hamburger & Artzi, 2000; Davoodabadi, 2006), which
show that males are considerably more prone to internet addiction.
In reply to the third question, it can be said that anxiety doesn t play a significant
role in the affliction with internet addiction. The findings of the present study are
contradictory with the previous researches (Shepherd & Edelmann, 2005, Rice &
Markey, 2008). In determining the relationship between anxiety with Internet addiction,
they stated that the high anxiety may have existed before the Internet use, that is, the
anxious individuals may use Internet as an escaping way. Similarly, anxiety may occur
due to addiction to the Internet, that is, when the individual becomes addicted to the
Internet, s/he becomes restless, worried and anxious, and uses Internet to reduce her/his
anxiety and stress (Mirazaeian et al, 2011). In this regard, Nastizaei (2010) writes: the
users addicted to the Internet have considerable anxiety and apprehension. These
individuals may therefore use the Internet as an escaping way, that is, when a person
does not have access to the Internet, s/he becomes anxious and to reduce his/her
anxiety, s/he precedes Internet.
However, several limitations of the study should be noted, to provide direction
for future research. First, the sample of the study consisted of university students and
may not be representative of the general adult population in terms of the frequency of
internet addiction or the prevalence of anxiety, because generalization of the results is
somewhat limited. Second, no definitive statements can be made about causality. Third,
although there is growing recognition of internet addiction among clinicians, it is still
unrecognized as a psychiatric disorder and there are controversial issues concerning
assessment and diagnosis.
Conclusion
If we make a comparison between the two genders, we can see that men exhibit a
greater tendency to be abusive than women, but women have resulted in a higher
tendency to be addicted to the Internet, although this on a small margin (1%). Overall, it
can be said that male subjects tend to be problematic internet users more than female
subjects.
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Elona Hasmujaj INTERNET ADDICTION AND ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA
Nearly half of the whole sample results as normal users, but there is no very
large margin (5%) of the subjects that results abusive. This means that entities generally
have a considerable tendency to be abusive of the Internet. However, the level of
internet addiction in general results lower (9%).
Despite that, one cannot speak of a positive relationship between addiction and
anxiety to entities of the genre, because proportion to the low level of anxiety is 50%.
Most of the subjects that are normal internet users (85%) report low levels of anxiety
and only a small fraction of them exhibit a moderate level of anxiety. There is no normal
internet user with a high level of anxiety.
Also, most of the subjects that are abusers to the Internet, resulting in low levels
of anxiety, but also a large part of them reports moderate level of anxiety. A very small
fraction of the sample displays a high level of anxiety.
Subjects addicted to the internet show no difference between the low and
moderate level of anxiety. Also, only a small percentage compared to the first two,
reports high level of anxiety.
-
There is no significant relationship between the level of internet addiction and the
level of anxiety.
-
Female students are suffering from internet addiction more than male students, but
male show higher level of abusive internet use.
-
In the whole sample most of the subjects appear to be normal Internet users. A small
percentage of the sample display Internet addiction.
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