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Comparative Study

| Published: September 19, 2020

Relationship of loneliness with internet addiction in students from medical colleges of central India: An observational study

Dr. Vedant Murkey

Junior Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India Google Scholar More about the auther

, Dr. Bhakti Murkey

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Google Scholar More about the auther

, Dr. Mukund Murke

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Amravati, Maharashtra, India Google Scholar More about the auther

, Dr. Anirban Chakraborty

Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Amravati, Maharashtra, India Google Scholar More about the auther

DIP: 18.01.109/20200803

DOI: 10.25215/0803.109

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Internet addiction disorder has gained increasing recognition in the last two decades, especially in the young and adolescent population. With internet accessible easily on their fingertips through the means of mobile phones, the prevalence and severity of internet use has also expanded. However, depression and loneliness have been studied as perpetuating factors in the excessive use of internet. This study aims at assessing the relationship between loneliness and internet use amongst medical students in India. Methodology: A randomized sample of 454 medical students was evaluated for presence and severity of loneliness, depression as well as internet and mobile phone use, with the help of appropriate and validated assessment tools. The collected data was analyzed for any significant correlations. Results: Loneliness, depression and use of mobile phones and internet in both settings was found to be equivocal, irrespective of the socio-demographic background. Loneliness correlated significantly (p <0.05) and positively with the students’ age, relationship status, BDI score (depression) and IAT score (internet addiction). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a strong positive correlation between loneliness, relationship status, depression and the excessive use of mobile phones and internet, in medical students from both urban and rural areas.

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Dr. Bhakti Murkey @ doctor.bhaktii@gmail.com

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Article Overview

ISSN 2348-5396

ISSN 2349-3429

18.01.109/20200803

10.25215/0803.109

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Published in   Volume 08, Issue 3, July-September, 2020