Demographic and Psychosocial Factors associated with Internet Addiction among the Pakistani Population during COVID-19: A Web-Based Survey.

This study aims to determine the burden of COVID19-induced internet addiction and related psychosocial factors among the Pakistani sample. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2021. An analytical cross-sectional survey was broadcast on the internet via a Google form...

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Published in:Inquiry (00469580) pp. 1 - 14
Main Authors: Lakhdir, Maryam Pyar Ali, Hameed, Ayesha Nasir, Hasnani, Fauzia Basaria, Angez, Meher, Nawaz, Muhammad Talha, Khan, Malik Muhammad Hamza, Peerwani, Ghazal, Nathwani, Apsara Ali, Azam, Syed Iqbal
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. 11/30/2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: 11/30/2022
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        atl: Demographic and Psychosocial Factors associated with Internet Addiction among the Pakistani Population during COVID-19: A Web-Based Survey.
      aug:
        au:
          Lakhdir, Maryam Pyar Ali
          Hameed, Ayesha Nasir
          Hasnani, Fauzia Basaria
          Angez, Meher
          Nawaz, Muhammad Talha
          Khan, Malik Muhammad Hamza
          Peerwani, Ghazal
          Nathwani, Apsara Ali
          Azam, Syed Iqbal
        affil: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
      sug:
        subj:
          Internet Addiction Psychosocial Factors
          Sociodemographic Factors
          COVID-19 Pandemic
          Pakistanis
          Human
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Questionnaires
          Surveys
          Pakistan
          Depression
          Anxiety
          Stress, Psychological
          Odds Ratio
          Confidence Intervals
          Scales
          Multiple Logistic Regression
          Male
          Female
          Severity of Illness
          Sex Factors
          Marital Status
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Family History
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Affect
          Gambling
          Marketing
          Shopping
          Online Social Networking
          Recreation
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: This study aims to determine the burden of COVID19-induced internet addiction and related psychosocial factors among the Pakistani sample. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2021. An analytical cross-sectional survey was broadcast on the internet via a Google form completed by 1145 Pakistanis. Individuals aged 13 years and above with competency to comprehend English or Urdu language, currently residing in any province of Pakistan, having access to the questionnaire, and willing to participate were eligible to participate. Overseas Pakistanis were excluded from the study. The outcome is COVID19-induced internet addiction was measured using the validated tool Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT). In addition, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and other psychosocial factors were assessed using the validated tool Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were reported using multinomial logistic regression. Most participants were females and youth (between 20 and 24 years). The prevalence of problematic internet users (PIU) and addictive internet users (AIU) was 27.3% and 11.3%, respectively. The odds of extremely severe anxiety among AIU were approximately three times (Adj OR: 2.6 (1.1-7.1), followed by the odds of having extremely severe stress being about five times higher among AIU (Adj OR: 5.4 (1.6-17.6)) as compared to normal internet users (NIU). Amid COVID-19, the burden of internet addiction has surged among the Pakistani populace. This study identified that gender, marital status, depression, stress, anxiety, work situation, and mood changes during the COVID-19 pandemic are significantly correlated with problematic and addictive internet use. Preventative measures against the addictive use of the internet are needed to avoid or mitigate any serious mental health problems.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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