Factors Influencing Internet Addiction among Adolescents in an Area

일부 지역 청소년의 인터넷 중독에 영향을 미치는 요인

  • Shin, Seung-Bae (Korean Institute on HIV/AIDS Prevention(KIHP), Sahmyook University) ;
  • Lee, Ju-Yul (Department of Health Administration, Namseoul University) ;
  • Kim, Seok-Hwan (Department of Healthcare Management, Korea University)
  • 신승배 (삼육대학교 에이즈예방연구소) ;
  • 이주열 (남서울대학교 보건행정학과) ;
  • 김석환 (고려대학교 대학원 보건과학과)
  • Received : 2011.03.20
  • Accepted : 2011.06.13
  • Published : 2011.06.30

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the fators affecting Internet addiction among adolescents in an area. Methods: By using cluster sampling, 2,479 participants representing 22 elementary school, 11 middle school, 7 high school students in a county of the Chungcheongnam-do. Data was analyzed by SPSS 12.0. using t-test, F-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: Internet addiction positively correlated with high school students(dummy variable), Internet-connected computers in PC Game Room(dummy variable), Internet using time(weekday) and Internet using time(weekend). Internet addiction negatively correlated with Internet-connected computers in school(dummy variable), Internet-connected computers in friend's house(dummy variable). For the male students, Significant factors affecting Internet addiction were eating habits, Internet-connected computers in friend's house, Internet using time(weekend). For the female students, Internet using time(weekday) and Internet using time(weekend) were significant. For the elementary school students, Significant factors affecting Internet addiction were Internet using tine(weekday) and Internet using time(weekend). In the case of the middle school students, Internet using tine(weekday), Internet using time(weekend) and eating habits were significant. but, the high school students, Internet using time(weekend) was significant. Conclusions: Students who spend more time in the internet have higher tendency to become addicted to the internet. Therefore, it would be necessary to develop program to prevent internet addiction.

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