Original scientific paper
INTRAPERSONAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS FOR PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Roberto Truzoli
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Veronica Pirola
; Universita di Milano, Milan, Italy ; UniSR-Social.Lab, Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
Laura Celebre
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Eleonora Piccoli
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Simone Vanzetto
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Dario Conti
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Federica Fasciana
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Giovanni Casazza
; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" ,Universita di Milano ,Milan, Italy
Abstract
Background: During the lockdown due to COVID-19, Internet use may become more frequent in students, with possible negative
consequences on mental health. In this emergency situation, variables such as depression, anxiety and external locus of control could
be related to a Problematic Internet Use; on the other hand, self-esteem, internal locus of control, self-efficacy, and social support
can play the role of protective factors for Problematic Internet Use. The present survey aims to verify the impact of these
intrapersonal and social factors on Problematic Internet Use in college and High School students during the COVID-19 pandemic
through a web-based cross-sectional study.
Subjects and methods: 191 students from Lombardy, one of the Italian Regions among the most affected by the COVID-19
pandemic, were included in the study. An online questionnaire has been administered during the first Italian period of forced
lockdown. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess intrapersonal and social factors as predictors of Problematic
Internet Use.
Results: Analysis highlighted a higher risk of Problematic Internet Use (5.77 times more) in males compared to females.
Individuals with high external locus of control and severe depression have respectively 6.56 and 2.84 times more the risk of
presenting Problematic Internet Use. In contrast, social support, self-efficacy, and self-esteem were negatively related to
Problematic Internet Use. In total sample, the percentage of Problematic Internet Use was high (55.5%).
Conclusions: An increasing use of the Internet has been observed during lockdown, leading to a progressive increase in the
diffusion of Problematic Internet Use. Gender, depression and external locus of control emerge as risk factors for Problematic
Internet Use, while social support, self-efficacy and self-esteem represent protective factors. The current research identifies some
intrapersonal and social factors in an epidemic context for which the development of effective behavioural, supportive and/or
educational interventions would be appropriate.
Keywords
COVID-19; Internet; lockdown; Italy
Hrčak ID:
267268
URI
Publication date:
4.10.2021.
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