RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM AND DEPRESSION AND INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

                Objective: This descriptive correlational research design aimed at investigating relationships between self-esteem and depression and internet addiction among secondary school students.

                Methods: The participants were 400 secondary school students of the 2019 academic year in the northeastern region. The research instruments included a socio-demographic and internet using questionnaire, Thai version of Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Rosenberg’s Self - esteem Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank - order correlation.

                Results: The findings revealed that self - esteem was negatively and significantly associated with internet addiction (r  = -.36, p < .001), while depression was positively and significantly associated with internet addiction (r = .42, p < .001).

                Conclusion: Results from this study provided important information for the internet addiction prevention among secondary school students.