The Relationship between Internet Addiction and Depression among Back Office Personnel at Ramathibodi Hospital
Keywords:
Internet addiction, DepressionAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between internet addiction and depression. We also studied the epidemiology of the people who are addicted to the internet and working as back office personnel at Ramathibodi Hospital
Method: With the cross-sectional study, the data was gathered from 891 back officer personnel in various departments of Ramathibodi Hospital in 2011. The questionnaire consists of four parts i.e. demographic data, characteristic pattern of internet use, Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and screening test for depression CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale). Binary logistic Regression was used to assess the association between the internet addiction and depression.
Finding: Results showed that the people addicted to the internet mainly are young (aged between 18 - 30), single or separated, and with the internet use over 6 hours each time or 16 hours per week. The internet is used for chat and information search. It is also found that degree of addiction and gender are associated with the depression. The people who are addicted to the internet are prone to depression with a greater tendency in females.
Conclusion: Internet addiction is related to depression. Further studies are need to determine the causes and their consequences.
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