INTERNET ADDICTION AND ITS IMPACTS: INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET ADDICTION AND DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS IN ADOLESCENTS AMONG MADINAH SCHOOLS
Keywords:
Internet addiction, Adolescents, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Saudi Arabia, Mental healthAbstract
Background: Internet use has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives; however, excessive and uncontrolled engagement may predispose vulnerable youth to psychological distress. Limited evidence exists regarding the burden of internet addiction and its emotional consequences among school-aged adolescents in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of internet addiction and examine its association with depression, anxiety, and stress in this population.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 248 adolescents enrolled in private and public schools in Madinah between September and December 2024. Internet addiction was evaluated using Young’s Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), and mental health symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics were reported, gender differences were examined using Pearson’s chi-square test, and age-adjusted associations were analyzed using partial Spearman correlation coefficients.
Results: More than half of participants (54%) reported at least occasional problems related to internet use, and 4% experienced severe functional impairment. Severe or extremely severe symptoms were reported by 22.6% for depression, 38.3% for anxiety, and 19.4% for stress. Females demonstrated significantly higher stress levels compared to males (p = 0.016) and higher, though non-significant, depression and anxiety levels. Age-adjusted analysis showed that higher YIAS scores were significantly correlated with greater depression (ρ = 0.414, p < 0.001), anxiety (ρ = 0.350, p < 0.001), and stress (ρ = 0.449, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Problematic internet use is common among adolescents in Madinah and is strongly associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among girls. These findings underline the need for school- and community-based screening,
preventive awareness programs, and early psychological interventions to promote balanced technology use and safeguard adolescent mental well-being
