Identifying internet addiction among nursing students at the University of Palermo: a study utilizing the internet addiction test

Abstract

The implementa􀆟on of technology and the internet has brought many benefits, but excessive and uncontrolled use of the internet has raised concerns about the emergence of addic􀆟ve behaviors. The aim of the study was to iden􀆟fy internet addic􀆟on among nursing students at the University of Palermo through the use of the Internet Addic􀆟on Test (IAT). Materials and methods. The study was carried out in April 2024. Its design is cross-sec􀆟onal. The study popula􀆟on is made up of first, second and third year nursing students at the University of Palermo (Italy) and Supplementary year students. The IAT was administered. An ordered logis􀆟c regression was performed, with dependent variable “internet addic􀆟on”, in order to evaluate the role of the variables of the ques􀆟onnaire. Results. 801 individuals filled out the ques􀆟onnaire. 9.74% of the sample are “Above average users/Internet use is very intense”. The ordered logis􀆟c regression shows the sta􀆟s􀆟cally significant covariates associated with the IAT: increasing age (aOR = 0.92), male gender (aOR = 2.59), not living with one’s family (aOR = 2.86), being single (aOR = 1.96), perceived health status medium (aOR = 2.19) and low (aOR = 13.35), having had sleep disturbances in the last two weeks (aOR = 2.77). Conclusions. Due to the increase in informa􀆟on technology availability, more and more individuals have a risky use of the internet which could lead to addic􀆟on. Informa􀆟on and training campaigns on the use of the internet and informa􀆟on technologies should be implemented among the general popula􀆟on to increase knowledge of the phenomenon.