Psychophysiological features of students at different risk of internet-addictive behavior

Abstract

Internet addiction is a behavioral problem that is rapidly growing increasingly widespread, especially among higher education students. This study aimed to profile psychophysiological characteristics of students at different levels of risk of developing behavior-modifying internet addiction. We invited 261 students and established their levels of internet addiction using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale, then formed two groups: group 1 — students showing no signs of internet addiction; group 2 — students prone to internet addiction. Students' mental and social health and quality of life were assessed. Compared to the participants from group 1, group 2 students were found to exhibit 1.7 times more intense compulsive symptoms, 1.5-fold stronger withdrawal and tolerance symptoms, and had intrapersonal/health issues and time management problems that were 1.3 and 1.4-fold more grave, respectively; all these factors contributed to their predisposition to internet addiction. The risk of internet addiction in group 2 externalized as greater irritability (1.5-fold higher than in group 1), resentment (1.4-fold higher), feelings of guilt and hostility (1.3-fold more intense), verbal aggression (1.2-fold), stress (1.3-fold), anxiety and negative emotional experiences (1.2-fold), and 1.2 times lower quality of life in terms of its psychological component. The resulting data suggest the need for prevention measures designed to reduce the risk of internet addiction through management of negative emotional states in students with the help of socio-psychological inventory.