Investigation the relationship between internet dependence with anxiety and educational performance of high school students (2019)

J Educ Health Promot. 2019 Nov 29;8:213. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_84_19. eCollection 2019.

Kheyri F1, Azizifar A2, Valizadeh R3, Veisani Y4, Aibod S5, Cheraghi F5, Mohamadian F5.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Internet is one of the most advanced modern communication technologies. Despite the positive uses of internet, the existence of extreme behaviors and its harmful consequences has attracted the attention of all. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between internet addiction with anxiety and educational performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This research is a descriptive correlative study. The statistical population of the study includes a total number of 4401 female students in the high school in the city of Ilam-Iran in the academic year of 2017-2018. The sample size includes353 students estimated using Cochran’s formula. They were selected by random cluster sampling. For data collection, the Young’s Internet Dependency Questionnaire, Academic Performance Inventory, and Marc et al., anxiety Scale were used. Data were analyzed at the significant level of α = 0.05.

RESULTS:

The results showed a positive and significant correlation between internet dependency and students’ anxiety (P < 0.01). There is also a negative and significant correlation between internet dependency and academic performance of students (P < 0.01), and also a negative and significant correlation between anxiety and educational performance of students (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

On the one hand, the results indicate a high prevalence of internet dependency and its significant relationship with anxiety and academic performance in students, and on the other hand, the negative effect of internet dependency on the students’ educational performance. Therefore, it is necessary to design some intervention programs to prevent harm to students who are increasingly interacting with internet. In addition, raising the level of the students’ awareness on the complications of internet addiction and the proper use of the internet seems to be necessary.

KEYWORDS: Anxiety; educational performance; internet addiction; students

PMID: 31867377

PMCID: PMC6905285

DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_84_19