J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2007 Sep;18(3):460-468.

The Effects of Internet Addiction on Mental Health Among Adolescents

• Byeon YS
• Lee HS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between adolescents' internet addiction and mental health.
METHODS
The Internet addiction level was measured with K-Scale developed for Korean adolescents by Korea Agency Digital Opportunity & Promotion (2006) and the mental health level was measured with SCL-90-R developed by Derogatis (1977) and adapted for Korean adolescents by Kim, Kim. & Won (1984). Collected data was analyzed by the mean+/-SD, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe and Pearson correlation coefficient (SPSS 12.0).
RESULTS
1. The Internet addiction level appeared to be 'Addiction' in 19%, 'Latency addiction' in 27% and 'Normal' in 54%. 2. The Internet addiction level was different according to sex, use, frequency and using time per day. The mental health level was different according to grade, sex, the father's education, the mother's education, frequency and using time per day. 3. The correlation between Internet addiction and mental health was found significant.
CONCLUSION
The Internet addiction level was confirmed to have an influence on mental health. We offered basis data for preventing and treating Internet addiction in adolescents.

Keyword

Internet; Mental Health

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Education
Humans
Internet*
Korea
Mental Health*