J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2000 Feb;21(2):203-210.

The propensity to depression in Korean internet users

• Park JH
• Kong EH
• Cha HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The goals of this study are to evaluate the propensity to depression in Korean internet users associated with internet using environment and attempt to aid proper management of internet users in the field of family practice.
METHODS
A group of 1,674 subjects who replied to internet research were selected from March 26 to 28, 1999. Making use of CES-D-K for Korean internet users, we investigated the propensity to depression. At the same time, general characteristics, internet using environmental characteristics were investigated and their relationship was assssed.
RESULTS
The CES-D-K score was 16.19. The CES-D-K score was significantly higher in females, in younger age and low education level group(P<0.001). There was no significance between CES-D-K score and region. In internet using environmental characteristics, the CES-D-K score was significantly higher in low velocity users, long internet using time per day group (P<0.001). There was no significance between CES-D-K score and internet using year.
CONCLUSION
There was a significant correlation between internet using velocity, internet using time per day and the propensity to depression. Therefore, family physician should think about the correlation of the propensity to depression and internet using environment, if internet users have symptoms of depression.

Keyword

internet; depression; CES-D-K

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Education
Family Practice
Female
Humans
Internet*
Physicians, Family