THE INFLUENCE OF INTERNET ADDICTION ON GENERAL HEALTH AND COPING STRESS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Aim: Internet addiction is referred to as a form of technology addiction (such as computer addiction) and sub category of behavioural addictions (such as obsessive gambling addiction). (Griffiths, 1999).  Stress is defined as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”. (Hans Salye, 1936). Coping with stress is the process by which a person consciously attempts to master, minimize, or tolerate stressors and problems in life. Health is defined as a condition of complete bodily, mental, and social health, not only the absence of disease or disability. (WHO, 1948). The study aimed to investigate the influence of internet addiction on general health and coping stress among young adults. Methods: The study was conducted on 120 participants between the ages of 18 to 25, out of which 60 were females and 60 were males, through purposive sampling techniques. A social demographic questionnaire, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Young, 1998), Brief Cope Scale (Carver, 1982) and General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg, 1972) were used to gather information. Data were analyzed by using one way ANOVA, mean, standard deviation and Pearson product moment correlation. Result: The results shows that there is a significant difference in the level of internet addiction and coping stress among young adults across their gender. there is no significant difference in the level of general health among young adults across their gender. There is no significant relationship between internet addiction and coping stress. There is no significant relationship between internet addiction and general heath. And there is no significant relationship between general health and coping stress.