Psychosocial risk factors for internet addiction among Indonesian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with internet addiction (IA) among medical students in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Medical students from three faculties of medicine (one private university and two public universities) in Jakarta, Indonesia were recruited between January and December 2021 to complete an online questionnaire via Google Forms. Participants' sociodemographic data and patterns of internet use were collected. They subsequently completed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire for IA, the Indonesian version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 for emotional problems, and the Indonesian version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale for self-esteem.

RESULTS

In total, 400 male and 746 female participants completed the survey. Of the participants, 287 (25.0%) had IA. IA was associated with pre-clinical stage of training (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.469, p = 0.042), age at first internet use of ≤8 years (AOR = 1.625, p = 0.010), weekend internet use duration of >11 hours per day (AOR = 1.569, p = 0.025), internet use for social media / online gaming / entertainment (AOR = 2.207, p < 0.001), presence of emotional problems (AOR = 2.503, p < 0.001), and low self-esteem (AOR = 1.880, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, IA is prevalent among Indonesian medical students, particularly among those with emotional problems and low self-esteem. Routine screening for emotional problems and IA, peer support programmes, and access to psychosocial support services are essential for their well-being.