Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 9, Issue 7, 144-149Original Article

 

THE RELATION BETWEEN INTERNET, DEPRESSION, SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL ATTACHMENT ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF HEALTH CARE INDIVIDUALS

VIKHRAM RAMASUBRAMANIAN1, RAJESH VENKATARAMAN2* , P. RAJA SOUNDARA PANDIAN1, GOPAL TELI2, NIRAJ SHRESTHA2

1Ahana Hospital, Madurai, 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Sri Adichunchanagiri College of Pharmacy, B. G. Nagara 571448, Karnataka, India

Email: rajeshvenky_research@hotmail.com

Received:13 Apr 2017 Revised and Accepted: 27 May 2017

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the internet use in health care individuals and its impact on depression, self-esteem and social attachment on cognitive function of health care individuals.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey which included one hundred and ten healthcare individuals (Physician, Pharmacist, Psychologist, Social worker and Nurses) in this study conducted in Radianz healthcare and research private limited. Young’s internet addiction test and depression score, self-esteem (Rosenberg’s) score and MoCA were used to measure internet addiction and psychological variables. EPI 2012 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Out of 110 individuals, the majority of individuals, depressed individual were more addicted to the internet and found to be significant by using depression score. Relationship between baseline values and follow up values in internet addiction was significant (P=0.07636). After follow up the internet addiction found to be reduced as it was greatly affected in initial survey.

Conclusion: This study concluded that there is relationship between the internet addiction and depression, cognitive function and self-steam. The depressed individuals were more addicted to the internet followed by abnormal cognitive function and low self-esteem individuals. Internet addiction may be a relevant clinical construct and early diagnostic tools that needs extensive research even in developing nations to explore the relationship. Depression is greatly associated with the internet addiction so if can we reduce the depression then can be reduced internet addiction.

Keywords: Cross-sectional survey, Internet addiction, Depression, MoCA and self-esteem

© 2017 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i7.19132

INTRODUCTION

Healthy use of the internet is defined as the use of the internet to achieve a desired goal within an appropriate period of time without intellectual or behavioral discomfort [1]. People throughout the world have found the internet to be a fast and easy was to gather information and to interact. However, some people lose control over their internet-related behavior, leading to difficulties in their daily lives and family [2]. Such uncontrolled behavior has been described as “internet addiction” or “problematic internet use”, and this problem has been suggested to constitute a behavioral addiction [3, 4]. Like other non-chemical addictions such as those involving gambling, sex, and shopping, the primary features of internet addiction include preoccupation, emotional liability, tolerance, withdrawal, interpersonal conflict, and engagement in repetitive behaviors. Among co-morbid disorders, depressive disorders have been most prominently related to internet addiction as well as anxiety disorders, and substance-related addictions [5]. The prevalence of internet addiction is high among young people due to their unsettled personalities and has been reported to vary from 1.5% to 24.2% [1]. The rate of internet usage was 22.4% in South Korea in 1999, but by June 2002 this had more than doubled to 58%, or 25.65 million people. Similarly, the proportion of U. S. homes with internet access increased significantly from 26.2% in December 1998 to more than half of the nation in September 2001 [6]. Depression manifests as deep sorrow or grief, insomnia, loss of appetite, unpleasant mood, hopelessness, irritability, self-dislike, and suicidal tendencies [1]. Low self-esteem, low motivation, fear of rejection and the need for confirmation from others, all of which are commonly observed in depressive people, may result in frequent use of the internet and theinteractive functions of the internet may lead to internet addiction in individuals with these characteristics [7].

Self-esteem is described as a person's attitude to himself; it can be positive or negative. Self-esteem is accepted that while a person perceives himself positively, self-esteem is high, but if the person perceives himself negatively, self-esteem is low. It has been suggested that low self-esteem is a principal component of depression [2]. As a coping strategy, people who have negative beliefs about themselves like having low self-esteem may tend to be addicted to be relieved from the their negative beliefs, self-esteem has a relationship with perfectionism and maladaptive perfectionism was found to be a negative predictor of self-esteem [2].

Internet addiction is more common in males than in females [8]. Gender differences in the preferred online activity have also been reported. For example, in adolescents with internet addiction, online gaming is the most common internet activity in males but not in females [9]. Researchers have suggested that Internet addiction might be related to cognitive function, on the one hand, people with deficits in certain aspects of cognitive functioning are more likely to be addicted to the Internet than those who have intact cognitive functioning. On the other hand, there is the possibility that internet addiction causes deficits in some cognitive functions [11].

The treatment approach of internet addiction is advisable and of internet addiction, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioid receptor antagonists, glutamate receptor antagonists, and psychostimulants and some antiepileptic, and especially valproate, are considered as potential drugs for the treatment of internet addiction [12].

This present study aimed to investigate the internet use in health care individuals and its impact on depression, self-esteem and social attachment on cognitive function of health care individuals and identify if internet addiction may cause depression, decrease in self-esteem, and changes in social attachment and cognitive decline in health care individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey which included 110 healthcare individuals (Physician, Pharmacist, Psychologist, Social worker and Nurses) after providing their consent. This study conducted in Radianz healthcare and research private limited. Young’s internet addiction test and depression score, self-esteem (Rosenberg’s) score and MoCA were used to measure internet addiction and psychological variables. This study was two phased, baseline and follow up.

The individuals were explained with the prepared questionnaire for depression, self-esteem and cognitive function to correlate internet addiction (MoCA) by using depression score and self-esteem (Rosenberg’s) Score. We included the individuals working in health care with relevant education and individual serving in health care (more than 3 y) without relevant education. The individuals not interested in enrolling for the study, mentally challenged and non-health care individuals were excluded.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was done by using epidemiological information package (EPI 2012) developed by centre for disease control, Atlanta. Using this software range, frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, chi square, ’t’ value and 'p' values were calculated. ‘t’ test was used to test the significance of difference between quantitative variables and Yate’s and Fisher’s chi square tests for qualitative variables. A 'p' value less than 0.05 was taken to denote significant relationship.

RESULTS

Total 110 number of health care professional were involved in this study

Table 1: Internet addiction (IA)

Group Internet addiction
Score Normal Abnormal
Range Mean SD No. % No. %.
Physicians 0–8 4.32 1.91 13 59.1 9 40.9
Pharmacists 0–8 4.77 1.85 7 31.8 15 68.2
Psychologists 1–8 4.5 2.04 12 54.5 10 45.5
Social workers 0–8 5.18 2.3 6 27.3 16 72.7
Nurses 0–8 5.0 2.12 7 31.8 15 68.2
Total cases 0–8 4.75 2.04 45 40.9 65 59.1
‘*p’ 0.6267

SD: Standard deviation, MoCA: Montreal cognitive assessment, IA: Internet addiction

 

Fig. 1: Showed that social workers were more addicted 72.7% (Mean=5.18) followed by pharmacist and nurses 68.2% (mean=4.77) and physicians were least addicted 40.9% (Mean=4.32) but overall result was not significant (P=0.6267)

Table 2: Depression

Group Depression
MDI score Normal Depressed
Range Mean SD No. % No. %.
Physicians 4–30 16.0 8.5 13 59.1 9 40.9
Pharmacists 7–29 19.8 7.1 7 31.8 15 68.2
Psychologists 5–30 16.7 8.8 12 54.5 10 45.5
Social workers 4–30 19.5 8.5 8 36.4 14 63.6
Nurses 4–30 19.3 9.4 7 31.8 15 68.2
Total cases 4–30 18.3 8.5 47 42.7 63 57.3
‘*p’ 0.4507
 

Fig. 2: Depicts that Pharmacist 68.2% (mean=19.8) were more depressed because of internet addiction followed by Social worker 63.6% (mean=19.5) and Physician 40.9% (mean=16) were least affected which was measured by the MDI score but overall result showed non-significant (P=0.4507)

Table 3: Self esteem

Group Self esteem
Rosenberg’s self-esteem score Normal Low self esteem
Range Mean SD No. % No. %
Physicians 16–30 22.7 3.8 22 100 - -
Pharmacists 12–28 19.8 4.2 19 86.4 3 13.6
Psychologists 11–27 19.6 3.9 19 86.4 3 13.6
Social workers 13–29 18.9 4.2 16 72.7 6 27.3
Nurses 12–25 18.0 3.7 16 72.7 6 27.3
Total cases 11–30 19.8 4.2 92 83.6 18 16.4
‘*p’ 0.0025
 

Fig. 3: Exhibits that Social worker and nurses 27.3% had low self-esteem due to internet addiction followed by Pharmacist and Psychologist 13.6% andthe entire Physician were not affected which was measured by the Rosenberg’s self-esteem score and the overall result were significant (P=0.0025)

Table 4: Montreal cognitive assessment

Group Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA)
MOCA score Normal Abnormal
Range Mean SD No. % No. %.
Physicians 23–28 25.9 1.4 14 63.6 8 36.4
Pharmacists 23–29 26.2 1.9 11 50 11 50
Psychologists 22–30 26.3 2.2 15 68.2 7 31.8
Social workers 21–30 25.0 2.6 9 40.9 13 59.1
Nurses 21–29 25.4 2.2 8 36.4 14 63.6
Total cases 21-30 25.7 2.1 57 51.8 53 48.2
‘*p’ 0.2189
 

Fig. 4: Reveals that majority of cognitive functions of the Nurses 63.6% were affected followed by Social worker 59.1% and the cognitive function was least affected for the Physician (34.1%) and psychologist (31.8%) due to internet addiction

Table 5: Association between internet addiction and other variables

Variable Parameter Value for internet addiction *P
Normal Addicted
Depression Normal (47)Depressed (63) 45(95.7%)0 (0) %) 2 (4.3%)63 (100%) <0.0001
Self esteem Normal (92)Lowself-esteem(18) 44(47.8%)1 (5.6%) 48(52.2%)17(94.4%) 0.0005
MOCA score Normal (57)Abnormal (53) 43(75.4%)2 (3.8%) 14(24.6%)96.2%) <0.0001
 

Fig. 5: Exhibits that females were less addicted as compared to male and unmarried were more addicted as compared to married. Majority of depressed, abnormal MoCA and low self-esteem individuals were more addicted to the internet as compared to normal individuals

Table 6: Relationship between baseline values and follow up values in internet addiction assessment

Variable Baseline Follow up *P
Mean SD Mean SD
Internet addiction score 4.75 2.04 4.84 1.97 0.07636
Depression score 18.27 8.49 17.52 8.13 0.5016
Self-esteem (Rosenberg’s) score 19.78 4.21 18.7 4.2 0.0578
MOCA score 25.75 2.14 25.23 2.14 0.0742
 

Fig. 6: Showed that internet addiction was slightly increased in follow up phase but statisticallynot significant (P=0.07636). MoCA (P=0.0742), Self-steam (P=0.0578), and depression score (P=0.5016) were decreased in follow up but statistically not significant

DISCUSSION

The study was critical as it was selected only to health care individuals and the current study was first to internet addiction in healthcare individuals and various factors such asdepression, cognitive function and self–esteem associated with internet addiction.

In this current study, the addicted group's depression scores were significantly higher than those of the non-addicted group [2] but contradicted by Baris Afsar who found that depressive behavior was associated with lower use of internet and social media. Though this study, it is also clear that majority of depressed, cognitive declinedand low self-esteem individuals were more addicted to the internet as compared to normal individuals which was found to be significant. The negative mood states can drive people to use online interactions for mood regulation, a behavior that is associated with a deficiency in self-control; individuals with low self-control are more likely to use the internet inappropriately or to become addicted [5]. Depression and internet addiction have been found to be associated by several [13-15]. However, our study revealed that depressed individuals were more addicted to the internet and found to be significant by using depression score. Loneliness, low self-esteem, and lack of motivation may drive a depressed individual to net addiction. It also may serve as an easy means of getting social approval and thus bolstering an otherwise low self-esteem in such subjects [16]. In this study, the internet addiction was slightly raised in follow up phase which was statistically not significant (P=0.07636). MoCA, Self-steam, and depression score were decreased in follow up phase but statistically not significant.

LIMITATION

The current study has some limitations. The use of self-rating measurement to detect internet addiction can be considered as a limitation of the study. Because the study was cross-sectional, we could not establish a causal relationship and the current study was only conducted in some specific number of healthcare professionals and replicated in another setting or with participants from different age groups and backgrounds to reach more generalizable findings.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that there is relationship between the internet addiction and depression, cognitive function and self-steam. The depressed individuals were more addicted to the internet followed by abnormal cognitive function and low self-esteem individuals. This study suggested that there is need to reduce the internet addiction among health care professionals then only can be thought about the common people.

Internet addiction may be a relevant clinical construct and early diagnostic tools thatneeds extensive research even in developing nations to explore the relationship. Depression is greatly associated with the internet addiction so if can we reduce the depression then can be reduced internet addiction.

AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION

Dr. Vikhram and Raja Soundara Pandian-Principal Investigator who conducted the study.

Dr. Rajesh Venkataraman-Contributed to research concept development, topic selection, questionnaire development and guided the research process and manuscript preparation.

Gopal Teli-Helped in literature review and manuscript writing.

Niraj Shrestha-Helped in statistical analysis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to thank Radianz Healthcare and research private limited, Madurai to have supported the study.

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

The authors have no personal, professional, or ethical conflicts of interest in the publication of this study

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