The predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addiction among tertiary students in Ghana

Internet addiction is an emerging mental health concern, particularly among young people who avidly use online technologies. This cross-sectional study examined the predictive relationship between curiosity and internet addictive behaviours among 480 tertiary students in Ghana. Data were collected using Kashdan’s Curiosity Scale and Samaha’s Internet Addiction Test. The results revealed a 13.1% prevalence rate of internet addiction, with 73.1% classified as over-users. Only 29.4% exhibited high curiosity levels, while 35.6% had low curiosity. Structural equation modelling showed that deprivation sensitivity, covert social curiosity, overt social curiosity, stress tolerance, and thrill-seeking positively predicted various dimensions of internet addiction. Conversely, joyous exploration negatively predicted these behaviours. The curiosity composite positively predicted the overall internet addiction composite. The findings highlight curiosity’s complex role, where adaptive curiosity mitigates internet addiction risks, but maladaptive curiosity exacerbates such risks. Nurturing healthy curiosity while equipping students with self-regulation skills is crucial for promoting responsible internet use and preventing addictive behaviours. This study contributes insights into curiosity’s influence on youth mental health, informing prevention and intervention strategies within the context of higher education in Ghana.