The Influence of Internet Addiction on the Psychological Well-being of Students at the American University of Nigeria in the Post-COVID Era

This study examined the influence of internet addiction on the psychological well-being of students in the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria in the post Covid era. University students are particularly vulnerable to internet addiction due to the pressures of academic life, social expectations, and the widespread availability of digital technology. The study employs a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, which allows for the collection of data at a single point in time. The study administered 100 questionnaires due to the regulatory admission of students in line with the American styled education. A combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling was employed to recruit participants for the study. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (means, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s r, regression, t-tests/ANOVA) performed using SPSS, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results indicate that internet addiction negatively impacts all six dimensions of psychological well-being, with environmental mastery and self-acceptance showing the strongest correlations. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether internet addiction predicts psychological well-being dimensions. The regression model was statistically significant (F (6, 93) = 7.85, p < 0.001), with an R² of 0.45, indicating that internet addiction accounts for 45% of the variance in psychological well-being. Early intervention and support are essential for addressing internet addiction and promoting psychological well-being among university students. Essentially, the research demonstrates a clear link between internet addiction and compromised psychological well-being in university students. This therefore highlights the need for awareness, prevention strategies, and support systems to help students maintain a healthy balance between their online and offline activities.