THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF SEMINARIANS IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TOMBURA-YAMBIO IN SOUTH SUDAN

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between problematic internet use and psychological wellbeing of seminarians in Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in South Sudan. The study was grounded on the theory of Cognitive Behavioral Model of Pathological Internet Use. The study employed descriptive survey design and used both questionnaires and interview schedules to collect primary data. A sample of 226 Seminarians was used through census method. The study established that nearly one-third of surveyed seminarians (30%) exhibited behaviors indicative of problematic internet use. The study revealed that the overall level of psychological wellbeing among seminarians was reported as moderately high (52.5%). The research revealed a moderate positive correlation (r= 0.429) between problematic internet use and psychological wellbeing among Seminarians. The intervention strategies suggested to address problematic internet use, included screening, awareness campaigns, promotion of healthy lifestyles, restricting access to harmful websites, implementing regulations, regulating internet usage time, and providing treatment for stress disorders. The study recommended that seminaries should implement screening measures to identify seminarians experiencing problematic internet use, as well as organizing awareness campaigns, workshops, and seminars to educate seminarians about the negative consequences of excessive internet use.