Investigating the psychological correlations of Internet addiction in Afghan students studying in Iranian universities

Background: Internet addiction can include psychological pathology. Several variables play a role in Internet addiction, which can be mentioned as depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem with Internet addiction. The question of research is whether there is a correlation between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem? Aims: The present study aimed to investigate psychopathologic correlates of internet addiction in Afghan Student studying in Iranian universities. Methods: The current research was a descriptive correlational study that was conducted in the academic year of 2022-2023.A total of 268 people (159 boys, 109 girls), from Afghan students studying in Iranian universities, who were selected by stratified random sampling, completed three scales; Internet addiction test, depression, anxiety, stress test and Rosenberg self-esteem test were used. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, regression analysis and t-test. Results: Results revealed a significant positive correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress with Internet addiction (P< 0.01).Furthermore, depression, stress, and anxiety were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction (P< 0/0001). Anxiety which accounted for 13% of the variance was the best predictor, followed by depression (2%) and stress (3%).The Prevalence of internet addiction was significantly higher among male subjects. Finally, our results suggested that Self-Esteem is largely irrelevant to internet addiction (P> 0.05).Background: Internet addiction can include psychological pathology. Several variables play a role in Internet addiction, which can be mentioned as depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem with Internet addiction. The question of research is whether there is a correlation between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem? Aims: The present study aimed to investigate psychopathologic correlates of internet addiction in Afghan Student studying in Iranian universities. Methods: The current research was a descriptive correlational study that was conducted in the academic year of 2022-2023.A total of 268 people (159 boys, 109 girls), from Afghan students studying in Iranian universities, who were selected by stratified random sampling, completed three scales; Internet addiction test, depression, anxiety, stress test and Rosenberg self-esteem test were used. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, regression analysis and t-test. Results: Results revealed a significant positive correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress with Internet addiction (P< 0.01).Furthermore, depression, stress, and anxiety were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction (P< 0/0001). Anxiety which accounted for 13% of the variance was the best predictor, followed by depression (2%) and stress (3%).The Prevalence of internet addiction was significantly higher among male subjects. Finally, our results suggested that Self-Esteem is largely irrelevant to internet addiction (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Considering that Internet addiction can be predicted through the dimensions of depression and anxiety; therefore, the results of this research have important points in the field of education of students suffering from Internet addiction and therapeutic interventions to control their psychological dysfunction. Conclusion: Considering that Internet addiction can be predicted through the dimensions of depression and anxiety; therefore, the results of this research have important points in the field of education of students suffering from Internet addiction and therapeutic interventions to control their psychological dysfunction.