Prävalenz von Internetsucht vor und während der COVID-19 Pandemie unter Studierenden der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie Internetsucht ist eine Verhaltensstörung, von welcher v. a. Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene, unter ihnen auch Studierende an Hochschulen betroffen sind. Die COVID-19 Pandemie führte aufgrund der Maßnahmen zu ihrer Eindämmung zu starken Einbußen sozialer Beziehungen, Studium und Freizeitaktivitäten der Studierenden. Diese Studie untersuchte, wie hoch die Prävalenz der Internetsucht unter Studierenden vor und während der COVID-19 Pandemie ausfällt und welche soziodemografischen (Geschlecht, Fachgruppe) und Gesundheitsfaktoren (Depressionssymptome, Einsamkeit, Ängste, Impulsivität) mit Internetsuchtsymptomen assoziiert sind.

Methodik In der vorliegenden Studie nahmen 2 Stichproben der Studierenden der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz im Sommer 2019 (N=4351) vor und im Sommer 2020 (N=3066) während der COVID-19 Pandemie im Rahmen des Modellvorhabens „Healthy Campus Mainz-gesund studieren“ zur Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung zu verschiedenen Gesundheitsthemen und Studienbedingungen an Online-Umfragen teil. Es wurde die Prävalenz von Internetsucht erhoben und mittels logistischer Regression Zusammenhänge mit Geschlecht, Depressionssymptomen, Einsamkeit, Ängsten und Impulsivität analysiert.

Ergebnisse Die Prävalenz der Internetsucht lag 2019 bei 3,9% und lag 2020 signifikant höher bei 7,8%. Während 2019 männliches Geschlecht noch mit Internetsucht assoziiert war (OR₂₀₁₉=0,685, p<0,05), konnten 2020 keine Geschlechtsunterschiede mehr festgestellt werden. Sowohl vor als auch während der Pandemie gingen Depressionssymptome (OR₂₀₁₉=1,121, p<0,001; OR₂₀₂₀=1,175, p<0,001) und Einsamkeit (OR₂₀₁₉=1,121, p<0,001; OR₂₀₂₀=1,071, p<0,05) mit Internetsucht einher, während der Pandemie auch Angstgefühle (OR₂₀₂₀=1,156, p<0,05).

Schlussfolgerung Studierende stellen eine gefährdete Gruppe für Internetsucht dar. Während der COVID-19 Pandemie trat die Symptomatik deutlich häufiger auf als noch ein Jahr zuvor. Es müssen unbedingt geeignete Präventions- und Interventionsangebote für Studierende implementiert werden, die sowohl Internetsucht, aber auch damit einhergehende Probleme wie Depression und Einsamkeit in den Blick nehmen.

Abstract

Purpose Internet addiction is a behavioral disorder that primarily affects adolescents and young adults, including college students. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe changes in students' daily lives due to the pandemic containment measures. Therefore, the current study addressed the question of the prevalence of internet addiction among college students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, sociodemographic (gender, subject group) and health factors (depression symptoms, loneliness, anxiety, and impulsivity) were considered in terms of how they are associated with internet addiction.

Methods In the present study, two samples of students at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz participated in online surveys on various health topics and their present study situation. The data collection took place in both summer 2019 (N=4,351) and summer 2020 (N=3,066) during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the JGU’s health project “Healthy Campus Mainz-gesund studieren” on prevention and health promotion among students. Frequency measures for prevalence were calculated and associations with gender, depression symptoms, loneliness, anxiety, and impulsivity were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results The prevalence of internet addiction symptoms was 3.9% in 2019, while it was significantly higher with 7.8% during the pandemic. While male gender was still associated with internet addiction in 2019 (OR₂₀₁₉=0.685, p<0.05), no gender discrepancy was found in 2020. Both before and during the pandemic, depression symptoms (OR₂₀₁₉=1.121, p<0.001; OR₂₀₂₀=1.175, p<0.001) and loneliness (OR₂₀₁₉=1.121, p<0.001; OR₂₀₂₀=1.071, p<0.05) were associated with internet addiction. Additionally, anxiety also played a role in the association with internet addiction during the pandemic (OR₂₀₂₀=1.156, p<0.05).

Conclusion Students represent a highly vulnerable group for internet addiction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the symptomatology occurred significantly more often than in the year before. It is highly needed to implement appropriate prevention and intervention services for students that address both internet addiction as well as associated problems such as depression and loneliness.

Schlüsselwörter

Internetsucht - stoffungebundene Sucht - Prävalenz - Studierende - COVID-19

Keywords

Internet addiction - non-substance addiction - prevalence - students - COVID-19

Publication History

Article published online:
03 November 2021

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