Volume-XII, Issue-V, September 2026 |
Influence of Internet Addiction on Social Connectedness and the Level of Depression,Anxiety and Stress among Adolescents. A. Sharmila Begam, Research Scholar, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India Selvi Muthuswamy, Research Guide, Madurai Kamaraj University.Madurai, Tamilnadu, India Kannan Mahalingam, Research supervisor, Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamilnadu, India |
Received: 30.08.2026 | Accepted: 19.09.2026 | Published Online: 30.09.2026 | Page No: 258-270 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.05W.390 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
Internet addiction is excessive and compulsive use of the Internet. Social connectedness is a sense of closeness and belonging that an individual experiences in their relationships with others. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or dread, while depression is a mood disorder that can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and stress is a physical and emotional response to a challenging situation. Aim: The aim of the study. Influence of Internet Addiction on Social Connectedness and Mental Health of Adolescents. The objectives are to examine the relationship between internet addiction and the social connectedness of adolescents, to examine the relationship between internet addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress of adolescents, and to examine the relationship between social connectedness, depression, anxiety, and stress of adolescents. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. Through simple random sampling, 317 Students have responded properly within the stipulated time. 20 items Internet Addiction Test (IAT), The 20 items Social Connectedness Scale Revised (SCS-R), The 21 items The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, Version 20.0. The Karl-Pearson correlation method was used to find the relationship between variables. A simple percentage analysis was used. An independent samples t-test was employed to find out the significant mean difference between the demographic variables, with a 95% confidence level, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Results reveals than there is a significant positive relationship between internet addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress. There is a significant negative relationship between social connectedness and internet addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress. Results indicate there is a significant difference between internet addiction and social connectedness based on gender, type of study, and number of hours using the internet. Conclusion: There is an important positive relationship between internet addiction, depression, anxiety and stress. | ||
Keywords: Internet addiction, social exclusion, Depression, Anxiety, Adolescent Stress |