ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INTERNET USE PATTERNS AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Internet and smartphone use have become integral components of daily life among young adults, providing opportunities for communication, education, entertainment, and social networking. However, excessive or maladaptive patterns of internet use have emerged as a growing public health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting associations with psychological distress, particularly anxiety. Understanding the relationship between internet use behaviors and anxiety symptoms is important for developing targeted preventive and intervention strategies. Objectives: To examine the association between internet use patterns and anxiety symptoms among young adults and to identify specific usage behaviors independently associated with clinically significant anxiety. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 320 young adults who completed the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess problematic internet use and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale to evaluate anxiety symptoms. Additional data regarding internet use patterns, including daily duration of use, night-time usage, and primary online activities, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate relationships between IAT and GAD-7 scores. Anxiety prevalence was compared across categories of internet use, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of clinically significant anxiety, expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results: Problematic internet use was identified in 96 participants (30%). IAT scores demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with anxiety symptoms (r ≈ 0.44), indicating higher anxiety levels among individuals with greater problematic internet use. Multivariable analysis revealed that problematic internet use, prolonged daily internet exposure, and frequent night-time internet use were independently associated with clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: Problematic internet use patterns are significantly associated with anxiety symptoms among young adults. These findings highlight the importance of awareness programs and behavioral interventions focusing on healthy internet-use habits, particularly reducing excessive and night-time use, to support psychological wellbeing.