INTERNET ADDICTION OF YOUNG STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ANXIETY

Abstract

The article examines the features of the manifestation of Internet addiction in students with different levels of personal and situational anxiety. The concept of Internet addiction, psychological and physiological symptoms, criteria for Internet addiction in the works of domestic and Western psychologists are theoretically analyzed. The psychological factors of a person's predisposition to Internet addiction are highlighted, in particular, the factor of anxiety and worry are described. The relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction, individual personality traits and anxiety is empirically revealed. In particular, a direct correlation relationship was found between Internet addiction and such personality traits as anxiety, tension, emotional instability and withdrawal. The differences between individuals with high, medium and low levels of anxiety and manifestations of Internet addiction are revealed. It has been proven that individuals with a higher level of anxiety have higher rates of Internet addiction compared to other groups of student youth. Using factor analysis, four key factors of Internet addiction among student youth were identified. The first factor is associated with compulsivity and withdrawal symptoms as manifestations of Internet addiction. The second factor reveals the relationship between emotional experiences, anxiety, and a tendency to Internet addiction. The third factor demonstrates the polarity between radicalism and conformism, which is associated with the problem of personal self-determination in adolescence. The fourth factor reveals the desire for social confidence by seeking contacts and developing social skills through online platforms and involvement in the Internet. Ways and methods of preventing and reducing Internet addiction and anxiety in adolescents are described. Directions of corrective work with anxious students of higher education institutions are outlined.