Internet Dependency and its Predictors among Faculty Members

Background: Extensive use of the internet has resulted in the emergence of a phenomenon called internet dependency. Internet dependency is turning into a major global concern due to its growing prevalence. It can negatively affect different personal, familial, occupational, and social aspects of life. Objectives: This study aimed to assess internet dependency and its predictors among faculty members. Methods: This cross‑sectional study was conducted in 2014–2015 on 211 faculty members of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Internet dependency was measured using the Internet Addiction Inventory, an instrument which consists of items on factors related to Internet use. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov, the Chi‑square, the Fisher’s exact, and the Kruskal–Wallis tests as well as the Spearman’s correlation and the logistic regression analysis. Results: Seventy‑five participants (35.5%) were at risk for internet dependency and the rest were in normal condition. The significant predictors of internet dependency were gender, main goal of internet use, and main type of internet use. Conclusion: As more than one‑third of the faculty members are at risk for internet dependency, educational interventions are needed to broaden their knowledge about the negative effects of internet overuse and to help them modify their internet use behaviors.