Evaluating the role of sensation seeking and brain-behavioral systems in internet addiction among college students

Introduction: The Internet is one of the most powerful tools of development in the contemporary world, but excessive use of the Internet will causes Internet addiction. Given that various factors can be influential on the Internet addiction; this research aimed to evaluate the role of sensation seeking and brain-behavioral systems in Internet addiction among students of Islamic Azad University, branch of Mashhad. Materials and Methods: In this correlational research conducted on 92 students of Islamic Azad University, branch of Mashhad during 2016, questionnaire including: demographic characteristics data, Young Internet Addiction Test, Zuckerman s Sensation Seeking and Brain-Behavioral Systems. Data analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis using SPSS software. Results: There is a correlation between Internet addiction and the components of female student’s brain-behavioral systems, including drive, searching for entertainment, behavioral activation system, behavioral inhibition system but this correlation was not significant and there is only a positive relationship with the response to reward component. No significant relationships between these components have been found among male students. The correlation between Internet addiction and sensation seeking has been significant and positive and this correlation between internet addiction and disinhibition component was significant and negative, while the correlation coefficient between Internet addiction and boredom susceptibility and experience seeking components was not significant. Conclusion: According to the results, there was a direct and significant relation between Internet addiction and sensation seeking. This relationship was weaker about the role of brain behavioral systems and Internet addiction.