Exploring Internet Addiction in Italian Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

(1) Background: Nomophobia is considered a digital and virtual contemporary society disorder and refers to discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or distress caused by being out of contact with a cell phone or computer. The present study had a twofold objective: to evaluate the expert use of the Internet among Italian nurses by correlating it with socio-demographic characteristics, such as: sex, years of work experience, professional role, and level of nursing education; and to assess a possible increase in the levels of nomophobia among Italian nurses during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to September 2020, such as during the First Wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. (3) Results: A total of 502 nurses were enrolled in the present study. Significantly differences were reported in the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) levels according to socio-demographic characteristics since males reported significantly higher IAT levels than females (p < 0.001). Nurses who worked more than 6 years reported significantly higher IAT levels (p = 0.031) than their younger colleagues. More nursing managers and coordinators reported significantly higher IAT levels than registered nurses (p < 0.001). This trend was repeated by considering the nursing educational level, as nurses who recorded more years of nursing educational level reported significantly higher IAT levels than the others (p = 0.003). Additionally, significant differences were reported according to all the socio-demographic characteristics considered and IAT subdimensions, namely: Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, and Lack of Control. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed higher levels of Internet addiction in men than in women during the COVID-19 pandemic period, as well as a significant correlation between nomophobia, years of work experience, and the role of nursing coordinator/manager.

Gambling and internet addiction: a pilot study among a Population of Italian Healthcare

“…This aspect reflects that of a study conducted in Italy, in the first pandemic phase, where significant differences in IAT levels emerge In fact, from the results of this study, the male gender reports significantly higher IAT levels than the female gender ( p < .001), as also reported among the data presented here. Those with more than six years of experience also reported significantly higher levels of IAT ( p = .031) than their younger counterparts (Lupo et al, 2022 ). In addition, the literature points out that in individuals addicted to Internet, psychiatric comorbidities may also occur: among the most frequently associated disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and especially social anxiety, aggression control disorder, obsessive compulsive, borderline, narcissistic, histrionic and avoidant personality disorder, as well as the presence of other addictions (alcohol and other substances) (Bernardi & Pallanti, 2009 ; Cowlishaw & Kessler, 2016 ; Ko et al, 2012 ; Lupo et al, 2020 ; Pucciarelli et al, 2019 ) This aspect could lead back to a hypothesis about the existence of etiopathogenetic and psychopathological mechanisms that could foster this relationship, as well as the presence of physiological alterations similar to substance addictions (Bernardo et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Such interventions allow for improved compliance and adherence to treatment: an element that is not easily addressed in the more general context of addiction issues. The Covid-19 pandemic has generated significant impacts on the mental health of the general population and health professionals, a condition exacerbated by both job uncertainty and changes in the social context, generating a rather worrying scenario, on which action needs to be taken in terms of prevention and monitoring also of the possible harms related to this pathological addiction, as suggested by a study by Kiràly et al (Király et al, 2020 ; Lupo et al, 2022 ). Currently, responses to the problem of gambling are not yet sufficiently delineated and socially satisfactory.…”