The Impact of Internet Addiction and Job Satisfaction on Mental Health Symptoms among a Sample of Portuguese Workers

Abstract

Not many studies assessing the impact of internet addiction (IA) and job satisfaction (JS) on mental health symptoms (MHS) among active workers exist. Therefore, the purpose of this study was as follows: (a) to assess the presence of criteria for IA among a sample of active workers; (b) to analyze differences in IA, JS and MHS, by gender; (c) to analyze association levels among IA, JS, and MHS; and (d) to determine the predictive effect of IA and JS on MHS. In total, 1064 participants (Mage = 40.66; SD = 12.02) completed a survey containing four categories of measures: demographic information, internet addiction, job satisfaction, and mental health symptoms (anxiety and depression). Results showed a presence of 13.3% for IA among the sample. Male participants showed higher scores of IA and JS but lower scores of overall MSH than female participants did. Significant positive correlations were found between overall IA and MHS, and significant negative correlations were found between IA and JS, and MHS and JS. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that strong predictors of MHS were age (being older), gender (being female), not having enough economic funds, being unsatisfied with the leadership in the job, being unsatisfied with the nature of the job, and having higher scores in salience and excessive use regarding IA. In conclusion, addiction to internet technology is a risk factor with implications for occupational satisfaction and mental health.

The Relationship between Teacher Autonomy and Mental Health in Primary and Secondary School Teachers: The Chain-Mediating Role of Teaching Efficacy and Job Satisfaction

“…Our results not only verified the mediating effect of teaching efficacy, underlying the relationship between teacher autonomy and mental health, but also confirmed the mediating effect of job satisfaction. This is in line with the results of prior studies [ 33 , 42 ], which showed that teacher autonomy could positively predict teachers’ job satisfaction. This result is also consistent with the findings of a study that showed that job satisfaction could significantly predict well-being [ 43 ], and this means that job satisfaction can predict mental health.…”

Internet Addiction

“…In a multivariate analysis, internet addiction was shown to be significantly associated with depression and insomnia, which underlines the importance of this phenomenon [ 31 ]. In a large sample of Portuguese workers, IA was also strongly associated with anxiety and depression, as concluded by Pereira et al [ 32 ]. Apart from problematic internet use, age (being older), gender (being female), not having enough economic funds, being unsatisfied with the leadership in the job, being unsatisfied with the nature of the job, and having higher scores in salience were significant predictors of mental health issues [ 32 ].…”

The prevalence and risk factors of burnout and its association with mental issues and quality of life among hungarian postal workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Relatively recent studies have also showed the important role of certain individual traits are not negligible precedessors such as emotional labor, maladaptive traits or neuroticism [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]. Sociodemographic factors such as younger age, being single and having less work-related experience can also be important predictors [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Work-related conditions are the most important in the development of burnout; overwork, increased workplace stress, lack of effort and rewards and imparied collegial relationships are well-known precursors [2][3][4][5]. Relatively recent studies have also showed the important role of certain individual traits are not negligible precedessors such as emotional labor, maladaptive traits or neuroticism [3,4,6,7]. Sociodemographic factors such as younger age, being single and having less work-related experience can also be important predictors [7,8].…”