The Impact of Physical Distancing and Associated Factors Towards Internet Addiction Among Adults in Indonesia During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Web-Based Study

Abstract

Introduction Physical distancing has encouraged the public to utilize the Internet for virtually all daily activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Internet addiction (IA) prevalence and analyzed the correlated factors during quarantine and pandemic. Methods An online survey was generated, comprising of a sociodemographic section, Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (KDAI), Symptoms Checklist-90, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The hyperlink was disseminated through social media, companies, and universities. Overall, 4,734 adults, (mean age 31.84 ± 7.73 years old and 55.2% males) representing all 34 provinces of Indonesia, gave valid responses. Results Point prevalence of IA during the COVID-19 pandemic was 14.4% in Indonesian adults. Online duration increased by 52% compared to before the pandemic. Physical distancing was not established as a risk of IA. Increased daily online duration, specific motivations, types of application, and having confirmed/suspected COVID-19 cases within the household were predictive of IA. All subscales of SCL-90 and PSQI were higher in the group with positive/suspect cases of COVID-19 within households and were correlated to higher scores of IA. Discussion Physical distancing alone was not associated with an increased risk of IA. The prevalence of IA during COVID-19 was higher than the previously proposed rate among Indonesian adults, which might be related to digital activities associated with COVID-19 and the popularity of virtual socializing. Furthermore, psychopathologies and sleep disruptions were related to IA occurrences and especially prevalent in groups with proximity to COVID-19. Fear of COVID-19 contraction and rampant misinformation of COVID-19 probably contributed to these factors, which potentially harbor long-term consequences. Conclusion The current study demonstrated a high point prevalence of IA and identified several preventable factors predictive of IA during home-quarantine and COVID-19, especially in adults with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 cases within the household. However, physical distancing did not increase the odds of IA. Public health agencies should maintain physical distancing advisory while providing adaptive psychiatric education and service.

Alcohol- and Cigarette-Use Related Behaviors During Quarantine and Physical Distancing Amid COVID-19 in Indonesia

“…Another probable consequence of this stressor was sleeping disturbance that was quite prevalent among the respondents. Poor sleep quality correlated significantly to increased alcohol use and this similar pattern was observed with internet addiction among Indonesian adults during the pandemic ( 41 ). Alcohol acutely acts as a sedative on non-alcoholic people, which will shorten sleep latency but perturb the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep cycle.…”

Pengalaman Perawat Saat Terkonfirmasi Covid-19 Di Rumah Sakit Dokter H. Mochammad Ansari Saleh Banjarmasin

“…Internet digunakan setiap orang untuk mendapatkan informasi dari seluruh dunia tentang COVID-19 karena mudah diakses. (Siste et al, 2020) dalam penelitiannya menunjukkan bahwa salah satu faktor prediktif yang menyebabkan perilaku adiksi internet di masa pandemi adalah dorongan untuk mencari informasi terkait penyakit COVID-19. Stres psikologi yang timbul akibat rasa takut terhadap infeksi virus COVID-19 juga dapat mendasari seseorang untuk mencari rekreasi melalui aktivitas online atau internet sebagai salah satu bentuk adaptasi.…”

Reality of the internet and social media addiction in Indonesian students

“…The increase in Internet users in Indonesia was causing some communities to conduct Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), also known as pathological Internet use [6]. The survey conducted by Siste [7] shows the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the increasing use of the Internet and its psychological effects on its users.…”

“…The discussion was very focused on dealing with the survey data, so the information on the effects of addiction was not discussed in depth. Siste [7] surveyed to measure the impact of physical distance and factors related to Internet addiction among Indonesian adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey results show that being in isolation during a pandemic and at home will lead to an increase in Internet access time, which will worsen the health of Internet addicts.…”

“…This research was conducted to answer whether the phenomenon of addiction to the Internet and social media is a scientific reality or not in Indonesia, especially in Indonesian Students who are undergoing adaptation of the learning process from offline to online due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. In recent years, there have been several studies [7], [31], [32] discussing the impact of the Internet and social media addiction in Indonesia. However, there is no recent study to measure the impact of the Internet and social media addiction on Indonesia Students during the Covid-19 pandemic.…”