Technology addiction among treatment seekers for psychological problems: implication for screening in mental health setting

• Main Authors: Aswathy Das, Manoj Kumar Sharma, P Thamilselvan, P Marimuthu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
• Subjects: Addiction; information technology; mental health
• Online Access: http://www.ijpm.info/article.asp?issn=0253-7176;year=2017;volume=39;issue=1;spage=21;epage=27;aulast=Das

Background: Technology usage has seen an increase among users. The usage varies from social, personal, and psychological reasons. Users are frequently using to overcome mood states as well as to manage the other psychological states. This work is going to explore the information technology use among subjects with a psychiatric disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 subjects were assessed using background data sheet, internet addiction impairment index, video game use pattern, pornography addiction screening tool and screening for mobile phone use, from in-patient and out-patient setting of tertiary mental health setting. Results: It showed the presence of addiction to mobile, internet, video game, and pornography. Age was found to be negatively correlated with this addiction. Average usage time had been associated with management of mood states. The addiction to information technology had been associated with a delay in initiation of sleep. Conclusion: This work has implication for screening technology addiction among subjects seeking treatment for psychological problems and motivate them to develop the healthy use of technology.