The Effect of Circadian Types and Depressive Mood on Internet Addiction in Korean College Students

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among circadian types, depressive mood and internet addiction and to identify the mediating effect of depressive mood between circadian types and internet addiction in Korean College Students. METHODS: A total of 2632 participants completed questionnaires, which included the Korean translation of the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Korean version of the Internet Addiction Test (KIAT). Statistical analyses were done using correlation analysis, analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The CSM score was negatively associated with the PHQ-9 score (r = -0.226, p < 0.001) and the KIAT score (r = -0.218, p < 0.001). The eveningness group showed higher scores in depressive mood and internet addiction than the morningness group (p < 0.001). Depressive mood showed a partial mediating effect between circadian types and internet addiction (β = 0.255, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Internet addiction was associated with circadian types and depressive mood. These results suggest that depression and circadian rhythm management would contribute to the prevention of internet addiction.