Personal Characteristics of Students, Inclined to Internet-addicted Behaviour

Abstract

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of personality traits of students with different levels of Internet addiction. In connection with the rapid ubiquitous spread of the Internet, the problem of dependence on the global network is becoming more and more urgent. However, we have to state that there is a contradiction between the need to prevent Internet addiction among young people and insufficient knowledge of the personal characteristics of students who are prone to Internet addictive behaviour. Materials and Methods. The research used the following methods: theoretical analysis of scientific literature, testing (test for Internet addiction (K. Young (adapted by V. A. Loskutova)), test “Self-assessment” (L. D. Stolyarenko), personality questionnaire “Suggestibility” (S. V. Klauchek and V. V. Delariu), personality questionnaire EPI (Eysenck Personality Inventory) (G. Eysenck), methodology for diagnosing failure avoidance motivation (T. Ehlers)). For statistical analysis of empirical data, the Student’s test was used for independent samples. Results. The study found that among the respondents there are no people with a pronounced Internet addiction. Identified potential Internet addicts – students overly keen on the Internet. They tend to have low self-esteem scores and are more susceptible to suggestion than regular web users. Most students who are prone to Internet-addicted behaviour have a high and too high level of motivation for avoiding failure, while the majority of ordinary users are characterized by a high level. There are no significant differences between the groups of respondents on the introversion and extraversion scale. Statistical analysis of the data obtained confirmed the presence of significant differences between students who are potential addicts and students who are ordinary Internet users in terms of self-esteem and suggestibility. Discussion and Conclusion. The analysis of the results of the study allows us to conclude that students who are overly keen on the Internet differ from their peers – ordinary Internet users by their tendency to a low assessment of their own qualities and a higher suggestibility. They also have a higher level of failure avoidance motivation. The data obtained by us can be used in the development of programs for the prevention of Internet addiction among students.