Internet and Mobile Game Addictions among Adolescents in Nigeria: Influence on Psychological Adjustment

Abstract

Aims: This study examined how internet and mobile game addictions influence psychological adjustment among secondary school adolescents in the Ibadan metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study adopted an ex-post facto research design which utilizes cross-sectional survey method to gather data. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the department of Psychology Redeemer’s University Methodology: The Brief Adjustment Scale, the Internet Addiction Test and the Internet Game Addiction Scale were used to collect data from 500 secondary school students purposively drawn for the study. Results: An 8.0% and 2.0% prevalence of internet addiction and mobile gaming addiction were reported among the participants. Internet addiction (F(1,499)= 30.19; p< 0.05) and mobile game addiction (F(1,499)= 54.49; p< 0.05) have significant influence on psychological adjustment among secondary school adolescents. Significant difference in the psychological adjustment of the participants was found on gender (T(498)=-3.492, p<.05) and school type (public / privately owned) among the secondary school students with female participants and private schools reporting higher mean scores respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that internet addiction, mobile game addictions, gender, and school type have significant influence on psychological adjustment among secondary school students. Based on the findings of this research, recommendations of psychological and behavioral management strategies to parents, school managements and policies of governments were given.