Abstract
BACKGROUND: The development of society and the close connection of everyday life with the internet have brought a new type of non-substance addiction - internet addiction. Although the relationship between internet addiction and health has been confirmed and the importance of this issue has been emphasized, it has not been sufficiently examined in European countries.
AIMS: The main objective of the study was to assess the significance of the relationship between internet addiction and health perception in a sample of university students in the Slovak Republic. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS (METHODS): Data was collected using a questionnaire distributed in 2020.
The objective was achieved using descriptive analysis and correlation analysis, but mainly quartile regression analysis. SAMPLE (PARTICIPANTS): The sample was created by a combination of selection based on availability (voluntariness) and later quota selection.
The study sample consisted of 1612 responses of Slovak university students. The analyses included data on internet addiction (IA) and health perception (HP).
RESULTS: Health perception among the Slovak university students showed relatively positive values. Internet addictionrelated values suggested normal levels of internet use among the Slovak students.
Problematic behaviour was found in approximately 33% of the sample that was analysed. Less than one per cent of the respondents could be assessed as severely addicted.
The effect of IA on HP has also been proved and confirmed. Overall, it can be concluded that there is a negative effect of internet addiction on health perception, i.e.
HP decreases with increasing IA. CONCLUSIONS: Internet addiction prevention and education should not be underestimated.
The development of society and the tendency of the population to non-substance addictions can currently be considered a major threat for the future.