COMPARISON OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND RESILIENCY OF PEOPLE WITH INTERNET ADDICTION AND ORDINARY PEOPLE

Background and Aim : Nowadays, the use of the Internet is increasing rapidly in homes, schools, universities, and libraries, but its excessive use has led to Internet addiction . Internet addiction is one of the impulse control disorders which is known with mental preoccupation, desire or uncontrolled behaviours and attention to the Internet or internet use. It can lead to mental disorder or stress. Considering the increasing use of internet, this study aimed to compare the cognitive function and resilience of people with internet addiction and ordinary people.Methods : This study was a causal comparative study that was conducted on people with internet addiction and the general population. 140 people were selected by random cluster sampling. To measure the sample individuals, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003), Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) (1975) and were used, and Data were analysed by ANOVA and independent t-test.Results : The results showed that the cognitive function of the normal group was higher than the Internet addict s cognitive function. Also, the results showed that the resiliency of ordinary people was higher than the Internet addict s resiliency. The results also showed that there is a significant difference between two groups of normal and in internet addicts in cognitive function and resiliency.Conclusion : This study showed that internet addiction can effect on human mental functions such as cognitive function and resiliency. These finding have important implications for prevention and treatment of internet addiction.

Keywords:

cognitive function , resiliency , internet addiction