Relationship between Internet Addiction and Psychological Maturity in Adolescents from Peru

Abstract

Introduction: The Internet is an indispensable resource for people, since it allows access to academic, communicational, social and other contents. However, its indiscriminate use leads to antisocial behavior, poor academic performance and inadequate interpersonal relationships, as well as it has social costs. Adolescents are at risk because they are in the process of maturity and psychoemotional development.

Objective: To describe the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological maturity in adolescents in Peru.

Methods: Quantitative study, with a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional design, carried out in 2019 in schools from Lima, Cusco, Iquitos, Pucallpa, San Martin, Tacna and Tumbes, Lima-Peru. The sample was made up of 1707 students in their third, fourth or fifth high school years. The survey was used as a technique, while the Internet Addiction Test and the Psychological Maturity Questionnaire were used as valid and reliable tools. The data were processed using Excel and the SPSS (version 25). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis: Pearson's correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U.

Results: Internet addiction, according to the analyzed dimensions, reached the average level in Costa, Sierra and Selva: tolerance (57.67%, 56.08%, 38.78%), excessive use (58.20%, 42.91%, 44.27%), withdrawal (58.86%, 52.03%, 40.92%) and negative consequences (59.13%, 52.71%, 49.31%). The same phenomenon manifested for psychological maturity: work orientation (53.44%, 37.04 %, 51.59%), autonomy (43.58, 34.46%, 45.95%) and identity (65.50%, 53.74%, 57.25%).

Conclusions: There is a significant and inverse relationship between Internet addiction and psychological maturity in adolescents, as well as in all its dimensions.