The relationship between Internet addiction and personality traits in Moroccan nursing students

Internet addiction has been identified as a major mental health problem, particularly among young nursing students. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and Internet addiction in this population. This study adopts a descriptive, quantitative, and correlational approach among 388 nursing students enrolled in a Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques in Morocco. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Big Five Inventory (BFI) were used. A student-test was used to compare the differences in Internet addiction between different categorical groups. Pearson correlation was used to determine correlations between Internet addiction and personality traits. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the effects of independent variable groups on Internet addiction. The overall prevalence of Internet addiction was 68.3% (AI > 30). There were significant differences in Internet addiction by age group (p = 0.001), gender (p = 0.004), grade (p = 0.003), and reasons for using the Internet (p = 0.004). Neuroticism (β = .493, p < .05) and extraversion (β = .479, p < .05) were positive predictors of Internet addiction, whereas agreeableness (β = -.461 p < .05) and conscientiousness (β = -.395, p < .05) were negative predictors. Personality traits are critical contributors when designing individualized intervention strategies that contribute to the prevention and reduction of Internet addiction in nursing students.