The Relationship Between Gadget Addiction and Psychosocial Disorders Among Junior High School Students

Abstract

Psychosocial disorders are changes in a person’s mental and emotional condition that can lead to difficulties in daily activities and may affect interpersonal relationships. Psychosocial disorders can be caused by factors such as gadget addiction. This study aims to explore the relationship between gadget addiction and psychosocial disorders among junior high school students. This is an analytical observational research design with a cross-sectional approach. The research sample was selected using the total sampling technique, resulting in 107 students from grades VII and VIII of Islam Hidayatullah Semarang Junior High School. The inclusion criteria were students from grades VII and VIII who were willing to fully complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire used to assess gadget addiction was the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist – 17 (PSC-17) was used to assess psychosocial disorders. Data analysis in this study was conducted using the Spearman-Rho correlation test. The results of the study show that the majority of children experienced gadget addiction 55 students (51.4%), and 87 students (81.3%) did not experience psychosocial disorders. The results of the Spearman rho statistical test analysis showed r = 0.322 and p = 0.001 (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between gadget addiction and psychosocial disorders, with a weak correlation. The more gadgets addicted, the more it will cause psychosocial disorders.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 09 No. 01 Jan’25 Page: 26-28