Internet Addiction Levels and Problem-Solving Skills in the Teaching Profession: An Investigation

Abstract

Abstract. In this research, the relationship between Internet addiction levels among teaching candidates and their problem-solving aptitude and self-efficacy perceptions towards the teaching profession was investigated. In addition, the effects of gender, department, Internet use and sporting habits on the Internet addiction, problem-solving skills and self-efficacy perceptions among teaching candidates were examined. The sample in this study comprised final-grade teaching candidates who were in the graduation phase. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted with the SPSS 22.0 computer program. According to the results, there was a moderate negative relationship between the Internet addiction level among the teaching candidates and weak self-efficacy perceptions and problem-solving skills, while there was a positively higher correlation between self-efficacy perceptions and problem-solving skills in the sample. Male subjects' Internet addiction levels were significantly higher than those of their female counterparts. However, no gender influence was observed on the problem-solving skills of prospective teachers and their proficiency regarding professional competence. The use of the Internet for entertainment purposes influenced problem-solving skills among teaching candidates to a negative extent, resulting in Internet dependency. Teaching candidates who used the Internet for research purposes, however, showed a higher level of proficiency and problem-solving skills appropriate to their profession and lower Internet addiction levels. Engaging in regular sporting activities was found to reduce teaching candidates' Internet addiction levels and positively affect problem-solving skills.

Social Self-Efficacy and its Relationship to Loneliness and Internet Addiction among Hashemite University Students

“…These results are similar to those results of several studies (Wei, Russell, &Zakalik, 2005;Hermann, 2005;Erozkan & Deniz, 2012 ;Al Khatib, 2012 ;Carparo, 2014;Ibili, 2017;Afrin, 2016 ;Zeng, Ye, Hu & Ma, 2016 ;Feldman, Davidson, Ben-Naim, Maza, & Margalit, 2016) which indicate that there is a negative correlation between social self-efficacy, loneliness and internet addiction. However, Esen, Aktas and Tuncer(2013) concluded that there is no correlation between social self-efficacy and internet addiction.…”

The Influence of Smartphone Addiction, Personality Traits, Achievement Motivation on Problem-solving Ability of University Students

“…In general, the higher the smartphone addiction tendency, the lower the problem-solving ability will be. Similar findings have shown that addiction tendencies are negatively correlated with problem-solving and critical thinking skills (İbili, 2017;Lee & Kim, 2017).…”

Investigating social media addiction and impact of social media addiction, loneliness, depression, life satisfaction and problem-solving skills on academic self-efficacy and academic success among university students

“…Obstacles and conflicts can prevent an individual from reaching one’s goals. Novel problems such as new jobs as well as novel tasks and goals can be managed with effective problem-solving skills in an uncertain and complex society and positive results can be obtained with problem-solving mechanisms, and choosing an effective solution among possible or alternative solutions ( 16 ). Making logical decisions and carrying out activities should be in accordance with goals and objectives.…”

“…Making logical decisions and carrying out activities should be in accordance with goals and objectives. Problem-solving skills depend on an individual’s experience and rational problem-solving skills can be effective as a positive orientation toward problem solving ( 16 , 17 ). Trial-and-error and internal or causal approaches are applied to find solutions to problems.…”