Internet and Game Addiction in Relation to Sleep Disturbances: Findings From a University Student Sample
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Abstract
Introduction: Sleep health among university students is understudied, despite its critical importance to well-being. As digital technologies become deeply integrated into daily life, understanding the impact of internet and gaming addiction on sleep quality is vital. This study aims to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances among university students and investigate the relationships between internet addiction, gaming addiction, and sleep quality within this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 308 university students. Internet addiction was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test, while game addiction was evaluated with the Game Addiction Scale. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: The findings indicated that 37% of participants reported moderate to severe internet addiction, while 59.1% were classified as pathological gaming addicts. The prevalence of sleep disturbances was 79%. The findings from logistic regression analysis indicate a significant correlation between game addiction and sleep quality. It suggests that individuals with pathological game addiction are more likely to experience sleep disturbances in comparison to those with normal levels of game addiction (OR = 2.038, 95% CI [1.106, 3.757]). Neither gender nor internet addiction levels significantly predicted sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need to promote balanced and healthy digital habits, especially regarding gaming behaviour, to protect sleep health and student well-being. This study emphasises integrating sleep health into university-level policy-making and intervention programs.
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