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The link between problematic internet use, problematic gaming, and psychological distress: does sleep quality matter?
Qian Wang1, Komi Mati2, Yong Cai3
1School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 227 S Chongqing Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China. qian.wang@shsmu.edu.cn.
Poor sleep quality significantly mediates the link between problematic internet use and psychological distress in Chinese college students. Improving sleep is crucial for mental health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Digital Health
Background:
- Problematic internet use (PIU) and gaming are prevalent among college students.
- These behaviors are associated with negative mental health outcomes, including psychological distress.
- The role of sleep quality as a mediator in these associations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between problematic internet use (PIU) and psychological distress.
- To examine the mediating role of sleep quality in the association between problematic gaming and psychological distress.
- To explore these relationships among college students in China.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1040 full-time college students in China.
- Data collected on internet use, gaming behaviors, sleep quality, and psychological distress.
- Statistical analyses were performed to examine the mediating effect of sleep quality.
Main Results:
- Problematic internet use (PIU) was significantly associated with decreased sleep quality and increased psychological distress.
- Problematic gaming also showed significant associations with decreased sleep quality and increased psychological distress.
- Sleep quality accounted for 23.5% of the indirect effect of PIU and 17.9% of the indirect effect of problematic gaming on psychological distress.
Conclusions:
- Sleep quality plays a meaningful mediating role in the link between PIU and psychological distress.
- The mediating effect of sleep quality is smaller in the association between problematic gaming and psychological distress.
- Interventions should consider improving sleep quality to mitigate the negative psychological impact of excessive internet and gaming behaviors.
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