EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET ADDICTION, SLEEP QUALITY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of internet addiction, poor sleep quality, and mental health challenges, such as depression, among medical students is an area of growing concern. Studies have revealed high rates of internet addiction, with over 21% of students experiencing severe or moderate addiction. Additionally, smartphone overuse has been strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of internet addiction, the level of sleep quality, and the presence of depressive symptoms among medical students.

 Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational survey that conducted among medical students in all medical colleges in Saudi Arabia between August 2024 and Nov 2024. The study population includes students from the first year to the interns of medical college. A questionnaire used as a data collecting method. Participants surveyed regarding Quality of sleep using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), for depressive symptoms using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and for internet addiction using The Internet Addiction Test (IAT).

  Results: This study involving 417 medical students, we explored the links between internet addiction, sleep quality, and depression. The participants, predominantly young males (58.0%), exhibited concerning mental health trends, with 31.2% experiencing moderate depression and 19.4% severe depression. Sleep quality was poor in 54.9% of respondents, with only 6.5% reporting good sleep quality. Notably, 39.3% went to bed after 1 a.m., contributing to sleep disturbances. Internet addiction was prevalent, with 30% frequently staying online longer than intended, negatively impacting academic performance and personal relationships. Significant relationships were found between depression, sleep quality, and demographic factors like age and year of college.

Conclusion: This cross-sectional study has emphasised the significant prevalence of internet addiction, poor sleep quality, and depression among medical students in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore the relationships between these factors and the need for interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this population.