Effects of Electronic Devices and Internet Addiction on Sleep and Academic Performance Among Female Egyptian and Saudi Nursing Students: A Comparative Study

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep patterns and the related problems among nursing students

AIM

To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on sleep patterns and quality among nursing students in our college.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was carried out.

METHODS

A total of 302 nursing students aged 18-25 years, representing both genders and various academic levels, participated in this study. A pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sleep quality during COVID-19 and it was distributed through various social media platforms for data collection.

RESULTS

Female students comprised the majority (92.1%) of participants. Of 332 nursing students, 302 completed the questionnaire, yielding a 91% response rate. Statistically significant differences were observed before and during the COVID-19 lockdown regarding the need to sleep after waking, feeling refreshed upon waking, satisfaction with individual sleep patterns and experiencing restless and troubled sleep (p = 0.001). Additionally, approximately one-third of nursing students (32.9%) reported poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic, with minimal impact on the total sleep hours among the studied cohorts.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has statistically significant impacted nursing students' sleep quality and levels. Acknowledging these challenges and planning for providing supporting measurements is essential to ensuring that nursing students can maintain their physical and mental health, which is critical for their ability to provide quality healthcare.

Problematic use of the internet as a predictor of oral health-related quality of life: the mediating role of lifestyles in Peruvian schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

The pervasiveness of the Internet in everyday life, especially among young people, has raised concerns about its effects on mental health, education, and, recently, oral health. Previous research has suggested a complex relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life, highlighting the need to examine these interactions further. This study seeks to explore the PIU as a predictor of oral health-related quality of life and examine the mediating role of lifestyles between both in a sample of Peruvian schoolchildren.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 293 Peruvian students aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.42, SD = 1.5), using structural equations to analyze the relationship between PIU, lifestyles, and quality of life related to oral health. The data collection procedure was through a face-to-face survey. Validated instruments measured PIU, lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life. The study's theoretical model was analyzed through structural equation modeling with the MLR estimator. The fit assessment was performed using the comparative fit index (CFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR).

RESULTS

They indicated significant correlations between PIU, lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life. A negative influence of PIU on lifestyles (β = -0.30, p < .001) and on oral health-related quality of life (β = -0.35, p < .001) was observed, as well as a positive relationship between PIU and oral health-related quality of life (β = 0.29, p < .001). The mediation of lifestyles was statistically significant, suggesting that they mediate the relationship between PIU and oral health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirms that PIU can negatively affect adolescents' oral health-related quality of life, mediated by unhealthy lifestyles. It underlines the importance of promoting balanced Internet use and healthy lifestyles among young people to improve their oral well-being.

Effect of Mobile Phone Use on Musculoskeletal Complaints: Insights From Nursing Students at Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Introduction Smartphones are widely utilized by individuals on a daily basis for a variety of activities, including communication, web browsing, and gaming. However, the excessive and prolonged use of these devices often leads to adverse effects on musculoskeletal health. This study aimed to assess the effect of mobile phone use on musculoskeletal complaints among nursing students at Northern Border University. Methods An analytical descriptive study was conducted using a convenience sample of 202 nursing students recruited via a Google survey questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised four sections concerning the students' demographics, smartphone data collection tools, the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Results Among the study participants, 62.6% were females, with 52.4% spending more than 5 hours daily on media and technology usage, often extending into bedtime. In the last 12 months, neck pain was the most prevalent complaint, reported by 38.8% of the participants, followed by shoulder pain experienced by 20.3% of the sample. Notably, female students displayed a significantly higher incidence of musculoskeletal pain, with rates as high as 81.7% showing statistical significance (p<0.001). A significant association was also observed between mobile phone addiction and academic grade, as well as the time spent on media and technology usage daily (p<0.001). Conclusions There is a significant association between mobile phone use and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the neck region. Moreover, female students tend to experience more pronounced musculoskeletal discomfort compared to their male counterparts. The study also suggests that extended usage of mobile phones, especially at bedtime, increases the likelihood of experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort.

Factors affecting academic performance of college students in China during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional analysis

Introduction

Understanding the factors that affected academic performance of students during the COVID-19 pandemic will help design effective interventions for improving students' academic performance during emergency situations as well as during regular academic environment. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors that explain academic performance of students in China during the pandemic.

Methods

Data on college students from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies were used, and the final sample consisted of 728 students. Ordered probit regression models were estimated to explain students' relative performance in the semester when the in-person classes were suspended by using various student and household-related variables and characteristics. To compute missing values in selected variables, a multiple imputation technique was applied.

Results

The odds of poor academic performance declined with higher Internet use for academic purposes, but Internet use for entertainment increased the probability of being in the poor academic performance. College students who spent more time studying on college work were less likely to have poor academic performance.

Discussion

This study identified the factors (Internet use and study time) associated with academic performance among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results can be used to design policies to improve educational outcomes and to address educational inequalities.

Internet Addiction, Phubbing, Psychological Variables and Self-Perception of Mathematical Competence in College Students

Internet Addiction (IA) and phubbing are prevalent, disruptive behaviours among university students. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between IA and Phubbing with psychological variables (impulsiveness, self-esteem, and psychological distress), academic performance and self-perception of mathematical competence (SMC), as well as possible gender differences. Results showed (n = 715; Mean Age = 21.7) gender differences in lack of planning, emotional investment and somatisation and IA correlated positively with app addiction, mobile addiction, and psychopathology. A total of 26.3% of IA can be explained by a lack of self-control, time and performance management, mobile phone addiction, anxiety and psychological distress. Finally, 71% of students believe that the use of new technologies has worsened their SMC and this is correlated with impaired communication, obsession with mobile phones, IA (Total Phubbing Scale) and impulsiveness. Our results indicate the importance of taking into account psychological variables that affect the development of IA, phubbing, and SMC in the university population.

Internet Addiction in Socio-Demographic, Academic, and Psychological Profile of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Internet addiction is a serious problem among young adults that requires increased attention, especially at a time of distance learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between internet addiction and selected socio-demographic, study-related, and psychological characteristics of college students. Internet addiction was measured using the Internet Addiction Test both overall and in its individual subscales (Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, Lack of Control, and Neglect Social Life). The selected characteristics represented (1) socio-demographic profile (gender, age, residence, family), (2) academic profile (housing during the semester, form of study), and (3) psychological profile (depressive symptoms—the Patient Health Questionnaire, stress—the Perceived Stress Scale, anxiety symptoms—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Data collection took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at Czech and Slovak colleges, with 1,422 students from the Czech Republic and 1,677 students from Slovakia participating in the research. The analytical processes were carried out through descriptive analysis, non-parametric difference analysis, and multiple negative binomial regression. Mild internet addiction was found in 387 (27.2%) Czech and 452 (27.0%) Slovak students. Moderate internet addiction was identified in 49 (3.4%) students from the Czech Republic and in 100 (6.0%) students from Slovakia. Two (0.1%) Czech and three (0.2%) Slovak students reported severe internet addiction. Increased likelihood of internet addiction overall, as well as in most individual subscales, was found particularly among male students and students who lived away from home during the semester. Depressive symptoms and stress could also be considered significant predictors in both countries. These results are important for the development of effective strategies and prevention programs, as Internet addiction may be a serious problem in the future, given the current times. When assessing internet addiction among college students, it would also be appropriate to evaluate the individual internet addiction subscales and their specifics.

Internet Addiction, Symptoms of Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Stress Among Higher Education Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Poor mental health is a growing concern among young people during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of Internet addiction with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress in higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to examine these mental health problems in the context of study-related characteristics. The research sample consisted of 3,099 participants from the Czech Republic (CZ: 1,422) and Slovak Republic (SK: 1,677). The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to measure mental health problems. The analyses also included demographic data (gender and age) and study-related characteristics (form of study, degree of study, field of study, distance between college and home, and housing during the semester). Based on the results of frequency and descriptive analyses, the prevalence of mental health problems was high. The most serious levels of Internet addiction (IAT cut-off point ≥ 50), to which attention should be paid, were found in 3.5% of Czech and 6.2% of Slovak students. Using the standard cut-off point of GAD-7 ≥ 10, 14.1% of Czech and 11.6% of Slovak students were identified with anxiety symptoms. Regarding the PHQ-9 with the cut-off point ≥ 10, 23.4% of Czech and 19.1% of Slovak students had depressive symptoms, which should be addressed. Using the PSS cut-off point ≥ 27, 12.9% of Czech students and 9.1% of Slovak students perceived high stress. The quantile regression analysis showed that Internet addiction was positively associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress in all of the analyzed cases (p-value < 0.001). In terms of study-related characteristics, the binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for mental health problems in Czech and Slovak students were mainly full-time form of study and living away from home during the semester. Internet addiction, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress are issues that require increased attention, and professionals and policy-makers should implement interventions to effectively prevent and help students with psychological problems.

Personality Traits of Croatian University Students with Internet Addiction

Specific personality traits may predispose individuals to various forms of addictive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits of university students and Internet addiction (IA). A sample of 1051 university students was recruited from the largest university in Eastern Croatia. A structured anonymous questionnaire that included questions regarding students’ sociodemographic information and Internet usage patterns, the Young Internet Addiction Test and Big Five Inventory served as a research tool. The study revealed that 1.0% of the studied sample expressed severe IA while 24.6% of study participants expressed some signs of addiction. The IA was detected in 576 (80.0%) students who used the Internet mainly for social networking, in 30 (78.9%) students who mainly used it for online gaming, and in 153 (52.2%) students who mainly used it for university assignments (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were connected with IA in general (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during social networking (p < 0.001). Higher extraversion and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during Internet usage for university assignments (p = 0.025), while there were no significant associations between specific personality traits and addictive behavior during online gaming (p = 0.059). Personality traits must be taken into account while developing programs and implementing interventions for preventing IA in the university student population.

The Relationship of Internet Abusive Use with Academic Burnout and Academic Performance in Nursing Students

Materials and Methods

A total of 184 nursing students were recruited by simple random sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic information form, the Internet Abusive Use Questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey. Data were analyzed by the SPSS-18 software using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The abusive use of the Internet in nursing students was lower than the average level. There was a positive correlation between Internet abusive use and academic burnout (r = 0.305, p < 0.001), but there was a negative correlation between Internet abusive use and academic performance (r = −0.478, p < 0.001). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that Internet abusive use could predict the variance of academic burnout and academic performance.

Conclusions

Internet abusive use was correlated with increased academic burnout and decreased academic performance in nursing students. Educational interventions are required to increase students' awareness of the consequences of Internet abusive use.