Internet addiction and daytime sleepiness among professionals in India: A web-based survey

The Prevalence and Correlates of Internet Addiction in India as Assessed by Young's Internet Addiction Test: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Earlier research on internet addiction (IA) in the adult population in India has concentrated on isolated prevalence surveys conducted nationwide. A systematic grasp of pooled prevalence necessitates a meta-level evaluation of all prior literature. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of IA and its correlates among adults in India.

Methods

We searched EBSCOhost, PubMed, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and ProQuest for the studies published from 1990 to 2022 and included studies using Young's Internet Addiction Test criteria (age range 18-40 years). The authors obtained a total of 358 non-duplicate records after a thorough search, and they found 10 pertinent epidemiological studies involving 12,286 adults.

Results

The pooled prevalence for mild, moderate, severe, and any level of IA was 36.33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.72%-42.13%), 18.04% (95% CI: 13.49%-23.08%), 0.88% (95% CI:0.50%-1.36%), and 58.34% (95% CI:49.34%-67.07%), respectively. The review of correlates suggested psychosocial factors like male gender, single-parent families, co-morbidities like depression, stress, anxiety, interpersonal issues, andmediating factors like loneliness.

Conclusions

Based on the synthesis of findings, this review underlines the common factors of IA and emphasizes the significance of psycho-social factors in IA; thus, to promote healthy use of technology and to manage IA, a multi-modal psychotherapeutic intervention module for mental health practitioners needs to be developed in line with this review.

Sleep Quality, Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Hygiene Among Youth in a Rural District in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Adequate sleep is crucial for youth cognitive function, academic performance, and mental health. However, various factors, including academic pressure, technology use, and socio-cultural norms can significantly impact sleep patterns, particularly in rural settings. This cross-sectional study assessed sleep quality, daytime sleepiness prevalence, and sleep hygiene practices among youth in a rural South Indian district. We also investigated factors associated with these sleep parameters in this understudied population Methods This was a cross-sectional study among 852 young subjects who were assessed with a self-reported proforma of socio-demographic details, behavioural factors, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Regression model was created to analyse the predictor for sleep quality and daytime sleepiness with respect to sociodemographic variables, behavioural factors and sleep hygiene practices. Results Our study revealed that 49.4% (n=421) of participants exhibited poor sleep quality, while 29.5% (n=251) reported abnormal daytime sleepiness. The most prevalent sleep hygiene practices were reading in bed (68.5%, n=584) and pre-bedtime eating (56.22%, n=479). Multivariate analysis indicated that sleep quality was significantly associated with accommodation type, with increased odds for those in private accommodation (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14-1.62) and hostels (AOR 3.79, 95% CI: 1.79-8.06). Additionally, eating in bed (AOR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.95) and pre-bedtime eating (AOR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07-1.88) were also associated with poor sleep quality. Factors significantly associated with daytime sleepiness included younger age (AOR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94), non-medical academic streams (AOR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.33-2.83), extensive internet usage (three or more hours) (AOR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.15-3.13), watching TV in bed (AOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06-1.99), writing (AOR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.06), and eating in bed (AOR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09-2.21). Conclusion This study reveals a significant incidence of poor sleep quality and daytime drowsiness among young individuals residing in rural areas of South India. The results of our study emphasize significant connections between sleep disturbances and several modifiable aspects, such as the kind of accommodation, eating habits, and use of technology. The impact of eating behaviours, both in bed and before bedtime, on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness underscores the importance of proper sleep hygiene education. Furthermore, the relationship between extensive internet usage and daytime sleepiness points to the growing influence of digital technology on youth sleep patterns. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive sleep health programs tailored to rural youth. Such initiatives should address environmental factors, promote healthy sleep hygiene practices, and provide guidance on balanced technology use. Additionally, the varying impact of academic streams on sleep parameters suggests that sleep health strategies may need to be customized for different educational contexts.

Problematic use of the Internet in low- and middle-income countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

People from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent large portions of the world population, often occupy less favorable living conditions, and typically suffer greater health risks, yet frequently receive little research and global health attention. The present study reviews emerging evidence on problematic use of the Internet (PUI) in LMICs prior/during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzed studies mainly focused on general properties of PUI in university students, problematic gaming in youth, or problematic use of social media in adults, registering higher prevalence estimates, as compared with earlier reports. Research mainly focused on initially affected regions and COVID-exposed populations. Overall, unfavorable circumstances, including poor social support, family relationships, and lifestyle tendencies/habits, may present potential risk for PUI in LMICs, likely exacerbated during the pandemic.

The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation and Problematic Internet Use in the Relationship Between Negative Affect and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: A Structural Equation Model

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to explore the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and problematic Internet use in the relationship between negative affect and excessive daytime sleepiness.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 664 Italian adults aged between 18 and 70 years (M = 32.13; SD = 11.71). Participants were asked to complete the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Compulsive Internet Use Scale-7, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess negative affect, emotion dysregulation, problematic internet use, and excessive daytime sleepiness, respectively.

RESULTS

According to our results there are significant associations between negative affect, emotion dysregulation, problematic Internet use, and daytime sleepiness. Moreover, the structural equation model showed good fit indices. Emotion dysregulation and problematic Internet use partially mediated the relationship between negative mood and excessive daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSION

By exploring the role of emotion dysregulation on the association between excessive daytime sleepiness and its possible predictors, our study might represent an important step toward the implementation of psychological intervention for reducing excessive daytime sleepiness. Emotion dysregulation appears to play a significant role in explaining the relationship between negative affect, problematic Internet use, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Thus, it should be considered a treatment target for reducing excessive daytime sleepiness.

Worry and insomnia as risk factors for depression during initial stages of COVID-19 pandemic in India

The biggest nationwide COVID-19 pandemic lockdown worldwide was enforced in India for an initial period of 21-days. Emerging evidence suggests that pandemic situations and associated lockdowns have an adverse impact on sleep and mental health. However, prediction of sleep health from sociodemographic characteristics and the public’s worry during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has not been extensively explored so far. It’s also unclear whether sleep outcomes mediate the association between worry and mental health during pandemic situations. A web-survey (N = 391) on sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 related worry, sleep health (insomnia and daytime sleepiness), and depression was conducted during the initial 21-days of the COVID-19 stringent lockdown in India. Multiple regression analyses showed that variables, including sex, age, income level, and worry score, contributed to the significant regression equation for insomnia but not for daytime sleepiness. Specifically, the female, younger, lower income, and highly worried populations contributed significantly more than the male, elderly, higher income, and less worried populations, respectively, to the prediction of insomnia. Mediation analyses showed that insomnia, but not daytime sleepiness, fully mediated the relationship between worry score and severity of depressive symptoms. We provide evidence that the female, younger, lower income, and worried populations may be at higher risk for insomnia during pandemic situations. Current evidence gives hope that improving sleep may reduce depressive symptoms during a pandemic situation. This underscores the importance of the implementation of effective public health policies in conjunction with strategical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burden of internet addiction, social anxiety and social phobia among University students, India

Background:

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental health disorder affecting adolescents often associated with comorbidities like depression, suicide ideation and substance abuse. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of social anxiety in adolescents and to explore its correlation with internet usage.

Methods:

An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 undergraduate students to screen for social anxiety and social phobia using a validated instrument, social interaction anxiety scale (SIAS). Young's internet addiction scale was used for measuring internet addiction. Respondents were categorised according to the scores obtained and later compared with their internet addiction behaviours.

Results:

Internet addiction was seen in 93.8% of respondents. The prevalence of SAD was estimated to be 15.3%. Internet addiction was positively correlated with social anxiety score (Pearson correlation = 0.994, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

More than 90% of participants had internet addiction, the majority had mild-moderate internet addiction. Social anxiety was present in more than one-third of the participants. SAD was found to be associated with internet addiction.