The link between problematic internet use, problematic gaming, and psychological distress: does sleep quality matter?

IntroductionThis study aimed to examine the mediating role of sleep quality in the association of problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic gaming with psychological distress among college students in China.MethodsData of 1040 full-time students from multiple colleges in China were examined. Respondents were asked about their internet use and gaming behaviors, sleep quality, psychological distress, and sociodemographic characteristics. The mediating role of sleep quality in the PIU- and problematic gaming-psychological distress link was examined respectively.ResultsPIU was associated with decreased sleep quality (r=.32, p<.001) and increased psychological distress (r=.46, p<.001). Problematic gaming was also associated with decreased sleep quality (r=.22, p<.001) and increased psychological distress (r=.46, p<.001). Sleep quality accounted for 23.5% of the indirect effect of PIU on psychological distress, and 17.9% of the indirect effect of problematic gaming on psychological distress.ConclusionsSleep quality had a meaningful mediating effect on the PIU-psychological distress link, but only exerted a small mediating effect on the problematic gaming-psychological distress link. In addition to promoting healthy internet usage, strategies aimed at mitigating the negative effect of excessive internet use on psychological health might benefit from those aimed at improving sleep quality.

Automated summary

The study found that sleep quality played a significant mediating role in the relationship between problematic internet use and psychological distress, while its mediating effect in the association between problematic gaming and psychological distress was relatively small. Strategies aimed at improving sleep quality in addition to promoting healthy internet usage may help mitigate the negative impact of excessive internet use on psychological health.