Exploring Associations Between Problematic Internet Use and Physical Symptoms Associated With Mental Disorders Among Students.

INTRODUCTION

There is still insuffi cient data whether problematic internet use (PIU) is linked with physical symptoms associated with mental disorders, particularly among student demographics.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine whether problematic internet use (PIU) in adults is associated with physical symptoms linked to mental disorders.

METHODS

An anonymous online survey included the nine-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-9) to measure PIU and the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15) to measure physical symptoms associated with mental disorders. Depression symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms with the seven-item General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. The study included 207 students (mean age: 23 ± 3 years, 83.6% women).

RESULTS

Signifi cant correlations were identifi ed between PIUQ-9 scores and physical symptoms. Multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender, and PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, revealed associations between PIU and physical symptoms: extremity/joint pain (β = 0.161, p = 0.019), sexual dysfunction (β = 0.145, p = 0.032), chest pain (β = 0.135, p = 0.047), and fatigue (β = 0.214, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of PIU in young adults were associated with physical symptoms linked to mental disorders irrespective of age, sex, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

SOURCE: (Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2026; 28(2): 57-65)