Factors Affecting Problematic Internet Use: Rejectful Parental Attitudes During Childhood.

Studies examining the effects of perceived parental rejectful attitudes during childhood and emotional deprivation on problematic Internet use based on inter-factorial analysis are limited. The aim of this research is to examine the effects of the above-mentioned factors on problematic Internet use in people aged 18 years and over. This study used quantitative methods and convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 341 individuals aged 18 years and older. Data collection tools included a personal information form, perceived parental attitudes scale-child form, Young Internet addiction test short form, and Young schema scale short form-3. According to the results obtained in this study, there is a positive correlation between perceived rejectful parental attitudes in childhood, emotional deprivation, and problematic Internet use. Additionally, it was observed that perceived rejectful parental attitudes during childhood had a positive direct effect on problematic Internet use, and emotional deprivation played a positive and partial mediating role in this relationship. Finally, it has been observed that various sociodemographic and social skill factors have a preventive effect on emotional deprivation and problematic Internet use. Various recommendations were made regarding the results obtained at the end of this study.

"I've Got a Lot of Other Things I Do": The Nuances of Digital Engagement among Older People.

As Western society becomes increasingly digitally dependent and many older adults actively engage in the online world, understanding the experiences of those who largely do not use digital technology in their daily lives is crucial. Individual interviews were conducted (pre-pandemic) with 23 older adults who, based on self-identification, did not regularly use digital technology, exploring how their experiences as limited digital technology users may have impacted their daily lives. An iterative collaborative qualitative analysis demonstrated three main themes: internet concerns, frustrations with digital technology, and conflicting motivators to use digital technology. Findings suggest that addressing digital concerns and providing effective digital skill learning opportunities may encourage some older adults to become more digitally engaged. However, as people, including older adults, can be uninterested in using these technologies, organizations and institutions should work to offer ways to support people of all ages who are not engaged online.

The Population Typology of Conspiracy Beliefs About Sars-Cov-2 Origin in Russia Based on Predictive Modelling of COMET-G Study Data: Incoherent Attitude Indicator as a Predisposing Factor for Developing Mental Disturbances.

BACKGROUND: We examined the prevalence and spread of conspiracy beliefs about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic among representatives of the Russian population. Our study aimed to identify belief clusters and develop predictive models to understand the factors that influence conspiracy beliefs, particularly in the context of how they might evolve in response to socio-political events and cause mental disturbances, thus in relation to specific pathways of the infodemic and psychodemic waves that spread among vulnerable population groups. METHODS: Data respondents to the international COMET-G study living in Russia during pandemic period (n=7,777) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, K-means clustering, and various machine learning models, including gradient boosting. We identified distinct populations depending on predominant beliefs about COVID-19 pandemic origins, and applied game theory (Shapely additive explanations) to determine the most influential variables in predicting cluster membership. RESULTS: Four distinct belief clusters emerged, which we designate as Naturalists, Conspiracists, COVID-Sceptics, and the Incoherent Attitude groups. The Incoherent Attitude cluster constituted 20.8% of the sample, and was particularly associated with mental health signs such as sleep disturbances and the use of psychotropic medications. Internet use and mental health-related factors, as well as the respondents' education level, were key predictors of mental disturbances with mediating effects of the conspiracy views across all clusters. Conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 origin were highly fluid/variable, often being shaped by external sociopolitical factors rather than objective health data. CONCLUSIONS: The cluster with Incoherent Attitude regarding COVID-pandemic origins, which had an association with psychoticism, showed a greater predisposition for mental health problems, than did the Conspiracist, Naturalist and Sceptic clusters. We suppose that underlying psychoticism bears a relation to their sleep problems and resorting to use of psychotropic medications. These results emphasizes the global health need for implementing target-focused and selective strategies that address public misinformation and promote the adoption of critical thinking skills to mitigate the impact of conspiracy theories, considering the factors of education level and pre-existing mental disorders.

Association between Internet use and depression among older adults in China: the chain-mediating role of volunteer activity participation and friend network.

Background: Depression is a significant burden on individuals and society, which requires our attention and action. As the aging wave collides with digitalization, further research is needed to understand how internet use relates to depression in older adults. This study aimed to investigate whether volunteer activity participation and friend networks played a chain mediating role in this relationship from the perspective of the socioemotional selectivity theory. Method: This study's data was derived from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), comprising 5,558 samples. The study employed the OLS model for benchmark regression and multiple robust check methods, including altering variable settings and utilizing the instrumental variable model. In addition, the generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was used to analyze the mechanism. Result: Using the internet was significantly associated with reduced depression in older adults (coefficient = -0.9321, p < 0.001). The instrumental variable model confirmed this reduction (coefficient = -0.9200, p < 0.001). Moreover, we found that there were three indirect pathways of Internet use on depression among older adults: the mediating role of volunteer activity participation (all p-values <0.001), the mediating role of friend network (all p-values <0.001), and the chain mediating role of both factors (all p-values <0.001). Conclusion: Based on the research findings, we suggest mobilizing tech-savvy older adults to assist others in adopting digital technology and using the internet. We also suggest that the government could assist in creating older adult-friendly communities. Social workers could collaborate with tech-savvy older adults to organize various voluntary activities, encouraging more senior citizens to participate. In addition, we recommend that the community should consider the form of activities to help older adults make friends first rather than solely focusing on voluntary activities.

The relationship between self-control and internet gaming disorder and problematic social networking site use: the mediation effects of internet use motives.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the relationships between problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), internet use motives, and self-control among university students in China and Japan. Specifically, it investigated the indirect effects of self-control on IGD and PSNSU through various internet use motives, considering gender differences. Methods: A sample of 697 university students (465 females; 397 Chinese) was surveyed. Path analysis was conducted separately for male and female users to examine the relationships between self-control, internet use motives, IGD, and PSNSU. Results: The results indicated that self-control had significant indirect effects on IGD through enhancement (ß = 0.096**, p = 0.005), social (ß = -0.090**, p = 0.007), and conformity (ß = -0.117**, p = 0.001) motives, but these effects were observed only in the male group. Self-control also exhibited indirect effects on PSNSU through enhancement, social, coping, and conformity motives, with a greater impact observed on PSNSU than on IGD. Gender differences in mediating effects were identified, with males and females showing distinct patterns. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of understanding gender differences and motivational factors in problematic internet use. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how internet use motives influence IGD and PSNSU in different contexts.

The mediating role of social connectedness and negative cognitive emotion regulation in the association between problematic Internet use and depression among adolescents.

Introduction: While the relationship between adolescent problematic Internet use (PIU) and depression has been extensively researched, few studies have investigated the role and mechanisms of social connectedness (SC) in this context. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of social connectedness (SC) and cognitive emotion regulation (CER) in the relationship between PIU and depression. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 9,407 adolescents aged 12-18 years in China from September 2022 to March 2023. We employed Young's 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT-20), the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale (CER), and the DSM-5 Level-2 Depression Scale to assess mental health outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was also performed to examine the independent association between the measured variables and depression. Mediation analysis was then conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of social connectedness and cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between PIU and depression. Results: We found that the prevalence of PIU was 21.8%. Offline SC (indirect effect: 0.112, 95% CI: 0.104-0.121) and negative CER (indirect effect: 00.140, 95% CI: 0.129-0.152) mainly played a parallel mediating role in the relationship between PIU and depression, along with online SC (on_SC) (indirect effect: 0.007, 95% CI: 0.005-0.010). Discussion: These findings provide valuable insights into how PIU is associated with depression and highlight the importance of fostering real-life interpersonal interactions. However, the generalizability of this study's findings to other populations may be limited due to cultural factors.

"I'm still struggling with it, and it scares me": A qualitative analysis of older adults' experiences with digital health portals during and after COVID-19.

Objective: The scaling of digital health platforms, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has globally reshaped the delivery of healthcare services, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Ensuring equitable access, especially for digitally disadvantaged groups, is a critical concern, and this study explores older adults' perspectives on digital health platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and examines their strategies for coping with the general challenges of the digitalization of health. Methods: A total of 77 older adults (aged at least 65), including both internet users and non-users, participated in 11 focus group sessions in Slovenia between September and December 2022. Hybrid thematic analysis was used to develop an understanding of the challenges confronted by older adults in the digital health landscape. Results: Three key themes emerged from the focus group sessions, which highlight digital inequalities that impact access to digital health platforms and their services: the challenges of digitalized health services, coping with these challenges, and the outcomes of health service digitalization. The "digital health paradox" is evident, in which opportunities are provided for some while access is limited for those unwilling or unable to use digital health platforms. Proxy users, often family or friends, help bridge this gap. Conclusions: Ensuring the availability and viability of traditional health service access is crucial for empowering older adults to choose between digital health platforms and alternatives. Recognizing the importance of traditional approaches is vital, and healthcare providers and policymakers should prioritize inclusivity to ensure a diverse and equitable healthcare system for older adults and vulnerable populations.

Examining the Relationship Between Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Analyses of Mediators and Moderators.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the influence mechanism underlying the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults. METHODS: Data were derived from the 2018 wave of China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using Ordinary list squares (OLS) regression analysis. To address potential endogenous issues, we employed the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to explore the association between Internet use and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that Internet use can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and enhance mental health of older adults. Loneliness mediated the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms among older adults, while socioeconomic status (SES) moderated this relationship. Furthermore, the four purposes of Internet use, namely online chatting, information searching, recreational activities, consumption and investment, were negatively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults. CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the positive effects of Internet use on the mental health outcomes of older adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The proper use of the Internet possesses considerable promise for clinical rehabilitation, targeting the enhancement of the mental health outcomes of older adults during their later life.

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) among the undergraduate medical students.

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) is the fear and anxiety of being without a mobile phone. This study pioneers the investigation of nomophobia in Afghanistan using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), addressing a crucial gap in the field. We collected statistical data from 754 undergraduate medical students, comprising men (56.50 %) and women (43.50 %), and analyzed the dimensions of nomophobia. While results revealed that all but two participants were nomophobic, they identified three significant dimensions affecting the level of nomophobia among participants: (a) gender, (b) age, and (c) marital status. The study's contributions are precious, given the peculiarity of Afghan political turmoil, security, and human rights issues, especially for women. For example, the study's data collection was abruptly halted in December 2022 due to the Taliban regime's decision to make it illegal for women to enroll in universities as students. Therefore, while examining the characteristics of nomophobia across societies is imperative, it is also vital to investigate what is true of one society, Afghanistan, at one point in time and space. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to broaden participants' scope in future studies to better understand the prevalence of nomophobia across broader societal contexts and forces.

Online social support and problematic Internet Use-a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The internet is a crucial platform for individuals to gain social support, enhancing their well-being. However, research indicated that while online social support (OSS) has positive aspects, it also carries potential drawbacks and can lead to problematic Internet use (PIU). This study aims to examine the complex relationship between OSS and PIU. METHODS: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed across five English and three Chinese databases. A total of 1966 articles were initially screened by title, followed by abstract, and finally, full text. And the random-effects model was used to synthesize the included 31 studies. RESULTS: 31 studies were identified, encompassing a total sample of 22,375 participants. Meta-analysis revealed a moderate and significant correlation between OSS and PIU (r = 0.293), and it was significantly moderated by gender and the measurement methods of PIU. Notably, the relationship was more pronounced in studies with a higher proportion of female participants; when PIU was measured by problematic social media use, the relationship with OSS was stronger than studies that measured PIU by general problematic Internet use or problematic mobile phone use. CONCLUSION: These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the association between OSS and PIU, and carry implications for identifying and addressing the potential risks associated with social support provision in the digital realm.

The relationship between social frailty and cognitive impairment among older adults: the role of various types of internet use.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the role of internet use in the relationship between social frailty and cognitive function among Korean older adults. Methods: A nationally representative survey of community-dwelling older adults in Korea was used in the analysis (N = 8,639). Results: All types of internet use were significantly associated with cognitive impairment and played a significant role in the relationship between social frailty and cognitive impairment. The advantage of internet use for information searching (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.35-0.46) was the greatest for cognitive function, followed by internet use for instrumental use (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.53-0.66). Internet use for entertainment exhibited the greatest influence in the relationship between social frailty and cognitive impairment, with interpersonal communication ranking second in significance. Internet use regulates the relationship between social frailty and cognitive impairment in older adults. The influences of internet use vary depending on the type of online activity and the levels of social frailty. Discussion: This highlights the importance of considering various forms of internet use when developing non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate the impact of social frailty on cognitive decline.

The impact of family climate on problematic internet use: Findings from one nationwide study in China.

BACKGROUND: With the growing attention paid to problematic internet use (PIU), this study aims to i) explore the prevalence of PIU based on a nationally representative sample and ii) propose and validate the theoretical model that correlates family climate with PIU. METHODS: One national cross-sectional study was conducted with probability sampling and stratified sampling. Overall, 21,854 sample were included and analyzed. Validated measures of family climate, loneliness, and PIU was distributed and collected from June 2022 to August 2022. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of PIU in the sample population is approximately 30.86 %. The model findings showed that family communication and family health had indirect effects of -0.12 and - 0.05 on PIU by the mediating effects of loneliness. The indirect effect explained 80.0 % of the total effect of family communication on PIU and 38.5 % of family health on PIU, highlighting the dominance effects of path family communication and PIU via loneliness. Extended family type (-0.047, p = 0.050), low family income (income≤3000 group, -0.127, p < 0.001) were identified as protective factors against PIU, while not living with family members (0.034, p = 0.021) was identified as risk factors of PIU. LIMITATIONS: The nature of cross-sectional data have the limitation of preventing examining the casual relationships of PIU and the loneliness and family climate, in which future longitudinal study design is needed. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of PIU should be given adequate attention. Optimizing the family climate or family atmosphere by improving positive communication skills, providing family support and family health external resources can be served as effective strategies for controlling PIU.

Internet use, spatial variation and its determinants among reproductive age women in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The Internet is the preferred source of health information for retrieving relevant information. In Ethiopia, the Internet penetration rate is improving year to year, but it is still at a low level compared to the rest of the world and neighboring African countries. Due to a lack of adequate information, it is important to assess Internet use, spatial variation, and determinants of Internet use among reproductive-age group women in Ethiopia. METHOD: Secondary data from EDHS 2016 were used to analyze 15,683 women aged 15-49 years. Spatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS 10.7. The Bernoulli model was used by applying Kuldorff's methods using SaTScan 10.1.2 software to analyze the purely spatial clusters of Internet use. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was applied to estimate community variance to identify individual- and community-level factors associated with Internet use. All models were fitted in STATA version 17.0, and finally, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. RESULT: The magnitude of Internet use was 4.97% ± 95% CI (4.63-5.32). The overall average age of women was 24.21 ± 8.06 years, with the age range 15-24 years constituting the larger group (39.2%). Women with secondary and above education [AOR = 6.47; 95% CI (5.04, 8.31)], unmarried [AOR = 2.60; 95% CI (1.89, 3.56)], rich [AOR = 1.95; 95% CI (1.00, 3.80)], own a mobile phone [AOR = 3.74; 95% CI (2.75, 5.09)], media exposure [AOR = 2.63; 95% CI (2.03, 3.42)], and urban [AOR = 1.80; 95% CI (1.08, 3.01)] had higher odds of Internet use. The spatial variation in Internet use was found to be nonrandom (global Moran's I = 0.58, p value < 0.001). Fifty-seven primary clusters were identified that were located in Addis Ababa city with a relative likelihood of 10.24 and a log-likelihood ratio of 425.16. CONCLUSIONS: Internet use among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia is 4.97 and has significant spatial variation across the country. Both community- and individual-level factors affect Internet use in Ethiopia. Therefore, educating women, improving access to media, encouraging women to use family planning, and supporting household wealth could improve women's Internet use.

The effect of loneliness on interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates: a chain mediation role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination.

BACKGROUND: Loneliness was associated with interpersonal sensitivity, but the factors contributing to this relationship in nursing students remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates, with a specific focus on the mediating roles played by problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination. METHOD: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey at a university in China between November and December 2022. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), the Chinese Version of Short Form of Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM-CS), the 6-item short form of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-6), and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationships among loneliness, interpersonal sensitivity, problematic internet use, and bedtime procrastination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS software to examine the mediating role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity. RESULTS: Loneliness was positively related to interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates (ß = 0.44, P < 0.001). There was a significant chain mediation role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination in the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The study contributed to deepening the understanding of the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity and provided valuable insights into the improvement of interpersonal sensitivity in nursing undergraduates.

Health literacy and the use of digital tools in older patients with cancer and their younger counterparts: A multicenter, nationwide study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate health literacy (HL), assess the use of digital tools/sources, and identify factors associated with low or moderate HL in older (aged ≥65) and younger (18-64) patients with cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter study including patients with cancer was conducted in 26 centers in France. HL was assessed using the Functional, Communicative and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) scale. Factors associated with low/moderate HL (score

Clicks and checks: investigating the association between internet usage frequency and women's uptake of clinical breast examination in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: In resource-constrained settings, availability and access to mammography is a challenge. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends clinical breast examination (CBE) for women in such settings. Yet, CBE uptake remains low. We, therefore, aimed to contribute to the discourse on factors that influence women's screening practice by investigating the association between the frequency of internet use and women's uptake of CBE in Ghana. METHODS: This study was based on data from 15,013 women who participated in the 2022 Ghana demographic and health survey. We performed descriptive analysis, computed Pearson's chi-square test, and fitted multivariable logistic regression models. The findings from the regression model were presented in adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Only 18.39% of women 15-49 years had their breasts examined by a healthcare provider. About 38.22% of the total sample often used the internet. Compared to women who did not use the internet at all, those who often used it had twice the odds of getting screened (COR = 2.86; 95%CI: 2.62-3.13). The odds of CBE uptake remained significantly higher among those who often used the internet (AOR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.12-1.43) even after adjusting for the covariates. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CBE uptake is significantly high among women who frequently use the internet. This association persists even when considering other influential factors such as age, education level, marital status, and socioeconomic status. As such, it is imperative for the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service to recognize the potential of digital health interventions, including online health education campaigns and telehealth services, in reaching and engaging women to get their breast examined by a healthcare provider.

Mediating Effects of Information Access on Internet Use and Multidimensional Health Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: With the exacerbation of population aging, the health issues of middle-aged and older adults have increasingly become a focus of attention. The widespread use of the internet has created conditions for promoting the health of this demographic. However, little is known about the effects of information access in promoting the relationship between internet use and the health of middle-aged and older adults. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the relationship between internet use and multidimensional health in middle-aged and older adults, as well as the mediating effect of information access. Moreover, this study will explore the relationship between other dimensions of internet use (purposes and frequency) and health. METHODS: Data were sourced from the China General Social Survey conducted in 2018. Health outcomes, including self-rated, physical, and mental health, were assessed using the 5-level self-rated health scale, the 5-level basic activities of daily living scale, and the 5-level depression scale, respectively. The ordinal logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between internet use and health among middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, the Karlson-Holm-Breen decomposition method was used to examine the mediation effect of information access. To address endogeneity issues, the two-stage least squares approach was applied. RESULTS: In our sample, nearly half (n=3036, 46.3%) of the respondents use the internet. Regression analyses revealed that internet use was positively associated with self-rated health (odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% CI 1.39-1.74; P<.001), physical health (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.25-1.56; P<.001), and mental health (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.19-1.49; P<.001) of middle-aged and older adults. Various dimensions of internet use positively contribute to health. In addition, information access significantly mediated the relationship between internet use and self-rated health (ß=.28, 95% CI 0.23-0.32), physical health (ß=.40, 95% CI 0.35-0.45), and mental health (ß=.16, 95% CI 0.11-0.20). Furthermore, there were significant differences in the relationship between internet use and health among advantaged and disadvantaged groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that different dimensions of internet use are associated with better self-rated health, better physical health, and better mental health in middle-aged and older adults. Information access mediates the relationship between internet use and health. This result emphasizes the significance of promoting internet access as a means to enhance the health of middle-aged and older adults in China.

The Worldwide Prevalence of Internet Addiction among Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The internet helps us obtain necessary information, facilitates social communication, and provides access to entertainment content. The internet can also lead to the behavioral addictive condition termed internet addiction (IA) if used excessively. As active internet users, medical students are susceptible to IA, which is known to lead to depression and improper medical care delivery, poor academic performance, worse sleep quality, and undesirable financial issues. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess medical students' pooled IA prevalence. METHODS: The analysis included thirteen cross-sectional studies involving 4787 medical students. Cumulative, subgroup, and meta-regression meta-analyses were applied, using the random-effects model and the restricted maximum likelihood method. RESULTS: The cumulative meta-analysis revealed a rise in the proportion of IA from 0.08 to 0.29, with minor fluctuations between 2015 and 2022. The IA prevalence in lower-middle-income countries was approximately three times higher than in high-income ones. Age and gender were not associated with IA among medical students. CONCLUSIONS: The worldwide prevalence of IA was 0.29, with a 95% CI between 0.19 and 0.41. Considering negative IA implications for medical students' well-being, policymakers and all stakeholders should pay special attention to addressing IA within the medical student community.

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Social Media on Sleep Quality of High School Students in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones, internet access, and social media represent a new form of problematic behavior and can affect how teens sleep. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the prevalence and association of problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use with sleep quality in a non-probability sample of 190 high school students in Mexico. The internet-related experiences questionnaire (IREQ), the mobile-related experiences questionnaire (MREQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. RESULTS: The study revealed that 66% of participants exhibited some form of problematic internet use, primarily in the form of social media use; 68% had some form of problematic smartphone use, and 84% reported poor sleep quality. The PSQI score was most accurately predicted by problematic smartphone use (MREQ), followed by enrollment in the morning school shift, participation in sports, the father's education level, and knowledge that "smartphone use disturbs sleep", which together explained 23% of the variation in sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive smartphone use may negatively affect sleep quality in adolescents. We recommended that interventions be implemented to educate adolescents about appropriate and healthy use of technology, in parallel with the promotion of preventive sleep habits.

Beyond the Screen: A Comprehensive Analysis of Emotional Skills and Social Networking in French Young Adults.

(1) Background: This study investigates the influence of social networks on young adults, focusing on both positive and negative impacts. It considers problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), emotional intelligence, empathy, and the phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). (2) Methods: A comprehensive online survey was conducted with 442 participants aged 18 to 30 years that used various psychometric tools to assess emotional intelligence, empathy, internet and social media use, and FoMO. (3) Results: The study revealed that young adults display low competencies in emotional intelligence and empathy, with a tendency towards problematic internet and social media use. High FoMO scores were observed, correlating with negative internet use outcomes. Gender differences in these aspects were also explored. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest a complex interaction between social network use, emotional skills, and FoMO that impacts young adults' mental health and social behaviors. This study highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of these relationships and their implications for well-being and social interaction in the digital age.