MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A COMPARISON BETWEEN UNDERGRADUATES WITH AND WITHOUT INTERNET ADDICTION

Abstract

Internet addiction (IA) is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors related to internet use that result in impairment or distress in daily functioning. University students are considered particularly vulnerable to IA due to their extensive reliance on digital technologies for academic activities, social interaction, and entertainment. This study aimed to compare psychological symptoms, eating attitudes, and physical activity levels between university students with and without internet addiction. A total of 110 undergraduate students were recruited and categorized into two groups according to their Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scores: the internet addiction group (IAT score ≥ 50) and the non-addiction group (IAT score < 50). All participants completed self-administered questionnaires, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Group differences were analyzed using the independent samples t-test for normally distributed data and the Mann–Whitney U test for non-normally distributed data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The findings demonstrated that participants in the internet addiction group had significantly higher scores in all three subscales of the DASS-21 and the EAT-26 compared with those in the non-addiction group (p < 0.001). In addition, the internet addiction group exhibited significantly lower physical activity levels, as measured by GPAQ scores (p = 0.022). These findings suggest that internet addiction is associated with poorer psychologicalwell-being, disordered eating attitudes, and reduced physical activity among university students. Addressing these interconnected factors through comprehensive mental health and behavioral interventions may help reduce the negative consequences of internet addiction and promote overall well-being.