The effect of Internet addiction on sleep quality in adolescents

Problem: This cross-sectional type study was conducted to investigate the effect of Internet addiction on sleep quality in adolescents. Methods: The study was conducted between September and December 2017 in three high schools located in the city center of Erzincan determined according to three socioeconomic levels. The population of the study was composed of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in the high schools determined. In the study, sample group selection was not made and all students, for whom parental permission and student permissions were obtained, were included in the study. A total of 1487 students were included in the study. Findings: The average age of adolescents who participated in the study was 16.16 ± 1.19, 60.6% were male, and 27.6% were 9th grader. Adolescents' Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF) total score average was 25.12 ± 9.14 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score average was 5.11 ± 3.02. Poor sleep quality was found in 61.6% of adolescents. A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between the YIAT total score and the PSQI total score of adolescents (p <.01). Conclusions: It was determined that adolescents have a moderate Internet addiction, poor sleep quality, and Internet addiction negatively affects sleep quality.