Influence of internet use on the quality of sleep of university students

Introduction: Internet addiction has been the focus of attention of some researchers due to its negative implications on both individuals and families. A study conducted by the Institute for Applied Psychology (ISPA) mentions some of the consequences of internet addiction on students, namely their academic performance and success, as well as their interpersonal relationships and sleep disorders [1]. Objectives: To identify the sociodemographic variables that influence sleep quality of students; Identify academic variables influencing sleep quality of students; to analyse the influence of the variable addition to internet in sleep quality of students. Methods: quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study involving a sample of 511 students attending higher education of the country's central region, with the highest prevalence in the age group of 17-21 years. Data collection includes the questionnaire of demographic data and academic context, the Internet will Addition Test (IAT) to Young [2] and Quality Questionnaire Pittsburgh Sleep h, validated by Duarte [3]. Results: Sample is mostly female (78.7%), prevailing students in the age group of 17-21 years (65.8%), living in urban areas (50.9%). Most (56.4%) attended the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 36.0% are in the 1st year of the course and 22.1% the 2nd year; 59.7% live with colleagues during school; 84.5% have a single room. The male students, older (22-24 years) living in urban areas, from the area of science, attend the 4th year of the course, reside with relatives, are those who manifest worse sleep quality. With this study we notice that young students with higher internet addiction are the ones who display greater alterations in sleep quality and patterns (less sleep, more latency, less sleep efficacy and insomnia). We also verified that there is a negative and significant correlation between internet addiction and daily sleep duration. Beranuy et al [4] observed a positive relationship with sleep disorders and a negative relationship with psychological well-being, showing that sleep quality assumes a predictive and significant value for internet abuse. These results corroborate those reported by Young et al [2] where Internet dependence is shown to be associated with altered sleep patterns. In a similar fashion, Griffiths, M. D., & Szabo, A. [5] concluded that sleep duration was fewer in students with internet addiction behaviours, and also that excessive internet usage associates with an excessive daytime drowsiness. Conclusion: A good sleep hygiene is vital for university students’ success, heatlh and well-being, and considering that there is a significant negative correlation between the addition to the Internet and the sleep quality of higher education students, an intervention will be required to minimize the negative consequences of Internet addiction on the students’ quality of sleep.