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Internet Use and Psychosomatic Symptoms among University Students: Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Gregor Stiglic

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK)

  • Ruth Masterson Creber

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, Division of Health Informatics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA)

  • Leona Cilar Budler

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

Background: Although the internet facilitates access to a wide range of knowledge and evidence, overuse among young people is associated with lower wellbeing and psychosomatic symptoms. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore the relationship between internet use, mental wellbeing, and psychosomatic symptoms among university students in Slovenia. Methods: We used correlation matrix plots to identify correlated symptoms and multivariate logistic regression to analyze the relationship between the time spent on the internet or computer and psychosomatic symptoms controlling for gender. Symptoms were measured using the Health Behavior of School Children scale. Results: Out of 464 students, the majority (64.7%, n = 300) were healthcare students and 35.3% ( n = 164) were computer science students. Among somatic symptoms, headaches were associated with more time spent on the computer (r = −0.17, p < 0.001) and were significantly more prevalent in computer science students compared to health science students (χ2(1) = 8.52, p = 0.004). Time spent using the internet for spare time activities was associated with lower nervousness (r = 0.15, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Computer science students reported more frequent psychological symptoms compared to health science students and less somatic symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregor Stiglic & Ruth Masterson Creber & Leona Cilar Budler, 2022. "Internet Use and Psychosomatic Symptoms among University Students: Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1774-:d:742063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teija Nuutinen & Eva Roos & Carola Ray & Jari Villberg & Raili Välimaa & Mette Rasmussen & Bjørn Holstein & Emmanuelle Godeau & Francois Beck & Damien Léger & Jorma Tynjälä, 2014. "Computer use, sleep duration and health symptoms: a cross-sectional study of 15-year olds in three countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 59(4), pages 619-628, August.
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