Internet addiction, depression and sleep quality among Makerere University students

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between: internet addiction and depression among students of Makerere university; internet addiction and sleep quality among students of Makerere university; depression and sleep quality among students of Makerere university; and lastly, internet addiction, depression, and sleep quality among students of Makerere university. A correlational, questionnaire-based study was carried out in Makerere university and a total random sample of 385 students from all colleges enrolled during the time of the study were sampled. Internet addiction, depression and sleep quality in these students was assessed using Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Beck Depression Index (BDI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between internet addiction and depression among the students (r = .205, p < .001). There was also a significant positive correlation between depression and sleep quality among the students (r = .334, p < .001). Similarly, there was a significant positive correlation between internet addiction and sleep quality among the students (r = .268, p < .001). With depression as the mediator (direct effect: b = 0.0452; indirect effect: b = 0.0093) at 95% confidence interval, analysis showed that the proportion of indirect effect of internet addiction on sleep quality significantly mediated by depression was 17.1%. The study concluded a positive significant correlation between Internet addiction and depression. There was also a positive significant association between depression and sleep quality. Also, there was a positive significant association between Internet addiction and sleep quality. Depression significantly mediated the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality. Thus, internet addiction and depressive symptoms should also be assessed during counseling sessions for sleep quality among undergraduate students.