Correlation Between Internet Addiction and Physical Activity Among Yogyakarta State University Students: The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality

Abstract

Internet addiction has become an increasingly prevalent concern among university students, adversely affecting various aspects of their quality of life. Overusing the internet is associated with sedentary behaviour, poor sleep quality and less physical activity, which could adversely impact students’ health in general. The present study was conducted to investigate the correlation of internet addiction with physical activity in Yogyakarta State University’s students because of sleep quality mediation. Quantitative cross-sectional design was used with purposive sampling of 210 respondents. Standardized questionnaires were administered, including the Internet Addiction (IA), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Path analysis and the Sobel test were used to analyse data from a mediation view. According to the results, there is a significant negative correlation between internet addiction and physical activity (t = -8.225, p < 0.05) and between internet addiction and sleep quality (t = -7.86, p < 0.05). Physical activity was highly positively associated with sleep quality (t = 8.34, p < 0.05). Additionally, the Sobel test (Z = -8.31, p < 0.05) showed that the mediating role of sleep quality in the association between internet addiction and physical activity was significant. These findings highlight the need for interventions in healthy use and sleep behaviour designed to enhance physical activity among students and overall well-being.