ArticleBMC psychiatry2026
Risk factors for Problematic Internet Use (PIU) among Polish students: the role of loneliness, depression, and health behaviours in a predictive analysis.
Article in BMC psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundIn recent years, there has been a revolution in lifestyle and health behaviour. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between PIU and loneliness, depressive symptoms and health behaviours in a sample of students in Poland.
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,008 Polish students (336 students of medical/health sciences, 336 students of humanities/social sciences, and 336 students of technical faculties). There were 510 women (50.6%) and 498 men (49.4%). The Problematic Internet Use Test (PIU), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), the Beck Depression Inventory I (BDI I), and the Health-Related Behaviour Inventory (HBI) were used.
resultsProblematic Internet use was observed in 10.2% of individuals. In DJGLS, the respondents scored an average of 25.63 points (out of 55 possible), in BDI I, 28.57% of the participants exceeded the cut-off point of the BDI I test, which may suggest depression, and 53.08% of the respondents showed a low level of health behaviour. Statistically significant correlations were found between PIU and loneliness (rho = 0.226; p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (rho = 0.091; p = 0.004), overall HBI score (rho = −0.134; p < 0.001) and HBI subcategories: positive mental attitude (rho = −0.161; p < 0.001), healthy eating habits (rho = −0.089; p = 0.005), preventive measures (rho = −0.086; p = 0.006) and health practices (rho = −0.086; p = 0.007). Linear regression showed that loneliness (r = 0.239; p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (r = 0.066; p = 0.037), and positive mental attitude (r = 0.079; p = 0.084) were predictors of PIU.
conclusionsThe study’s findings indicate that PIU is associated with increases in loneliness, depressive symptoms, and a decrease in health behaviours. In addition, loneliness, depressive symptoms and positive mental attitude were found to be predictors of PIU. These variables should be investigated in prospective studies and included in PIU prevention. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
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