Insomnia and social network use among secondary school female students in Abha Sector

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction and other problematic internet use behaviors can dramatically affect sleep hygiene, resulting in sleeplessness and other sleep disturbances. Excess internet and social media use are mainly associated with insomnia and increased time spent on the internet leads to the important disturbance of sleep. One psychophysical mechanism that could help to clarify the negative influence of problematic internet use on sleeping habits can be that nighttime computer use causes a state of high arousal, therefore, interfering with the soothing procedures that are essential for sleep. Sleep disturbance may result in stress which in turn affects student’s scholastic performance. Aim: The current study aimed to assess prevalence of internet addiction with its association with insomnia and scholastic achievement among secondary school females in Abha city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A correlational cross-sectional approach was applied for the current research. The research targeted all secondary school female students in Abha city. A multistage cluster sample was applied by selecting schools and students from the Directorate of Education in Abha. Self-administered questionnaire sheets were distributed to students in their classes. The questionnaire covered students’ socio-demographic data like age, grade, parents’ education, work, and living conditions. Also, the tool included scales for internet addiction and perceived stress. Scholastic performance was measured by grades in the last year with absenteeism. Results: The study included 3 50 female students whose ages ranged from 15 to 22 years old with mean age of 16.9 ± 1.1 years. Regarding father’s education, 214 students’ fathers were university graduated (61.5%) and 108 (31%) had secondary level of education. Regarding frequency of using social internet, 85.3% of the students reported usual use. Also, 83.9% of the students spend more than three hours daily using social networks. Internet addiction was reported among more than one third of the sampled students. Conclusions & recommendations: In conclusion, the study revealed that more internet addiction was a significant problem among secondary school female students and affected their scholastic achievement and their life due to high stress. Key words: Internet addiction, students. Secondary school, stress, school performance