The bidirectional impact of internet addiction on sleep quality: A vicious circle?

Abstract

Internet addiction (IA) is an emerging disorder that refers to the compulsive need for the internet. IA, particularly prevalent among adolescents, has garnered increasing attention as the internet becomes more pervasive than before. Disrupted sleep quality is a significant concern among the array of detrimental outcomes associated with IA. However, the intricate interplay between IA and sleep quality needs to be more adequately understood, including the potential mediators and the bidirectional relationship between them. This review aims to establish a model to investigate the interaction between IA and sleep quality. The review, to achieve this aim, embarks on a multi-faceted analysis. First, it scrutinizes the neurobiological mechanisms through which IA influences sleep quality. Secondly, it explores the role of specific comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, as potential mediators mediating the impact of IA on sleep quality. Finally, by summarizing previous studies, this review found a circular correlation between IA and sleep quality. In conclusion, the synthesized findings underscore the intricate connections at play. These revelations collectively highlight the bidirectional and complex nature of the IA-sleep quality relationship. For future research, the establishment of the vicious circle is conducive to the research of new therapies.