and mental health. Thus, this study set out to closely examine the relationships of Internet addiction with sleep quality, physical,

and mental health among college students in Taiwan. The exploration of these relationships is crucial, considering the growing

dependence on digital technologies among the youth.

It is noteworthy to mention that college students undergo a significant transition and gain a greater degree of autonomy

regarding their life choices and time management when compared to their previous educational phase in high school. This

pivotal stage in their lives exposes them to various stressors, including academic pressures and social expectations, which can

exacerbate their vulnerability to Internet addiction. In light of this increased autonomy, it has been observed that the prevalence

of Internet addiction has notably surged past 20% among this demographic, with ongoing research indicating a worrying

trend for future generations. Although prior research endeavors have rigorously explored the impact of Internet addiction

predominantly within the younger cohorts of children and adolescents, a notable gap in the research concerning college students

has been identified—a gap this comprehensive study seeks to address.

Numerous studies have consistently highlighted the alarmingly high incidence rates of Internet addiction amongst the

college student population in Taiwan, thus establishing a clear correlation with the quality of sleep experienced by this

demographic. Furthermore, the linkage between Internet addiction and the emergence of negative emotional states such as

anxiety, stress, and depression has been robustly established. These findings underscore the complex interplay between internet

usage patterns and the psychological well-being of individuals. College students grappling with the challenges of Internet

addiction are often ensnared in these mental health adversities, thereby underscoring the imperative need for a comprehensive

investigation into the underlying mechanisms that exacerbate the detrimental impact of Internet addiction.

Addressing these pressing concerns, recent studies have deliberately investigated the mediating role of sleep quality in the

relationship between Internet addiction and mental health. This study aims to delve into the multifaceted repercussions that

Internet addiction exacts on sleep quality, physical health, and mental health among the college student population.

A broad and detailed dataset encompassing variables such as the levels of Internet addiction, the quality of sleep, and

indicators pertinent to physical and mental health was amassed. Instruments of measurement included the meticulously adapted

Chinese rendition of the Internet Addiction Scale for assessing levels of Internet addiction, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality

Index for gauging sleep quality, and the General Health Questionnaire for evaluating the overall state of mental and physical health. This methodological approach was designed to ensure statistical validity and reliability, a minimum sample size of 384 participants was necessary for a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error in light of the expansive population of 1,140,089. college students in Taiwan, in the 2022 academic year as reported by authoritative sources such as the Bulletin of Educational

Psychology and the National Development Council’s website.

The study’s recruitment strategy targeted a diverse array of students from both public and private colleges within Taiwan,

aged 18–22 years, spanning the period from January 27, 2022, to May 10, 2023. In adherence to ensuring the confidentiality

and anonymity of the research data, the study’s protocol meticulously outlined the ethical rights accorded to the participants.

The initiation of data collection was predicated on the acquisition of written informed consent from the participants, who were

thoroughly informed of their right to voluntarily withdraw from the study at any juncture without facing any repercussions.

Utilizing independent sample t-tests, the study sought to discern differences across groups. To further enhance the

understanding of the underlying mechanisms, mediation models and regression analyses were employed, aiming to investigate

the mediating effects of sleep quality within the interplay between Internet addiction and the comprehensive outcomes

pertaining to physical and mental health.

Out of the initial sample of 565 participants, a total of 501 provided valid responses. This cohort comprised 324 female

participants (forming 65% of the sample) and 117 male participants (35% of the sample); with 113 (23%) enrolled in public

institutions and 388 (77%) in private institutions. The gender distribution within the sample provides an opportunity to explore

potential gender-specific patterns and outcomes related to Internet addiction and its effects. The distribution across academic

disciplines indicated that the majority (190 participants, equating to 38%) were pursuing degrees in health sciences, followed

by those in social sciences and humanities (136 participants, 27%), business and law (111 participants, 22%), and science

and engineering (64 participants, 13%), showcasing the highest representation being seniors (170 participants, 34%), then

sophomores (160 participants, 32%), juniors (94 participants, 19%), and freshmen (77 participants, 15%).

In the detailed analysis conducted by this research, it was observed that the prevalence of Internet addiction demonstrated

significant variations based on gender, but such variations were not evident when considering the type of educational institution,

the academic year of the students, or their chosen field of study. Conversely, when examining the overall physical and mental

health of the participants, no discernible differences were noted based on gender, the nature of the educational institution, or

the academic year. However, a distinct variation was identified in relation to the students’ major fields of study. This particular

finding suggests that the specific culture and the resources available within each academic discipline have a direct impact on

the well-being of the students, underscoring that the environment and support systems within these disciplines are integral in

shaping student health.

Furthermore, the research highlighted a strong and negative correlation between Internet addiction and the quality of sleep,

which is directly linked to deteriorating physical and mental health conditions among students. One of the key contributions

of this study is the revelation that the quality of sleep acts as a partial mediator in the intricate relationship between Internet

addiction and the overall health outcomes of the students. Therefore, it emphasizes the necessity for interventions designed to

mitigate Internet addiction to additionally emphasize strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of sleep among students.

However, the study is not without its limitations. The employment of a cross-sectional design, while facilitating the

collection of data at a single point in time, inherently restricts the ability to infer causality between the variables studied.

Primarily, the cross-sectional design of the research limits the scope for establishing causal inferences. As a result, there is

a pressing need for longitudinal studies to be undertaken in the future with the goal of uncovering the causal pathways and

examining the long-term effects of Internet addiction on sleep patterns and overall health. Such longitudinal approaches would

enable researchers to track changes and developments over time, providing a clearer picture of the progression and potential

reversibility of the impacts observed. In response to these limitations, educational institutions and healthcare providers

are consequently encouraged to adopt more holistic approaches in addressing the health concerns of students, taking into

consideration the impact of Internet addiction and the importance of sleep quality. Additionally, the call for future research to

involve larger and more diverse populations aims to extend the understanding of these issues and to improve the generalizability

of the findings, thereby contributing to more effective and targeted intervention strategies.