Relationships between Problematic Internet Use, Physical Activity, and Mental Health in University Students

This study examined associations between problematic Internet use, video game addiction, physical activity, perceived physical fitness, and psychological distress in pre-service teachers. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 404 education students from the University of La Laguna using validated measures (CERI, Vela Test, IPAQ-short, IFIS, GHQ-28). Descriptive, correlational, group-comparison, and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Video game addiction prevalence was low (4%) and problematic Internet use was rare (1%), although 25.3% showed moderate-risk Internet use. Problematic Internet use was positively associated with psychological distress (r = .267, p < .001) and poorer physical health indicators. Perceived physical fitness was inversely associated with distress (r = –.248, p < .001) and, together with problematic Internet use, showed the strongest associations with clinically relevant distress (GHQ ≥ 13) in the logistic model. A focus group (n = 4) supported interpretations related to perceived loss of control, attentional fatigue, and social comparison.