A new study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry highlights a complex interplay between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, internet addiction (IA), sleep disruption, and executive dysfunction in college students. The research, conducted with students in China, suggests that difficulties with attention and cognitive control, coupled with insomnia, can increase the risk of problematic internet use. Importantly, the study also points to physical activity as a potential mitigating factor.
ADHD, Internet Addiction, and Cognitive Function
The study defines ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and difficulties with executive function – the cognitive processes responsible for planning, organization, and impulse control. Internet addiction, increasingly recognized as a public health concern, is characterized by compulsive internet use leading to negative consequences. Researchers found a statistically significant association between ADHD symptoms and IA, but emphasize that the cross-sectional nature of the study prevents establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Executive dysfunction, a common feature of ADHD, appears to be a key link in this relationship. Deficits in executive function can impair an individual’s ability to regulate behavior and resist impulses, potentially contributing to excessive internet use. The study also identifies insomnia as a mediating factor, suggesting that sleep disturbances can exacerbate executive dysfunction and further increase the risk of IA. This relationship may be bidirectional, with problematic internet use itself contributing to poorer sleep quality.
The Role of Physical Activity
Previous research has indicated that physical activity can have a positive impact on both mental health and cognitive function. The current study builds on this by investigating whether exercise can help reduce the risk of internet addiction, particularly in individuals with ADHD symptoms. Researchers categorized participants based on their levels of physical activity – high, moderate, and low – and compared them to an inactive group.
The findings suggest that moderate and high levels of physical activity were associated with lower internet addiction scores. This association was also mediated by improvements in sleep quality and executive function. Interestingly, low levels of physical activity did not show a significant association with IA. The study acknowledges that other factors, such as stress and academic pressure, may also play a role and were not directly measured.
Study Methodology and Participant Details
The study involved 1,925 college students from six universities in Hunan, China, surveyed in June 2024. Participants completed questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), executive dysfunction using the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale, Short Form (BDEFS-SF), and insomnia using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Internet addiction was measured using the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale, Revision (CIAS-R). Information on physical activity levels, including duration, frequency, and type, was also collected.
A score above 9 on the ASRS indicated clinical-level ADHD symptoms, while scores of 6 or higher on the AIS suggested an increased risk of insomnia. A CIAS-R score above 53 was used to identify clinically significant internet addiction symptoms. Participants were categorized into physical activity groups, and statistical analyses, including structural equation modeling, were used to assess the relationships between the variables.
Key Findings and Statistical Significance
Approximately 14 percent of the participants met the criteria for internet addiction symptoms, and 12.5 percent met the criteria for ADHD symptoms. Students with internet addiction symptoms exhibited higher scores on the ASRS, BDEFS-SF, and AIS, indicating more severe ADHD symptoms, executive dysfunction, and insomnia. They also reported lower exercise intensity, less frequent exercise habits, and shorter exercise durations.
Statistical analysis revealed that ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with internet addiction symptoms, and that this relationship was partially explained by the mediating effects of executive dysfunction and insomnia. The study reported a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -2.33 (95% Confidence Interval: -3.00 to -1.66) indicating a substantial improvement in internet addiction scores with exercise intervention. Moderate physical activity was negatively associated with IA symptoms, and this association was stronger with higher levels of physical activity.
Implications and Future Research
The study’s findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing internet addiction in college students may benefit from addressing underlying issues such as sleep disturbances, executive dysfunction, and physical inactivity. Promoting regular exercise could be a valuable component of such interventions, potentially improving sleep quality and cognitive function. However, the researchers caution that the cross-sectional design of the study limits the ability to draw causal conclusions.
The study acknowledges limitations including reliance on self-reported data, a regional sample from Chinese universities, and the inability to establish temporal sequencing. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and interventional trials to confirm these findings and develop evidence-based clinical recommendations. Further investigation is also needed to explore the role of other factors, such as stress, mood, and academic pressure, in the relationship between ADHD, internet addiction, and lifestyle factors. , News Medical reported on this study, highlighting the potential benefits of exercise.
