Problematic internet and social-media use, stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviors among university students in Cyprus: a cross-sectional study

AI Summary

Problematic internet and social-media use were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms and increased suicidal behaviours among Cypriot university students.
Stressful life events correlated with greater depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviours, associations remaining in adjusted analyses.
Depressive symptoms associated with female gender, mild to moderate problematic internet and social-media use, and stressful life events; suicidal behaviours linked to male gender, non-Cypriot nationality, family history of mental illness, greater screen time, and depressive symptoms.

Discov Ment Health. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.1007/s44192-026-00465-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic social-media use have been associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among university students, with limited Mediterranean evidence. This study examined their associations with stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey conducted among undergraduates at the Cyprus University of Technology. Participants completed Internet Addiction Test-20 (IAT-20) to assess PIU risk, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to assess problematic social-media use, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess depressive symptoms, Life Events Scale for Students (LESS-36) to assess stressful life events, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) to assess suicidal behaviors. Correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses examined associations with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors.

RESULTS: 1002 students completed the survey (45% response rate); 67.7% were female. PIU risk was minimal (51.1%), mild (38.6%), and moderate (10.3%). BSMAS and LESS-36 scores correlated with depressive symptoms (ρ = 0.47; ρ = 0.30) and suicidal behaviors (ρ = 0.24; ρ = 0.31; all p < 0.001). Adjusted analyses showed depressive symptoms were associated with female gender, mild-moderate PIU, problematic social-media use, and stressful life events. Suicidal behaviors were associated with male gender, non-Cypriot nationality, family history of mental illness, screen time, mild-moderate PIU, stressful life events, and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: Problematic internet and social-media use and stressful life events were associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors; longitudinal research is needed to clarify temporal relationships.

PMID:42082838 | DOI:10.1007/s44192-026-00465-w

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