The relationship between internet addiction and daytime sleepiness in nursing students: a moderated mediation model

Background: Internet addiction is highly correlated with daytime sleepiness, but the underlying mechanisms between the variables need to be further explored. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality as a mediating factor and depression as a moderating factor to further elucidate the potential risk factors between internet addiction and daytime sleepiness in nursing students. Method: A self-report survey was conducted among 1,578 nursing students from eight universities in China. The survey included measures of internet addiction, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and depression. Descriptive and correlation analysis of these variables was performed, and a moderated mediation model was constructed. Results: Internet addiction was positively correlated with sleepiness, sleep quality, and depression between nursing days. Sleep quality played a partial mediating role in the relationship between internet addiction and daytime sleepiness in nursing students, and depression strengthened the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality pathway in a moderated mediation model. Conclusion: This study further revealed the psychological mechanism of the relationship between internet addiction and sleepiness in nursing. Sleep quality was a mediating factor for this relationship, and depression may enhance the strength of the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality variables.