Investigating the Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and Sleep Quality in Adolescents

Objective: This study aimed to assess the digital game addiction and sleep quality in adolescents and examine the relationship between them. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 312 students from three high schools located in a district center in the Eastern Black Sea Region, who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the descriptive information form, the digital game addiction scale, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Results: The mean age of the participants was 15.99 +/- 0.85 years. Of the participants, 78.5% played digital games on computers, mobile phones, tablets, or game rooms. The mean score of the participants on the digital game addiction scale was 12.46 +/- 5.57; 16.3% were game addicts. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index mean score was 4.72 +/- 2.53, with a score range of 0-13; 34.9% had poor sleep quality. Conclusion: In conclusion, a positive, low-level, statistically significant relationship was found between the digital game addiction scale and Pittsburgh sleep quality index scores (r=0.157, p <= 0.001). As the digital game addiction scores increase in adolescents, their sleep quality scores also increase. Game addiction and sleep-related problems in adolescents can negatively affect their physical and psychological health and academic success. Adequate supervision and protective measures are required to reduce the problems faced by adolescents when using digital technology.