ArticleTrends in psychiatry and psychotherapy2023
Internet addiction and depressive symptoms: a dose-response effect mediated by levels of physical activity.
Article in Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among left-behind children: a moderated mediation model involving Internet Addiction.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Association Between Digital Addiction and Physical Activity in Korean Adults Across Age Groups: An Analysis of Community Health Survey Data.Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi · 2025Article
- Physical and emotional abuse with internet addiction and anxiety as a mediator and physical activity as a moderator.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Relationship between different levels of internet use and depressive tendencies in Chinese college students: the chain mediating effect based on physical activity and social adaptability.BMC psychology · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionThere are several negative impacts on the physical and mental health of people presenting internet addiction, including development of mood disorders, such as depression.
objectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the association between internet addiction and depressive symptoms, as well as to test the mediating role of physical activity in this association.
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students from three universities (one private and two public institutions) in southern Brazil. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21), internet addiction with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT-20), and physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - short version). Poisson regression and the Karlson-Holm-Breen mediation method were used for statistical analyses.
resultsWe observed a dose-response relationship between internet addiction and depressive symptoms. Levels of physical activity mediated the association between moderate internet addiction and depressive symptoms, accounting for 10.7% of the effect observed.
conclusionInternet addiction can be detrimental to individuals' health, contributing to development of depressive symptoms. Along with psychological and pharmacological therapies, prescription of physical activities is recommended.
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