MAPPING EVIDENCE AND PERSPECTIVES FOR NURSING ON PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SCOPE REVIEW
Abstract
Problematic Internet Use manifests itself in the context of a rapidly digitizing society, evidenced by the near-universalization of access. However, this expansion poses a risk to public health, with PUI reaching critical proportions among university students, registering a prevalence of up to 31.0%, signaling an established crisis. To map the available scientific evidence on problematic or excessive internet use, identifying its prevalence, associated factors, and the main consequences for the health and academic performance of university students. Scoping review conducted according to JBI recommendations and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, under the identifier DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/6MS8E. The strategy used the mnemonic PCC (P: university students; C: problematic or excessive internet use; and C: mental health and academic performance). The initial search identified 3,254 studies, with 222 duplicates removed. After screening titles and abstracts, 2,971 did not meet the objective, and after full reading, 11 did not answer the research question and 19 were inaccessible, totaling 31 included studies. The risk profile consists of young university students, with greater vulnerability in females. Problematic internet use (PIU) is considered a bidirectional phenomenon strongly associated with psychological factors (anxiety, depression, and stress), resulting in academic impairment, sleep disorders, and psychological distress. Therefore, strategies such as CBT-ID and psychoeducation are recommended for the prevention and management of problematic internet use. The literature is recent and cross-sectional, predominantly from Asian and African countries, indicating a scarcity of national studies.
Author Biographies
Bachelor of Nursing from UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Master’s Degree Candidate in Public Health at the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Bachelor of Nursing from UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Ph.D. Candidate in Nutritional Sciences at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
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