The aim of this study among primary school students was to examine factors associated with digital addiction and to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention program in reducing digital addiction and improving digital literacy. The research is a pre- and post-intervention study conducted with 4th-grade primary school students in a province in Central Türkiye, without a control group. The questionnaire form used in the study consists of questions about students’ socioeconomic characteristics, related factors, and questions from the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST) and the Digital Literacy Scale (DLS) for elementary school students. The median (min.-max.) age of the students in the study group was 10.0 (9.0–12.0) years, with a mean ± standard deviation of 10.2 ± 0.4. Male students had higher digital addiction scores than female students. Scores were higher among students whose mothers were illiterate or only primary school graduates compared to those whose mothers had university degrees; lower among those whose fathers had university degrees compared to those with high school degrees; and lower among those whose mothers or fathers were civil servants compared to those who were housewives, workers, or self-employed. Digital addiction scores were higher among children from families where income was lower than expenses. The most frequently used digital device was the smartphone, followed by television and tablets. The most frequently used applications were YouTube, mobile games, and streaming platforms. Among the students, 40.5% reported symptoms of long-term digital device use; the most common were eye, sleep, and back/shoulder pain. Students’ median (min.-max.) DAST scores decreased from 17.0 (10.0–50.0) before the training to 16.0 (10.0–42.0) after the training (p<0.001), with a small effect size (r=0.232). The median (min.-max.) DLS score before training was 17.0 (10.0-50.0), and after training it was 16.0 (10.0-42.0), showing a decrease with a small effect size (0.242). These results may indicate that school-based interventions can combat digital addiction and increase digital literacy. Intervention programs developed to combat digital addiction should take into account the community, culture, and sociodemographic characteristics of the working group. More detailed studies are needed to examine this issue more comprehensively.
Risky alcohol use is highly prevalent among university students and can lead to severe mental health complications. This study examined whether life satisfaction moderates the association between the personality trait of conscientiousness and anxiety among emerging adults who engage in risky alcohol use. The sample comprised 70 university students aged 18–29 who scored 3 or above on the Addiction Profile Index Risk Scanning Scale-Alcohol. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Addiction Profile Index Risk Scanning Scale-Alcohol, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–Short Form, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Moderation analysis (Model 1) demonstrated that conscientiousness was negatively associated with anxiety and that life satisfaction significantly moderated this relationship. Higher conscientiousness predicted lower anxiety at low and moderate levels of life satisfaction, whereas this association was attenuated and became non-significant at high levels of life satisfaction. These findings suggest that life satisfaction operates as a protective psychological resource and that the mental health effects of conscientiousness should be interpreted within a broader well-being framework, particularly in preventive efforts targeting risky alcohol use among university students.
Within the framework of Self-Regulation Theory (SRT), smartphone addiction (SPA) is considered a self-regulation failure, as it disrupts focus and task completion, leading to increased procrastination. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently explored. Given the distinct impacts of stress and anxiety on psychological and physiological processes, this study examines their mediating roles in the SPA-procrastination relationship. A total of 688 Turkish participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and General Procrastination Scale. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between SPA and stress, anxiety, and procrastination. Mediation analyses were performed with age and gender as covariates. The results indicate that stress significantly mediates the relationship between SPA and procrastination, whereas anxiety does not. Moreover, the relatively small indirect effect of stress suggests that the SPA-procrastination relationship may be explained not by a single mechanism but by contributions from multiple psychological processes. The study outlines a framework for understanding SPA through SRT, suggesting that interventions focused on stress management, attentional control, and time management may help reduce procrastination. Furthermore, the findings suggest that future research could benefit from employing multilevel models that account for the interactions among different psychological processes.
Van, Türkiye’s eastern border province, is a major transit corridor for irregular migrants and lies on the Balkan route for drug trafficking. This study describes the clinical and radiological features of body packer cases presenting to an emergency department in this critical border region. This retrospective case series included all 13 confirmed body packer patients who presented to the University of Health Sciences, Van Training and Research Hospital Emergency Department between January 2021 and November 2025. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and management were extracted from medical records. Eleven patients (84.6%) were refugees or irregular migrants; all 13 were brought by law enforcement, with no voluntary self-presentations. The median age was 33 years, and 12 were male. The concealed substances were predominantly methamphetamines (69.2%), followed by opioids (15.4%) and cocaine (15.4%). Seven patients (53.8%) were asymptomatic. CT imaging, used in all cases, showed a 100% detection rate. A key finding was the observation of two patients with rectal packet clustering and marked bladder distension, both reporting deliberate avoidance of defecation and urination—a behavioral cue for high-risk screening. The single female patient had multiluminal concealment (rectal and vaginal). No toxicity or mortality occurred; median hospital stay was 3 days. Body packing among migrants in Van is an under-recognized phenomenon at the intersection of migration, trafficking, and substance use vulnerability. The small number of detected cases, all law-enforcement-driven, suggests a significant underestimation of the true burden. The predominance of methamphetamines suggests a significant stimulant trafficking trend. Border-region emergency departments must implement risk-based screening strategies, integrate addiction services, and adopt trauma-informed care frameworks to address the complex needs of this vulnerable population.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between university students’ health literacy levels and their awareness of thirdhand smoke. Designed as a descriptive study, the research population comprised students from a state university in central Türkiye. Of the 798 students identified through a stratified sampling method, 787 were included in the study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics form, the Turkish Health Literacy–32 (THL-32) Scale, and the Thirdhand Smoke Awareness Scale (THSAS). Statistical analyses included t tests, ANOVA, and effect size calculations. Results showed that the mean THSAS score was 33.0 ± 9 and the mean THL-32 score was 31.8 ± 9.3. Awareness of thirdhand smoke was low, with only 10.9% of students reporting familiarity with the concept. Awareness scores were significantly higher among women, non-smokers, students aged 21 years or older, and those studying in health-related departments (p < .05). In conclusion, improving health literacy appears to be essential for enhancing students’ awareness of thirdhand smoke and reducing health risks associated with tobacco exposure.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare condition characterized by the leakage of air into the mediastinum without trauma, surgery, or iatrogenic causes. In this case, a 25-year-old male patient with no systemic disease presented with sudden onset of dyspnea and neck pain while skiing. Physical examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema, and thoracic computed tomography (CT) demonstrated mediastinal air collection, leading to the diagnosis of SPM. The patient was managed conservatively with oxygen and analgesic therapy, and his clinical condition remained stable. The medical history revealed that the patient was a chronic cannabis user and had consumed cannabis prior to the onset of symptoms. Based on these findings, the case was evaluated as cannabis-induced SPM. Cannabis use may increase intrathoracic pressure and cause alveolar rupture via the Macklin effect. Management of SPM is generally conservative; however, it is important to exclude serious underlying causes. This case highlights cannabis use as a potential risk factor for SPM and emphasizes the need to carefully assess it during differential diagnosis.
Considering that individuals can follow the effects of negative events affecting large masses, such as epidemics, natural disasters, and wars, through online environments, it is inevitable to investigate the effect of persistent follow-up of disturbing content on an individual’s burnout. This study investigated the effect of doomscrolling on social media burnout and the mediating roles of online vigilance and secondary traumatic stress. A total of 403 Turkish adults participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 29.92 years. Structural equation modeling was conducted to investigate the mediating roles of online vigilance and secondary traumatic stress in the relationship between doomscrolling and social media burnout. Online vigilance and secondary traumatic stress fully mediated the relationship between doomscrolling and social media burnout. The findings are discussed in the light of existing knowledge on doomscrolling, online vigilance, secondary traumatic stress, and social media burnout. It was observed that social media users’ inability to stop themselves from doomscrolling, their online vigilance towards social media, and the negative content they were exposed to mediated their secondary traumatic stress symptoms. As a result, individuals experienced social media burnout.
This study aimed to examine the associations between gambling behavior, depression, difficulties in emotion regulation, and impulsivity in young adults. The sample consisted of 310 individuals aged 18–35, including 105 participants who reported engaging in gambling activities and 205 non-gamblers. Data were collected using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale–Short Form (DERS-SF), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11). Independent samples chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis were conducted for the statistical analysis. The results indicated that gender, education level, marital status, monthly income level, the Goals subscale of the DERS, total BIS-11 score, and the Attentional and Motor Impulsivity subscales significantly predicted gambling behavior. Compared with non-gamblers, individuals who gambled exhibited significantly higher levels of total impulsivity, attentional impulsivity, and motor impulsivity, whereas scores on the Goals subscale of the DERS were significantly lower. Logistic regression analyses further demonstrated that attentional and motor impulsivity were significant predictors of gambling behavior, whereas depressive symptoms and other emotion regulation subscales did not show significant predictive value. Male gender emerged as a prominent risk factor for gambling behavior. The inclusion of young individuals from a non-clinical, community-based sample distinguishes this study from the existing literature. Within the context of the studied sample, the findings highlight the relevance of impulsive traits and difficulties in emotion regulation, particularly among individuals with lower income levels, in relation to gambling-related risk among young adults.
This study investigates protective factors that may mitigate smartphone addiction from a positive psychology perspective, emphasizing the role of self-regulatory strengths. Exploratory sequential mixed design was used in the study. In the qualitative phase, 13 university students with high smartphone use (one standard deviation above the mean) were selected from a sample of 84 and interviewed using semi-structured formats. Content analysis identified self-control, social relationships, physical activities, hobbies, and responsibilities as key factors in reducing smartphone use. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 612 students (427 females, 185 males) using the Smartphone Addiction Inventory, Multidimensional Self-Control Scale, Social Relationships Scale, and Responsibility Scale. Structural model analysis revealed that, unlike in the qualitative findings, social relationships did not significantly correlate with smartphone addiction. While responsibility was linked to addiction, this relationship overlapped considerably with self-control. Overall, self-control emerged as a robust protective factor, highlighting its central role in promoting healthier smartphone use behaviors.
This study aimed to determine the relationship between smoking cessation success predictions and motivation levels among healthcare personnel. Healthcare personnel play a crucial role in both preventing smoking initiation and promoting smoking cessation. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 267 actively smoking healthcare personnel working at a training and research hospital. The study identified a weak but statistically significant positive association between smoking cessation success predictions and motivation levels among healthcare personnel. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form, the Smoking Cessation Success Prediction Scale (SCSPS), and the Adult Motivation Scale (AMS). Descriptive statistics, correlation, and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS version 21. Differences in motivation levels were observed according to certain demographic and professional characteristics. These findings suggest that motivation may be related to healthcare professionals’ perceptions regarding smoking cessation success. In this context, facilitating access to professional smoking cessation services within institutions and including tobacco control topics in in-service training programs may support cessation efforts among healthcare personnel.
The aim of this study was to reduce the levels of multi-screen addiction by implementing the “Multi-Screen Addiction Reduction Education (MSARE)” program among university students. This study, designed using mixed research methods, employed a nested embedded design. Interviews were used for the qualitative aspect of the study, while a control group experimental design with pre- and post-tests was used for the quantitative aspect. A total of 86 volunteer students (44 experimental, 42 control) participated in the study. The Multi-Screen Addiction Scale was used for quantitative data collection, and a semi-structured interview form was used for the qualitative aspect. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS with techniques such as mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, and t-test. According to the findings, the MSARE program was found to reduce multi-screen addiction among university students. It was also found that the MSARE program increased university students’ awareness of multi-screen addiction. The MSARE program taught university students that they should engage in self-improvement activities to move away from multi-screen addiction. It is recommended that programs that empower individuals in the fight against addiction be expanded.
The symptomatic manifestations of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) represent a risk factor for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). With the increasing prevalence of digital gaming, the coexistence of ADHD and IGD has emerged as a significant mental health concern. This systematic review aims to evaluate case-control and experimental studies investigating the associations between ADHD and IGD. Guided by a research question structured within the PICOS framework, a search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, yielding 15 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies focused on adolescent and young adult samples, while five employed neuroimaging methods. Findings indicate that individuals diagnosed with ADHD demonstrate significantly higher prevalence and severity of IGD compared to healthy controls; similarly, individuals with IGD present more frequent and pronounced ADHD symptoms. Neuroimaging data reveal structural and functional alterations in prefrontal and temporal regions. Furthermore, factors such as impulsivity, sleep disturbances, negative parenting styles, and poor social adjustment appear to exacerbate the severity of this comorbidity. Intervention studies report lower treatment responsiveness among individuals with ADHD+IGD comorbidity. Overall, the findings highlight a strong bidirectional relationship between the two disorders, grounded in both neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms, and underscore the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive intervention strategies.
This study investigated the relationships between sociodemographic factors, family resilience, and religious coping among Turkish university students, a population vulnerable to sports betting addiction. The research, conducted with 587 students (ages 17–27), found that 30.5% of the participants had engaged in sports betting. Analyses showed that sports betting addiction differed significantly by gender, with men scoring higher than women. Other significant factors included having betting acquaintances, the importance of religion, betting frequency, and motivations. Both family resilience (r=−.136, p<.001) and positive religious coping (r=−0.154, p<.001) were negatively associated with addiction. Mediation analysis was a key finding, revealing that positive religious coping indirectly reduces addiction by increasing family resilience. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis identified betting frequency and motivations like making money and seeking excitement as the strongest predictors. These findings emphasize the importance of strong family bonds and positive religious beliefs as crucial protective factors against addiction. The results have important implications for prevention strategies that focus on strengthening family resilience and promoting religious coping methods among young people.
Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addiction that reduces an individual’s quality of life, is associated with feelings of loneliness, and is negatively influenced by object relations. This study aimed to examine the relationships between GD, object relations, loneliness, and quality of life. This research primarily seeks to understand the etiological foundations of GD by analyzing the direct and indirect effects of object relations-related factors on GD using structural equation modeling. The study was conducted with 443 participants living in Turkey, who were included in an online survey. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The indirect effect of object relations on GD via the mediating role of loneliness was found to be significant (β = .169, p < .001). Reality testing was found to have both a direct and indirect effect via the mediating role of loneliness on GD (β = .030, p < .05). The findings indicate that impairments in object relations increase feelings of loneliness and indirectly influence the severity of GD. The findings also highlight the importance of addressing loneliness and impaired reality testing in therapeutic interventions for GD. The results suggest that the current study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the psychodynamic and psychosocial factors associated with GD.
This study aims to determine the COVID-19 infection and vaccination statuses of individuals with substance use disorders. In this cross-sectional study, the population consisted of individuals with substance use disorders who were interviewed in Sultanbeyli district. Data were collected through a structured interview form, which included demographic information about the individual and their family, medical history, and addiction history. The COVID-19 infection and vaccination statuses of the individuals were verified using the system records. Nearly all of the individuals were male (n=264, 96.7%). Among the participants, 24.7% (n=38) reported a history of COVID-19 infection. Regarding the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, 57.8% (n=115) had received at least one dose of the vaccine. The proportion of fully vaccinated participants was 42.2% (n=84). Educational status, marital status, employment status, substance use status in the family, treatment attempts for substance use, age, age of substance initiation, and number of used substances were not found to be significantly associated with either having a COVID-19 infection or being fully vaccinated (p>0.05) The low rate of vaccine uptake highlights the need for targeted interventions, as well as further studies to increase understanding of factors that may affect vaccine uptake.
This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms in the association between teenage problematic social media usage and social anxiety, specifically emotion regulation difficulties. A total of 188 females and 125 males aged between 10 and 18 years participated in the study. Data were gathered between September 2022 and January 2023 using the convenience sampling method. The Social Media Addiction Scale Short Form for Adolescents (SMAS-SF), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents, and a demographic information form were given to the participants. Correlational, Hierarchical Regression, and multiple mediation analyses were conducted. Findings showed that difficulty in emotion regulation plays a significant mediating role in the association between problematic social media use and social anxiety. This link was mediated specifically by difficulties in emotional clarity and goal-directed behavior, as well as non-acceptance of emotional reactions. In addition, there was a significant direct effect of problematic social media use on social anxiety. Problematic social media use may harm emotional regulation, which could lead to a decline in emotional clarity, making it more difficult to accept and manage emotional reactions and cope with unpleasant emotional experiences. This, in turn, may exacerbate social anxiety.
University students may begin using substances like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs due to individual and environmental factors, such as stress, academic pressures, and increased responsibilities. Given the public health relevance of this issue and the fact that this is the first study of its kind in Kütahya, this study investigates the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and substance use among university students and associated factors. The sample size was calculated as 1,008 based on a 95% confidence level, a prevalence rate of 7.8%, and a margin of error of 1.5%. The study was completed with 1,043 participants. Results showed that 23.5% of participants smoked, while 20.9% consumed alcohol. The primary reason for starting smoking was alcohol consumption, and peer influence was the second most common reason for initiating alcohol use. A statistically significant difference was found between genders regarding smoking (p=0.030), with smoking being more common among males. A significant association was also observed between family alcohol consumption and alcohol use (p<0.001), with participants whose families consumed alcohol showing higher alcohol use rates. Although smoking was more prevalent among men (28.3%), it is noteworthy that a substantial proportion of women also smoked (21.8%). The family plays a critical role as a model, influencing individual behavior. Campus activities addressing addiction could strengthen social relationships and contribute to addiction prevention.
The current study aims to investigate the relationship between internet gaming disorder, internet addiction, psychological inflexibility, and hopelessness among university students. We employed a correlational survey model in the study. As data collection tools, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Short Form, Young Internet Addiction Test Short Form, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Personal Information Form were used. We conducted an unpaired t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. University students’ level of internet gaming disorder differs significantly according to gender, time of playing games during the week and the weekend, type of device preferred to play games, and type of the preferred game. The study findings also showed that internet gaming disorder was significantly related to internet addiction, psychological inflexibility, and hopelessness in the positive direction. There were also significant positive relations between internet addiction and psychological inflexibility, as well as hopelessness, and between psychological inflexibility and hopelessness. Lastly, internet addiction, psychological inflexibility, and hopelessness had a predictive effect on internet gaming disorder.
