The association between problematic Internet use, eating disorder behaviors, and well-being among Palestinian university students

Abstract

Objectives The current study aimed to test the correlation between problematic Internet use, eating disorder behaviors, and well-being among Palestinian university students. Methods To examine the relationship between the study variables, a correlational study was conducted. The geographical representation of the study sample showed that 48.1% of participants were from urban populations, 48.1% were from rural villages, and 3.8% were from internally displaced people’s camps. Results Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between problematic Internet use, eating disorder behaviors, and well-being. Results showed that problematic Internet use was negatively correlated to well-being (r = − .32, p < .01), and positively correlated to eating disorder behaviors (r = .39, p < .01). The regression analysis found that problematic Internet use contributes statistically and significantly towards explaining variance in eating disorder behaviors (B = .46, SE = .08, β = .32). Moreover, well-being contributed in a way that was statistically significant towards explaining variance in eating disorders behaviors (B = − .39, SE = .09, β = − .25). Conclusion The results of our study support previous studies that indicated that problematic Internet use was significantly and positively correlated with eating disorder behaviors, while it was significantly and negatively correlated to well-being among Palestinian university students. Further studies testing this relationship will be crucial in developing interventions to both reduce problematic Internet use and eating disorder behaviors and increase well-being among university students.

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“…Nowadays, people pay a lot of heed to celebrities and influencers promoting unreasonable and unrealistic beauty standards, while spending hours and hours on social media. (33) This leads to dissatisfaction with one's own body, therefore, contributing to disordered eating behaviors. On the one hand, the internet may provide a haven for those unhappy with their body shape and size.…”

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“…Moreover, it has also been associated with poor academic outcomes among students, including lower academic grades, missed assignments, and academic disqualification [8]. In general, students with PIU reported poor health behaviors and can lead an unhealthy lifestyle [8][9][10][11]. Studies revealed that PIU significantly increased social anxiety [12], eating disorders [9,11], problematic thoughts [13], suicidal ideation and attempt, social isolation, subjective distress [9,10,14,15], and less healthprotective behaviors [9,11].…”

“…In general, students with PIU reported poor health behaviors and can lead an unhealthy lifestyle [8][9][10][11]. Studies revealed that PIU significantly increased social anxiety [12], eating disorders [9,11], problematic thoughts [13], suicidal ideation and attempt, social isolation, subjective distress [9,10,14,15], and less healthprotective behaviors [9,11].…”