''Mental Well-Being at Risk”: Are Internet Usage and Impulsivity Warning Signs?

Abstract

Excessive internet usage negatively affects the mental well-being of university students, particularly when coupled with poor self-control and impulsivity, disrupting inner harmony. While this relationship has been empirically tested in other cultural contexts, related discourse in Sri Lanka remains limited. This cross-sectional survey examined the impact of internet use and impulsivity on the mental well-being of undergraduates at state and private universities in Sri Lanka’s Western Province. The survey, disseminated via WhatsApp and Instagram, employed Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Data from 260 participants were cleaned and analysed using SPSS (version 25). A two-way ANOVA revealed that both internet use and impulsivity had significant, independent negative effects on mental well-being, though their interaction was not significant. These findings underscore a critical concern in higher education and call for universities to promote healthy digital habits. It is recommended that institutions implement evidence-based support systems to encourage balanced internet use that fosters both academic performance and psychological well-being.