Assessment of the relationship between multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue levels in healthy individuals aged 18 to 65

Introduction and Aim With the widespread use of digital devices, individuals are spending more time in front of screens, bringing multiple screen addiction—one of the behavioral addiction types—into focus. Simultaneous use of multiple digital devices may deplete cognitive resources, thereby affecting levels of mental fatigue. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue levels in healthy individuals within the 18-65 age range. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with individuals aged 18 to 65 who had no chronic diseases. Data were collected using the Multiple Screen Addiction Scale (MSAS) and the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). The relationships between participants' sociodemographic characteristics, screen usage habits, time spent on various digital devices (such as phones, computers, and tablets), and their levels of multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue were analyzed statistically. Results A significant and positive correlation was found between multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue in the study (r = 0.443; p < 0.001). The sub-dimensions of excessive screen time (r = 0.372; p < 0.001), compulsive behavior (r = 0.376; p < 0.001), and loss of control (r = 0.389; p < 0.001) were also significantly associated with mental fatigue. As age increased, both multiple screen addiction (r = -0.260; p < 0.001) and mental fatigue (r = -0.222; p < 0.001) scores decreased. Higher education levels were significantly associated with increased levels of multiple screen addiction (χ² = 6.094; p = 0.047) and mental fatigue (χ² = 8.277; p = 0.016). In terms of marital status, single individuals reported higher mental fatigue scores compared to married individuals (p = 0.006). Women exhibited significantly higher levels of mental fatigue than men (χ² = 3.087; p = 0.002). Additionally, the sensitivity to stress subscale of the mental fatigue scale showed a positive correlation with multiple screen addiction (r = 0.260; p < 0.001). Conclusion This study examined the relationship between multiple screen addiction and the level of mental fatigue among healthy individuals aged 18 to 65. The findings revealed a significant and positive correlation between multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue. While both variables decreased with increasing age, higher levels of education were associated with increased multiple screen addiction and mental fatigue. Single individuals reported higher mental fatigue scores compared to married individuals, and women reported higher scores than men. Increased daily screen time was also significantly associated with higher levels of both variables. Strong correlations among the sub-dimensions of the scale suggest that multiple screen addiction exhibits a holistic structure. These findings indicate that digital media usage habits can have a marked impact on individuals' mental health.