An investigation of multidimensional digital stress levels among students of the faculty of sports sciences

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the Multidimensional Digital Stress Levels of students at İnönü University Faculty of Sports Sciences. Material and Method: The population of the study consisted of 519 students enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year in the departments of Coaching Education, Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Physical Education and Sports Education for People with Disabilities, and Sports Management at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Inönü University, Malatya. Within the scope of quantitative research methods, a descriptive survey model was used in the study. Data were obtained using a personal information form containing demographic variables and the Multidimensional Digital Stress Scale as measurement tools. Findings: Among students in the Faculty of Sports Sciences, there were significant differences in multidimensional digital stress levels based on age (in the subdimensions of accessibility stress and online attention), average daily time spent online (in the subdimensions of accessibility stress, online attention sub-dimensions, and total score), general stress status (accessibility stress, approval anxiety, connection load sub-dimensions, and total score), and primary purpose of internet use (accessibility stress, approval anxiety, connection load, online attention sub-dimensions, and total score). No significant differences were found based on gender, department, grade level, and active sports participation status. Result: This study shows that the rapid advancement of technology has become a source of stress for participants by increasing their accessibility stress, approval anxiety, fear of missing out, connection overload, and online attention pressure. The conveniences offered by this digital age, along with the challenges it brings, have been shown to have a significant impact on participants' stress levels.