Keywords
digital devices
academic success
higher education
Portugal
university students
How to Cite
Abstract
Portuguese higher education faces increasing challenges related to student mental health, exacerbated by post-pandemic digital hyperconnectivity. This study aimed to examine the relationships between mental health indicators, digital device use patterns, and academic success among Portuguese university students. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 104 students from the Instituto Superior de Ciências da Administração e da Informação. Sleep quality and duration, physical activity frequency, digital device use patterns, academic fatigue, and academic performance were assessed using a structured online survey. Significant correlations were found between sleep quality and academic average, as well as between excessive digital device use and increased classroom fatigue. Cluster analysis identified three distinct student profiles: “balanced” (38%), “overloaded” (45%), and “dysregulated” (17%). Working students reported poorer sleep quality and higher levels of fatigue. Physical activity was found to negatively moderate the relationship between digital device use and academic fatigue, indicating a buffering effect. These findings suggest that integrated interventions focusing on sleep hygiene, digital use management, and physical activity promotion may contribute to improving both mental health and academic outcomes in Portuguese higher education.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Débora Pitarma Alves, Maria Tavares Mendes de Melo Sereno, Hugo Miguel Carvalho (Author)