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Journals / Istanbul Kent University Journal of Health Sciences / 2026 / Sayı: 2026

An Investigation into the Relationship Between Screen Time and Kinesiophobia, Pain Beliefs, Neck Disability and Fatigue Among University Students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Ekran Süresi ile Kinezyofobi, Ağrı İnançlari, Boyun Özürlülüğü Ve Yorgunluk Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Emine Nur Demircan(Hacettepe Üniversitesi)0000-0002-4270-3543
Biray Gökde Dinç(ISTANBUL KENT UNIVERSITY)0009-0006-0599-8510
Zelal Şevval Temurçin(ISTANBUL KENT UNIVERSITY)0009-0004-0817-183X
Pages
60–66
Publication Date
2026-08-13
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In protective and preventive approaches, it is recommended that individuals' perceptions of movement, beliefs about pain, and fatigue levels be addressed holistically, in addition to screen time.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Introduction With increasing digitalisation, daily screen time among university students has significantly increased.
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Key Findings & Data:A total of 140 university students participated in the study.
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Conclusion & Impact:In protective and preventive approaches, it is recommended that individuals' perceptions of movement, beliefs about pain, and fatigue levels be addressed holistically, in addition to screen time.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:ekran süresi · kinezyofobi · yorgunluk

Abstract

Introduction With increasing digitalisation, daily screen time among university students has significantly increased. Prolonged screen use can negatively affect physical functioning through digital fatigue, avoidance of movement behaviours, and negative beliefs about pain. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between daily screen time and kinesiophobia, pain beliefs, neck disability, and digital fatigue among university students. Materials and Methods This study was conducted using a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design. A total of 140 university students participated in the study. Data were collected using an online questionnaire; the Movement Fear Scale, Pain Beliefs Scale, Neck Disability Index, and Digital Fatigue Scale were used for assessment. The obtained data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results An increase in daily screen time was found to be associated with levels of digital fatigue. In contrast, no direct relationship was found between screen time and kinesiophobia, pain beliefs, or neck disability. Kinesiophobia was found to be associated with pain beliefs, neck disability, and digital fatigue, and similarly, pain beliefs were found to co-occur with both neck disability and digital fatigue. Discussion The findings suggest that screen time, rather than explaining physical complaints on its own, has indirect effects through digital fatigue. Psychological and cognitive factors appear to play a decisive role in avoidance behaviours and functional limitations. Conclusions and Recommendations This study demonstrates that digital fatigue is a fundamental problem area in university students related to screen time, and that accompanying kinesiophobia and pain beliefs have significant effects on physical functioning. In protective and preventive approaches, it is recommended that individuals' perceptions of movement, beliefs about pain, and fatigue levels be addressed holistically, in addition to screen time.

Özet

Giriş Artan dijitalleşme ile üniversite öğrencilerinde günlük ekran süresi önemli ölçüde artmıştır. Uzun süreli ekran kullanımı; dijital yorgunluk, hareketten kaçınma davranışları ve ağrıya ilişkin olumsuz inançlar üzerinden fiziksel işlevselliği olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Amaç Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinde günlük ekran süresi ile kinezyofobi, ağrı inançları, boyun özürlülüğü ve dijital yorgunluk arasındaki ilişkileri incelemektir. Materyaller ve Yöntemler Bu çalışma nicel, tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tasarımda yürütülmüştür. Araştırmaya 140 üniversite öğrencisi dahil edilmiştir. Veriler çevrim içi anket yöntemiyle toplanmış; değerlendirmede Hareket Korkusu Nedenleri Ölçeği, Ağrı İnançları Ölçeği, Boyun Özürlülük İndeksi ve Dijital Yorgunluk Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler uygun istatistiksel yöntemlerle analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar Günlük ekran süresinin artması, dijital yorgunluk düzeyleriyle ilişkili bulunmuştur. Buna karşılık ekran süresi ile kinezyofobi, ağrı inançları ve boyun özürlülüğü arasında doğrudan bir ilişki saptanmamıştır. Kinezyofobinin; ağrı inançları, boyun özürlülüğü ve dijital yorgunluk ile ilişkili olduğu, benzer şekilde ağrı inançlarının hem boyun özürlülüğü hem de dijital yorgunlukla birlikte seyrettiği belirlenmiştir. Tartışma Elde edilen bulgular, ekran süresinin tek başına fiziksel yakınmaları açıklamaktan ziyade, dijital yorgunluk üzerinden dolaylı etkiler oluşturduğunu düşündürmektedir. Psikolojik ve bilişsel faktörlerin, hareketten kaçınma davranışları ve fonksiyonel kısıtlılıklar üzerinde belirleyici bir rol oynadığı görülmektedir. Sonuç ve Öneriler Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerinde dijital yorgunluğun ekran süresiyle ilişkili temel bir sorun alanı olduğunu, buna eşlik eden kinezyofobi ve ağrı inançlarının ise fiziksel işlevsellik üzerinde önemli etkiler oluşturduğunu göstermektedir. Koruyucu ve önleyici yaklaşımlarda, ekran süresinin yanı sıra bireylerin hareket algıları, ağrıya yönelik inançları ve yorgunluk düzeylerinin bütüncül biçimde ele alınması önerilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Demircan, E. N., Dinç, B. G., Temurçin, Z. Ş. (2026). An Investigation into the Relationship Between Screen Time and Kinesiophobia, Pain Beliefs, Neck Disability and Fatigue Among University Students. Istanbul Kent University Journal of Health Sciences, Sayı: 2026, 60–66. https://ajindex.com/articles/1629764

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