Impact Of Digital Device Usage On Mental Health And Academic Performance Of College Students: A Survey Study

The present study followed a structured, cross-sectional survey-based methodology to assess the relationship between digital device usage and its impact on mental health and academic

performance among college students. Initially, the research problem was formulated based on observed trends in increasing screen time and the rising incidence of mental health issues and

academic challenges among university students. A thorough review of existing literature was conducted to identify validated tools and appropriate frameworks for data collection, ensuring

the study was grounded in established psychological and educational research paradigms.

Following the literature review, the researchers selected two widely used, validated instruments to assess mental health outcomes—namely, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and

the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). Additionally, a self-designed questionnaire was developed to capture details on academic engagement, digital usage habits,

memory retention, productivity, and academic satisfaction. The complete survey instrument was then compiled into a structured form suitable for both digital (Google Forms) and

physical administration.

After preparation of the tools, the study protocol and questionnaire were submitted to the institutional ethics committee for review and approval.