Association of problematic usage of the internet with burnout, depression, insomnia and quality of life among Hungarian recreational esports players: a cross sectional study

Background While recreational esports are often considered a harmless hobby, problematic internet use (PUI) may be an overlooked risk factor for poor mental health outcomes. Objective This study aimed to investigate the associations between PUI and depression, burnout, insomnia, and quality of life in adult Hungarian recreational esports players. Methods A total of 2,313 participants completed validated questionnaires, including the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the 9-item short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-SF), the Athens Insomnia Scale, and the EQ-5D quality of life instrument. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, chi-square test ( χ 2 ), Pearson’s correlation, and multivariate logistic regression. Model fit was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, Nagelkerke R 2 , and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Results Excessive internet use, as indicated by the PIUQ, was detected in 19.9% of respondents. PUI was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.08–1.12, p < 0.001), moderate to severe depression (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 2.55–4.14, p < 0.001), severe insomnia (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.85–4.08, p < 0.001), and reduced self-sufficiency as measured by the EQ-5D (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.45–2.36, p < 0.001). The final model demonstrated good fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.21), strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.42), and excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.86). Conclusion Problematic internet use is significantly associated with multiple adverse mental health outcomes among recreational gamers. These findings suggest the need for increased awareness and preventive strategies targeting PUI in adult populations engaged in digital entertainment.