# The Relationship Between Problematic Use of Social Networks, Perceived Stress, Distraction, and Self-Management in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that nursing students who use social networks problematically experience higher stress and distraction, and lower self-management during clinical training.

## Contribution

The study explores the novel relationship between problematic social network use, perceived stress, distraction, and self-management in nursing students during clinical practicums.

## Key findings

- Problematic social network use is positively linked to perceived stress and distraction.
- Problematic use is negatively associated with self-management of clinical activities.
- Perceived stress is negatively related to self-management among nursing students.

## Abstract

Background/Objective: Nursing students commonly use social networking sites during clinical practicums, and excessive use may interfere with their attention, performance, and training during clinical placements. However, the relationship between problematic social networking use, perceived stress, distraction, and self-management of activities during clinical practice among nursing students has not been explored in depth. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of social networking sites, perceived stress, smartphone-related distraction, and self-management among nursing students during clinical practicums. Methods: A cross-sectional design was carried out. The sample consisted of 340 nursing students. Data were collected between September and November 2025 using a sociodemographic form, the WhatsApp Negative Impact Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Distraction Smartphone Use during Clinical Practice Scale, and Self-Control and Self-Management Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 28. Regression analysis was performed to define the factor of the problematic use of social networks and the relationship between the scales. The STROBE Checklist was used when preparing the manuscript. Results: A positive relationship was found between problematic social networks use and perceived stress (p < 0.001) and distraction (p < 0.001), and there was a negative relationship with self-management (p < 0.001). A negative relationship was found between perceived stress and self-management (p < 0.001). After regression analysis, more problematic social network use consisted of those who spent more time daily using the smartphone (p < 0.001), had more distraction associated with smartphone use during clinical practicum (p < 0.001), had more perceived stress (p < 0.001), those whose last place performing the practicum was the hospital (p = 0.006), and those whose sex was male (p = 0.026). Conclusions: The results obtained from this study indicated an association between problematic Social networksuse and increased perceived stress and distraction, as well as decreased self-management activities during clinical practicum. In line with these findings, perceived stress was negatively associated with self-management; nursing students reporting lower perceived stress also reported a greater capacity for self-management of clinical activities.