The Influence of Digital Burnout, Screen Time, and Self Control on the Mental Health of Gen Z in the Digital Age among Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Universitas Negeri Jakarta

Pengaruh Kelelahan Digital, Waktu Layar, dan Pengendalian Diri terhadap Kesehatan Mental Generasi Z di Era Digital di Kalangan Mahasiswa Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Negeri Jakarta

Abstrak

The rapid development of digital technology has brought both opportunities and challenges to Generation Z, particularly university students who are constantly engaged in screen based academic and social activities. This study aims to analyze the influence of digital burnout and screen time on the mental health of Generation Z students, with stress acting as a mediating variable. A quantitative research approach was employed, involving 100 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS) using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The findings indicate that both digital burnout and screen time have significant direct effects on mental health. Furthermore, stress was found to significantly mediate the relationship between these digital factors and mental health outcomes. Among the variables, screen time showed the strongest total effect when considering both direct and indirect paths. These results highlight the psychological impact of digital lifestyles on young students and emphasize the need for integrated interventions that promote mental wellness in academic settings. Educational institutions are encouraged to develop comprehensive strategies, including digital behavior education and stress management programs, to support students’ psychological resilience in the digital era.