Article Abstract

Online ISSN: 1099-176X    Print ISSN: 1091-4358
The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics
Volume 27, Issue 3, 2024. Pages: 99-104
Published Online: 1 September 2024

Copyright © 2024 ICMPE.

Relationship of Cryptocurrency Trading to Quality of Life, Sleep and Stress Levels in Academics

Mehmet Uçar,¹* Metin Yıldız,² Necmettin Çiftci,³ Rukuye Aylaz⁴

¹Ph.D., Assistant Prof., Muş Alparslan University, Varto Vocational School, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, 49250 Muş, Turkey.
²Ph.D., Assistant Prof., Sakarya University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, 54100 Sakarya/Turkey.
³Ph.D., Assistant Prof., Muş Alparslan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, 49100 Muş, Turkey.
⁴Ph.D., Prof., Dr.,Inonu University, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing, 44100 Malatya, Turkey.

Background: Cryptocurrency trading has become popular with a large section of society, and the number of investors is increasing daily. It is critical to address the health impacts of cryptocurrency trading. Of particular importance is the issue of how such trading affects mental health. Research should be conducted on this topic, and where necessary, national governments should develop policies to combat these effects.

Aims: This study was conducted to examine the relationship of cryptocurrency trading to quality of life, sleep, and stress levels in academics.

Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 437 academics working at a state university in Turkey. A Personal Information Form, the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale, the Scopa Sleep Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale were used to collect data. These data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and G*Power 3.1 programs.

Results: The data obtained in this study were analyzed using SPSS program (SPSS-25). The effect size and r-effect size were calculated with Cohen’s d value. It was found that the mean scores for the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale were statistically lower in academics who traded cryptocurrency than in those who did not. The results showed that the mean scores for the Scopa Sleep Scale and Perceived Stress Scale were statistically higher in academics who traded cryptocurrency than in those who did not (p<0.05).

Discussion: The academics who traded cryptocurrency had more negative health outcomes when compared to those who did not. Social awareness should be raised on the negative effects of cryptocurrency trading. A limitation of the study is that only data obtained from the statements of the participants were included in the study. The study may have some generalizability to other academics, but has less generalizability to populations other than academics.

Implications for Health Care Provision and Use: Cryptocurrency trading is a significant public health problem. Although cryptocurrency trading has been found to profoundly affect mental health (sleep, stress, and quality of life), the current policies that address these problems are generally inadequate in terms of implementing and sustaining mental healthcare systems. The limitations of these health policies prevent many individuals in society from receiving high quality services.

Implications for Health Policies: Health systems alone cannot solve the systemic problems that lead to the population’s dependence of mental health services and institutions. In order to solve this basic problem, it may be necessary for governments to increase individuals’ basic incomes and develop specific mental health policies for people engaged in cryptocurrency trading.

Implications for Further Research: Future studies should examine expert perspectives on mental health services in different contexts (e.g., behavioral addiction services), collect targeted feedback, and explore issues such as strategic planning and funding stability. Effective decisions should be made regarding the implementation and maintenance of treatment for behavioral addictions.