Problematic internet use (PIU) can be defined as internet use that is not well-controlled. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire Short Form (PIUQ-SF-6) among Serbian medical students and to examine the prevalence of students at risk of problematic internet use and social, lifestyle, and mental health characteristics associated with it. We conducted a cross-sectional study that included a total of 735 medical students (66.8% female and 33.2% male) attending classes in Social Medicine during the 2023/2024 school year. The instrument used was a questionnaire developed based on the questionnaires in similar studies. A total of 160 students (21.8%) were in the problematic internet use group, and 575 were in the non-problematic internet use group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with PIU as the outcome variable showed an association between PIU and the Patient Health Questionnaire−9 score (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16) and impulsivity (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05–1.10). The mental health of medical students, as future health professionals, should be promoted through tailored interventions that are widely accessible and long-lasting.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of scores indicating depression, anxiety and stress (<95th percentile of the score on each of the domains) among students at the University of Pristina-Kosovska Mitrovica and social and lifestyle characteristics associated with scores indicative of depression, anxiety and stress in this population studying in a post-conflict area. Methods: The cross-sectional study applying the non-probabilistic convenience sampling that included a total of 656 students of nine faculties who were present in the classes during the day of this study at the University of Pristina-Kosovska Mitrovica was conducted during the 2024/2025 school year. Results: A total of 9.3% had a score on the DASS-D scale, indicating severe or extremely severe depression, 19.6% had a score indicating severe or extremely severe anxiety, and 13.9% had a score indicative of severe or extremely severe stress. Our study showed the association of scores indicating depression with living in rural areas, average self-rated health, use of anti-anxiety medications, and mobile phone addiction. Our study showed the association of scores indicating anxiety and average self-rated health, use of anti-anxiety medications, score on social support scale, and score on state impulsivity scale. Our study showed the association of scores indicating stress with female sex, age in years, poor self-rated financial status, average self-rated health, use of anti-anxiety medications, and score on the state impulsivity scale. Conclusions: This study has shown a significant burden of psychological distress among students at the University of Pristina-Kosovska Mitrovica.