Association between screen time exposure, anxiety, and sleep quality in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. The increase in sedentary screen time can negatively affect the quality of sleep, impacting the performance of daily activities. Objective. To analyze the association between sedentary screen time and sleep quality, regardless of the symptoms of anxiety in adolescents of both genders. Method. Cross-sectional study integrating school-based epidemiological research with a representative sample (n = 666) of high school students (14 to 19 years old) in public schools in the municipality of Caruaru-PE. The translated versions into Portuguese of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were applied to analyze sleep quality and anxiety, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association, considering sleep quality as an outcome. Results. There was a positive, statistically significant (p #abr# .001) correlation between sleep quality and symptoms of anxiety (r = .393). A significant association regarding the association between screen time and sleep quality was noted only in those adolescents classified as being possible or probable anxiety cases and only in exposure to the computer (OR = 2.337; 95% CI [1.01, 5.43]) and video games (OR = 8.083; 95% CI [2.0, 32.8]) after adjusting for gender, age, and school shift. Discussion and conclusion. Increased interaction with the screen and higher levels of anxiety can be more harmful to sleep in adolescents. Exposure to screen time, specifically those which have a greater interaction such as video games and computers, can have a negative impact on sleep quality, but only in adolescents with a higher risk of anxiety.

Family coping strategies and sleep hygiene in the light of COVID-19 pandemic

“…The authors suggest that an inadequate practice of sleep hygiene can operate in a population with psychopathology where is more predisposition to insomnia. The results of Santiago et al (2022) partially support this statement. Indeed, Sandoval-Rincón et al ( 2022) found that patients with major depression comorbid with insomnia were the group with the worst practice of sleep hygiene.…”

“…Its potential effects on sleep have received particular attention. Santiago et al (2022) assessed the association between sedentary screen time and sleep quality in Brazilian adolescents. They found that excessive screen time (≥ 4 hours) in interactive devices (computers and videogames) was significantly associated with poor sleep quality only in adolescents with anxiety risk.…”

“…This elemental finding brings to light the complexity of the field and the urgent need for research. For example, Santiago et al (2022) defined excessive screen time as ≥ 4 hours per day; however, the World Health Organization and the American Pediatric Association have recommended no more than one or two hours of screen time per day (Council on Communications and Media, 2013). Modalities of screen time seem to have different effects: the use of interactive electronic devices has more influence on sleep quality than passive screen time.…”

Online Binge-Watching Among Chinese College Students: Implications for Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression

“…This aligns with previous studies that suggest a positive correlation between excessive screen time and anxiety. [38][39][40] The immersive nature of binge-watching, which may involve emotional investment in the content, could contribute to heightened anxiety levels. 10 BWA was also positively associated with depression, as indicated by a beta coefficient of 0.450.…”