Longitudinal associations between changes in screen-time and mental health outcomes in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction The primary objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between changes in recreational screen-time and mental health outcomes during the first year of secondary school in a sample of Australian adolescents. Methods Adolescents (N = 322; 65.5% females) reported total and device specific screen-time (television, DVD, computer, and tablet/mobile phone) and mental health (physical selfconcept, psychological well-being and psychological difficulties) over a school year. Multilevel linear regression analyses were conducted and adjusted for relevant covariates. Results Changes in total recreational screen-time (B =-.003, p = .048) and tablet/mobile phone use (B =-.015, p < .001) were negatively associated with physical self-concept. Changes in total recreational screen-time (B =-.008, p = .001) and computer use (B =-.025, p = .003) were negatively associated with psychological well-being. A positive association was found with television/DVD use and psychological difficulties (B = .007, p = .015). No associations were found for non-recreational screen-time. Conclusion Changes in recreational screen-time were associated with changes in a range of mental health outcomes during the first year of secondary school, with no clear device-specific trends emerging. These findings suggest that reducing recreational screen-time among adolescents may have utility as a strategy for promoting mental health in this population.

Digital Media Consumption and Youth's Interests in Ecosystem Services, Sustainability and Science as a Means for Disease Prevention

“…This is further consistent with the divisions observed in the literature over the effect of digital media on adolescent's well-being (Bell et al, 2015;Orben and Przybylski, 2019). Although the literature has mainly focused on digital media effects on youth physical (Dumuid et al, 2017;Chiasson et al, 2016;Poitras et al, 2017;Rosen et al, 2014;, psychological (Babic et al, 2017), social and neurological (Twenge and Campbell, 2018;Lissak, 2018) well-being with inconsistent results, our study of its effect on youth's interest in ecosystem services, sustainability and science as a means for disease prevention is just as equally important. Mainly because increased interest will lead to more commitment, and early commitment to sustainability and science as a means for disease prevention by the younger generation is key to the present and future developments in those fields, and thereby the well-being of humanity (Council et al, 2013;Smith, 1999).…”

“…Along with the above declined advantages, a growing body of literature associates excessive and addictive digital media consumption among youth, with physical Dumuid et al (2017), psychological Babic et al (2017), social and neurological (Twenge and Campbell, 2018) adverse consequences. Among the identified physical health effects are poor sleep and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, low HDL cholesterol, poor stress regulation, impaired vision, and reduced bone density (Chiasson et al, 2016;Poitras et al, 2017).…”

Exploring how social networking sites impact youth with anxiety: A qualitative study of Facebook stressors among adolescents with an anxiety disorder diagnosis

“…When anxious adolescents present to clinics, an important part of the clinical assessment includes information about their sleep habits, physical activity, and diet including screen time (Bagnell et al, 2011;Bernstein & Kinlan, 1997). Greater than two hours per day of "screen time" has been found to be associated with greater psychological difficulties (Babic et al, 2017;Page, Cooper, Griew, & Jago, 2010). If a clinician identifies that an adolescent is spending considerable amounts of time online, they may probe further about the adolescent's activities online and the adolescent's mood after using SNS sites.…”

Effects of Reallocating Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Sleep on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Examination of Canadian Adolescents in the COMPASS Study

“…Adolescents commonly engage in screen-based sedentary behaviors during leisure-time (e.g., watching television, playing video games). Greater screen time is a noted risk factor for increased anxiety and depressive symptomology and decreased well-being 10,7 though researchers have noted non-linear associations between screen time and the mental health of adolescents whereby no screen use or excessive screen use is associated with poorer mental health relative to moderate use. 11,12 Homework also contributes to the proportion of time adolescents spend sedentary though is likely characterized by greater mental activity than leisure-time screen based sedentary behaviors.…”

“…Researchers investigating nonrecreational screen time (i.e., computer use for homework) reported no associations between time spent doing homework and mental health, but positive associations were noted for educational outcomes and persistence. 10,14 Investigations of speci c sedentary behavior types could guide prevention efforts with greater precision.…”