Impact of Screen Time on Sleep and Quality of Life: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

OBJECTIVE

We explored Screen Time (ST)'s effects on sleep and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents.

METHODS

Data collected, in February-May 2021, from 2000 students aged 12-19, includes the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and STs on television (TV) (st_tv), TV-linked devices (st_tvd), laptops (st_lap), smartphones (st_smp), and in bed (st_bed), and QOL using the KINDLR questionnaire.

RESULTS

Direct effects of ST on Sleep included st_tv and st_lap on four sleep domains during weekdays; st_tv, st_tvd, and st_lap on three sleep domains during weeknights; st_lap and st_smp on four sleep domains on weekends; and st_bed on all sleep domains, except medication. Direct effects of ST on QOL domains included st_lap on general feeling on weekdays; st_tv on self-esteem, st_tvd on friends and physically, and st_lap on family and physically on weeknights; st_tv on school, st_lap on family, friends, and physical wellbeing, and st_smp and st_bed on all QOL scales on weekends. In overall, st_bed showed the highest effect on QOL, followed by st_smp and st_lap.

CONCLUSIONS

It highlights the need for ST-related campaigns whereby public health nurses, especially school nurses and community nurses, may play a leading role together with parents and teachers to minimize effects on sleep and QoL.