A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health has revealed a concerning link between leisure screen time and higher levels of psychological distress in adolescents, with the type and context of sedentary behaviors playing a key role in mental well-being.
Rising Mental Health Issues Among Adolescents
Mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, are increasingly common among adolescents worldwide. In the UK, for instance, a study found that 16.1% of adolescents experience psychological distress linked to nonspecific symptoms. Another study estimated that 4.6% and 2.8% of teens aged 15-19 struggle with anxiety and depression, respectively. These rising figures highlight the urgent need to identify potential risk factors contributing to psychological distress in this age group.
Several previous studies have pointed to the impact of physical activity and sedentary behavior on the development of mental health issues. Sedentary behavior, defined as activities with low energy expenditure, includes activities like computer use, reading, attending class, and watching television. These behaviors can take place in various contexts, such as during transportation, leisure, or school.
While it has been established that excessive screen time can increase the risk of depressive symptoms, few studies have investigated whether other types of sedentary behaviors, such as reading for leisure or listening to music, also contribute to psychological distress.
Study Design and Methods
The study examined data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative sample of children in the UK. Between September 2000 and January 2002, participants (aged 14) reported their daily activities in a detailed diary, logging time spent on various sedentary behaviors in 10-minute intervals. These activities were categorized into leisure-based screen time (e.g., internet browsing, social media, video games), leisure-based non-screen time (e.g., reading for leisure, listening to music), and educational sedentary behaviors (e.g., homework, class attendance).
Psychological distress was measured using the six-item Kessler psychological distress scale, which assessed symptoms such as nervousness, depressive mood, hopelessness, and restlessness, with responses ranging from “none of the time” to “all the time.”
Key Findings: The Impact of Sedentary Behavior on Mental Health
The study revealed a strong association between sedentary behavior and psychological distress, with the type and context of the activity influencing the outcomes. Notably, playing video games for an additional hour was linked to a 3% higher likelihood of psychological distress, while reading for leisure for an extra hour was associated with a 5% increased risk of distress across the entire cohort.
Excessive leisure-time screen exposure—defined as more than three hours of screen time daily—was strongly connected to increased psychological distress, with children who spent more than 180 minutes per day playing video games experiencing significantly higher levels of distress. On the other hand, moderate durations (60-119 minutes) of social media use or doing homework were associated with lower levels of distress.
In contrast, educational sedentary behaviors (e.g., homework, studying) for over 300 minutes a day were linked to lower psychological distress.
Gender Differences in Psychological Distress
The study also found gender differences in how different sedentary behaviors affected psychological distress. Girls were more likely than boys to experience distress from activities like listening to music, doing homework, watching television, and using social media. In contrast, boys were more likely to engage in physical activity, use the internet for leisure, and play video games than girls.
Notably, girls spent more time on leisure non-screen activities compared to boys, but the study found that excessive leisure-based screen time was more strongly linked to higher psychological distress in girls.
Conclusions
The findings of this study underline the importance of considering the type and context of sedentary behavior when assessing its impact on adolescent mental health. While excessive leisure-based screen time was associated with higher psychological distress, other forms of sedentary behavior, such as educational activities and non-screen leisure time, did not show the same negative effects.
These results highlight the need for balanced and mindful management of screen time, particularly during the adolescent years, as part of a broader approach to reducing the risk of mental health issues in young people.
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