EXPLORING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH OF HYDERABAD, SINDH

Abstract

Background: The growing popularity of electronic devices in entertainment and education has encouraged young adults, especially adolescents, to spend more time in front of screens. There are growing incidences of anxiety, depression, and suicidal attempts among them. In 1990, 170 million people were suffering from depression, which rose to 270 million in 2019, accounting for a 64% rise in the prevalence of the disease.

Aims & Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate link between increasing anxiety and depression among young adults and their duration of screen time exposure.

Material & Method: The current study was a survey-based study that was carried out at the Sindh University of Jamshoro from March 2024 to April 2024 (2 months) after obtaining ethical approval from the Physiology Department via latter no Physiol/77. The sample size was 550 participants in the 15- to 19-year-old age group. After written consent, a comprehensive and modified DASS 21 questionnaire was distributed among the participants, who were the students of Sindh University Jamshoro.

Results: The result shows increase in screen time contributes more to the incidence of anxiety and depression (P value 0.02, df: 2, x² = 7.5), while excessive screen exposure at night is more contributory to anxiety and depression than daytime (df = 2, x² = 6.9, P value = 0.03).

Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a definite link between excessive screen exposure and an increased ratio of anxiety and depression among adolescents.