0626 Type of screen time and the relationship between anxiety, depressive and insomnia symptoms in college students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Limited and conflicting evidence examines associations between screen time, depression, anxiety and insomnia in adolescents. Surprisingly few studies focus on college students who face unique sleep-related challenges, frequent media use and elevated rates of mental health problems. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the influence of different types of screen time on the relationship between anxiety/depressive symptoms and insomnia symptoms in college students. Methods Participants (N = 1,085 college students with a mean age of M = 21.15 [SD = 5.51]) completed questionnaires of demographics, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and daily screen time. Type of screen time was classified as: (1) social, (2) non-social, or (3) productivity. We conducted correlations and used Model 1 of the PROCESS macro version 3.5 was used to determine whether type of screen time moderated the relationship between depressive or anxiety symptoms and insomnia. Results Insomnia symptoms were moderately correlated with anxiety (r = .49, p = <.001) and depressive symptoms (r = .60, p = <.001). Anxiety symptoms were correlated with social screen time (r = .09, p = <.01); depressive symptoms were correlated with non-social screen time (r = .13, p = <.001). Social screen time moderated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms (b = -.03, SE = .01, p = .01) and the relationship between depressive symptoms and insomnia symptoms (b = -.02, SE = .01, p = .02). Productivity and non-social screen time were not significant moderators. Conclusion Anxiety symptoms were only correlated with social screen time whereas depressive symptoms were only correlated with using non-social screen time. Moderation analyses revealed social screen time moderated the relationship between anxiety/depressive symptoms and insomnia symptoms. Elevated social screen time was associated with elevated insomnia symptoms among participants with less anxiety/depressive symptoms. Distinguishing between non-social and social screen time may be relevant when examining the influence of screen time on depressive/anxiety symptoms and their relationship with insomnia symptoms. Further research could address these findings in a clinical sample and examine whether intervening on specific types of screen time impacts the relationship between depression/anxiety and insomnia. Support (if any) None