Abstract
ObjectiveThe present study investigates the relationship between night-time screen-based media devices (SBMD) use, which refers to use within 1 h before sleep, in both lit and dark rooms, and sleep outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 11 to 12-year-olds. MethodsWe analysed baseline data from a large cohort of 6616 adolescents from 39 schools in and around London, United Kingdom, participating in the Study of Cognition Adolescents and Mobile Phone (SCAMP). Adolescents self-reported their use of any SBMD (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, television etc.). Sleep variables were derived from self-reported weekday and/or weekend bedtime, sleep onset latency (SOL) and wake time. Sleep quality was assessed using four standardised dimensions from the Swiss Health Survey. HRQoL was estimated using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. ResultsOver two-thirds (71.5%) of adolescents reported using at least one SBMD at night-time, and about a third (32.2%) reported using mobile phones at night-time in darkness. Night-time mobile phone and television use was associated with higher odds of insufficient sleep duration on weekdays (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.82, 95% Confidence Interval, CI [1.59, 2.07] and OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.23, 1.60], respectively). Adolescents who used mobile phones in a room with light were more likely to have insufficient sleep (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.10, 1.60]) and later sleep midpoint (OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.37, 1.95]) on weekends compared to non-users. The magnitude of these associations was even stronger for those who used mobile phones in darkness for insufficient sleep duration on weekdays (OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.79, 2.54]) and for later sleep midpoint on weekdays (OR = 3.88, 95% CI [3.25, 4.62]) compared to non-users. Night-time use of mobile phones was associated with lower HRQoL and use in a dark room was associated with even lower KIDSCREEN-10 score (β = –1.18, 95% CI [–1.85, –0.52]) compared to no use. ConclusionsWe found consistent associations between night-time SBMD use and poor sleep outcomes and worse HRQoL in adolescents. The magnitude of these associations was stronger when SBMD use occurred in a dark room versus a lit room.
Highlights
It is estimated that humans spend a third of their lifetime sleeping or attempting to do so (Colten et al, 2006)
We investigate the association between screen-based media devices (SBMD) use within the hour before sleep and a number of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sleep outcomes, separately for weekdays and weekends, in the Study of Cognition Adolescents and Mobile Phone (SCAMP) cohort
This study has shown that night-time use of at least one SBMD, and mobile phones or televisions, was associated with adverse sleep outcomes, insufficient sleep duration, late midpoint of sleep, abnormal catch-up sleep, abnormal social jetlag and poor sleep quality among adolescents
Summary
It is estimated that humans spend a third of their lifetime sleeping or attempting to do so (Colten et al, 2006). Sufficient sleep duration and quality are vital, especially for children and adolescents to maintain their ongoing physical and mental development (Brand and Kirov, 2011). Good sleep hygiene is crucial for cognitive processes, including sustained attention and memory (Lim and Dinges, 2010). Poor sleep hygiene is associated with poor academic performance (Dewald et al, 2010). Insufficient sleep has been shown to be associated with impaired cellular immune responses, depression, anxiety and obesity in children and adolescents (Roberts et al, 2009; Seegers et al, 2011; Spiegel et al, 2002). The United States National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends a sleep duration of 9 to 11 h for school-aged children (6 to 13-year-old) (Hirshkowitz et al, 2015)
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