Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of screen time with adolescent depression and anxiety.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The relationship between screen time and mental health in adolescents is debated in the scientific literature, with longitudinal studies lacking. This study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between screen time and depression and anxiety and the influence of maladaptive social media use and gender on these associations.

Methods

We analysed a sample of 4058 adolescents (mean age = 13.9) recruited from 134 Australian schools as part of the Future Proofing Study, a 5-year prospective cohort study of adolescent mental health. Linear mixed models used Time 1 and Time 2 (12-month follow-up) data to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of screen time with depression and anxiety and the influence of maladaptive social media use and

SUBMITTER: Li SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12506940 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature