Effects of Night-Time Screen-Based Media Device Use on Adolescents' Sleep and Health-Related Quality of Life

摘要

Background/Aim: Sleep deprivation among adolescents has reached epidemic levels. In this study we investigated the associations between screen-based media device (SBMD) use and sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We analysed baseline data from a large cohort of 6,616 adolescents from 39 schools in and around London, United Kingdom, participating in the SCAMP study. Exposure was self-reported SBMD use (including mobile phone, tablet, eBook reader, laptop, television etc.) within one hour before sleep and whether use occurred in the dark or in a room with light on. Outcomes included variables generated from self-reported weekday and weekend bed, sleep and wake times; sleep quality using dimensions from the Swiss Health Survey; and HRQoL estimated using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Results: Over two-thirds of adolescents reported using at least one SBMD within the hour before sleep and about a third of adolescents reported using their mobile phone in darkness. Night-time use of mobile phones and televisions was associated with higher odds of late wake time on weekdays (OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.05, 2.44] and OR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.15, 2.55], respectively). Use of mobile phones, televisions or at least one SBMD was associated with all adverse weekend sleep outcomes. Whereas there was a 31% increase in the odds of insufficient sleep duration for those who used mobile phones in a room with light on, mobile phone use in the dark was associated with a 147% increased odds of insufficient sleep duration compared to no night-time mobile phone use. Likewise, adolescents who used mobile phones in darkness reported poorer HRQoL compared to those who did not use mobile phones. Conclusion: SBMD use within one hour before sleep was associated with adverse sleep outcomes and HRQoL among adolescents. Although adverse effects of night-time use of mobile phones and televisions on sleep outcomes were observed, the effects were stronger when use occurred in darkness.