Adolescent sleep duration and quality : analyzing the conjoint associations of gaming, anxiety and depression

Tavoitteet. Nuorten uneen nykypäivänä vaikuttavat lukuisat biologiset, psykososiaaliset ja kontekstuaaliset tekijät. Kontekstuaaliset tekijöistä tietotekniikan kehityksen myötä ovat tulleet elektroniset laitteet ja niiden moninaiset käyttömahdollisuudet, kuten pelaaminen. Tässä lopputyössä aluksi luokitellaan ja määritellään aineisto, jonka jälkeen tutkimme yhteyksiä nuorten nukkumisen, pelaamisen sekä masennus- ja ahdistusoireilun välillä. Menetelmät. Helsingin yliopiston SleepHelsinki! tutkimusprojektin osana olleessa internetpohjaisessa kyselyssä selviteltiin uneen, terveyteen ja käyttäytymiseen liittyviä muuttujia. Kyselyn kokonaan suorittaneita vastaajia oli 1374, ikäväliltä 15 - 17 vuotta. Yhteyksiä kartoitettiin korrelaatiovertailuilla ja kanonisilla korrelaatiolla. Myös sukupuolen vaikutus selvitettiin. Pelaamisen ja unen, sekä ahdistus- ja msennusoireilun yhteyksiä selvitettiin lisäksi mediaatioanalyysillä. Tulokset ja johtopäätökset. Tässä aineistossa nuorison keskimääräinen uniaika oli 7:10 tuntia (kh. 1:07), joka on selvästi alle suositusten (8-9 tuntia yössä). Vakava univaje on alle 6 tuntia unta yössä, tähän luokkaan kuului 17.3% vastaajista. Unen keston ja laadun kanssa negatiivisessa yhteydessä olivat masennus- ja ahdistusoireilu, kronotyyppi, pelaaminen ja alkoholin käyttö. Positiiviset yhteydet löytyivät hyvän unihygienian ja hyvän itsekontrollin kanssa. Tytöillä löydökset olivat systemaattisesti huonompia: tilastollisesti tytöillä oli enemmän vakavaa univajetta, pidemmät nukahtamisajat sekä huonompi unihygiena ja unenlaatu kuin pojilla. Ongelmallista pelaamista mittaavan kyselyn tulos välitti sekä masennus- että ahdistuoireilun tulosta kokonaisuniaikaan. Pelaamiseen käytetty aika välitti ahdistusoireilukyselyn tulosta, mutta ei masennusoirekyselyn tulosta. Tämä tutkimus vahvistaa monia nuorison unen riskitekijöihin ja suojaaviin tekijöihin viittaavia löydöksiä. Pelaamisen vaikutus nousee selvänä löydöksenä esiin arvioitaessa nuorison unta – sitä tulisi tutkia yhdessä erityisesti ahdistus- ja masennusoireilun kanssa.Aims: Adolescent sleep is impacted by numerous biological, psychosocial and contextual factors. The sheer number of new elements capable of affecting adolescent sleep has grown steadily, most notably the amount of electronic devices available. In this adolescent-based sample, we first seek to characterize, and secondly investigate the relationship between gaming, and adolescent sleep, depression and anxiety. Methods. Total of 1374 respondents, aged from 15 to 17 years of age, provided sufficient data in SleepHelsinki! Helsinki university research project. The associations between study parameters were analyzed using correlational comparisons and canonical correlations. Gender differences were also evaluated. The relationships between gaming, sleep, depression and anxiety were further studied using mediation model. Results and Conclusions. In our study the adolescents sleep duration averaged 7:10 hours (SD 1:07) which is well under the recommended amount 8-9 hours of sleep per night. Severe restriction of less than 6 hours of sleep existed in 17.3% of respondents. Negative associations between sleep duration and sleep quality were established on depression, anxiety, chronotype, gaming and alcohol consumption. Positive connections were found between good self-control and sleep hygiene. Girls fared systematically worse than their male counterparts: significantly having more severe sleep restrictions, longer sleep onset latency, worse sleep hygiene and sleep quality. The gaming addiction score was found to mediate the effect of both depression and anxiety on total sleep time. The hours of gaming also mediated the effect of anxiety, but not depression. This study confirms many findings indicating both risk factors and protective factors regarding adolescent sleep. The gaming is established as an integral component when examining adolescent sleep – it should be studied in unison with particularly anxiety and depression symptoms

Relationship of smartphone use severity with sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in university students

Background and aims The usage of smartphones has increased rapidly in recent years, and this has brought about addiction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between smartphone use severity and sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in university students. Methods In total, 319 university students (203 females and 116 males; mean age = 20.5 ± 2.45) were included in the study. Participants were divided into the following three groups: a smartphone non-user group (n = 71, 22.3%), a low smartphone use group (n = 121, 37.9%), and a high smartphone use group (n = 127, 39.8%). All participants were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory; moreover, participants other than those in the smartphone non-user group were also assessed with the Smartphone Addiction Scale. Results The findings revealed that the Smartphone Addiction Scale scores of females were significantly higher than those of males. Depression, anxiety, and daytime dysfunction scores were higher in the high smartphone use group than in the low smartphone use group. Positive correlations were found between the Smartphone Addiction Scale scores and depression levels, anxiety levels, and some sleep quality scores. Conclusions The results indicate that depression, anxiety, and sleep quality may be associated with smartphone overuse. Such overuse may lead to depression and/or anxiety, which can in turn result in sleep problems. University students with high depression and anxiety scores should be carefully monitored for smartphone addiction

Prevalence of smart phone addiction, sleep quality and associated behaviour problems in adolescents

Background: World is ever changing due to advancement in realm of science and technology, one such advancement is in field of smart phones. The ubiquity of smart phone technology raises concern for its addiction among adolescents and its relationship with quality of sleep, mental and physical health problems. Objective of the study was to investigate magnitude of smart phone addiction and evaluate the impact of smart phone addiction on their mental health and sleep quality.Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted on sample comprising of 587 students of repudiated school. Students were assessed with a specially designed proforma and Smart phone addiction scale (SAS) which was self‑administered by the students. Subjects were classified into smartphone non-user group, a low smartphone user group and a high smartphone user group. Subsequently depression anxiety and stress sub scores (DASS-21) scale were administered to asses associated behaviour problems, investigate sleep quality Pittsburgh sleep quality inventory was administered (PSQI).Results: Out of 587 subjects who completed the questionnaires 12.9% (n=76) were not using smart phones, (n=315) 53.62% were low users and (n=196) 33.3% were high users of Smart phone as estimated by Smart Phone addiction scale. Those who used smart phone excessively had high Global PSQI scores and DASS-21scores in terms of depression, anxiety and stress.Conclusions: With increasing popularity of smart phones, youths spend significant time on smart phone thereby developing addictive tendencies. This study concludes that youths are not only addicted but are also developing significant sleep and behaviour problems owing to excessive smart phone usage

Sleep in the Social World of College Students: Bridging Interpersonal Stress and Fear of Missing Out with Mental Health

Introduction: The college years are characterized by psychosocial and biological phenomena that may impact mental health, such as heightened sensitivity to social stressors and compromises in sleep quantity and quality. The current study uses a biopsychosocial approach to examine the associations among interpersonal stress, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), insomnia, and mental health. Methods: Survey data were collected from 283 undergraduate students (90% female) with a mean age of 21.4 years. A path analysis was utilized to test a mediational model linking interpersonal stress and FoMO with mental health through a mediator of insomnia. We hypothesized that higher levels of interpersonal stress and FoMO would be associated with higher levels of insomnia symptoms, which would in turn be associated with poorer mental health. Results: As predicted, insomnia partially mediated significant associations of interpersonal stress and FoMO with mental health. The association of interpersonal stress with insomnia and mental health was more robust than the association of FoMO with these variables. Conclusions: The pathway from interpersonal stress and/or FoMO, through insomnia, to compromises in mental health may be modifiable through behavioral interventions focusing on coping skills, sleep hygiene, and even technology-related habit changes. Recommendations to help disrupt this pathway, particularly among college students, are discussed

A Moderated Mediation Approach to Risk Factors for First-Year University Students’ Stress-Related Anxiety and Depression

High levels of stress and mental health issues are significant concerns among first-year university students. However, the factors contributing to why some students successfully navigate their first year while others struggle with anxiety and depression have received limited attention. To address this gap, this thesis adopts a moderated mediation approach to identify specific resilience and risk factors associated with stress-related anxiety and depression in first-year students. Specifically, it explores the influence of personality traits, sleep quality, and neurocognitive factors in shaping these outcomes. Study 1 brings clarity to the existing inconsistencies in the literature regarding the roles of trait and state anxiety in the stress-depression relationship by identifying trait anxiety as a moderator in the relationship between undergraduate-specific life stressors and depression mediated by state anxiety. Building on these insights, Studies 2 to 4 were the first to identify high trait anhedonia, poor sleep quality, and high cognitive flexibility—along with concurrent high sustained attention and poor inhibitory control—as risk factors in first-year students’ stress-related state anxiety and depression. By identifying and elucidating these risk factors, this research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the interplay between various psychological and cognitive factors in students' mental health during the crucial first year of university. Given the empirical evidence generated, universities must improve and develop mental health strategies that effectively detect and support students exhibiting these risk factors. By implementing intervention techniques that target stress reduction, anxiety alleviation, and anhedonia mitigation, while simultaneously promoting sleep quality and enhancing inhibitory control, universities can offer a holistic approach to support vulnerable students. These strategies hold immense potential in fostering better mental health outcomes and enhancing academic success and overall well-being, both during students' university years and as they transition into adult life. This thesis contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge by illuminating specific resilience and risk factors that influence stress-related anxiety and depression in firstyear university students. Bridging the gap between research and practice provides a foundation for universities to build effective mental health support systems tailored to the unique needs of their students. By addressing these challenges proactively, universities can foster an environment that prioritizes the well-being of their students and empowers them to thrive academically and personally throughout their university journey and beyond

The Mediating Effects of Problematic Internet and Video Gaming Behaviors on Family, Cultural, and Individual Constructs among Latinx and non-Latinx Black Youth

Problematic Internet use (PIU) and problematic video gaming (PVG) are associated with various negative health outcomes and are increasingly concerning behavioral health issues among youth. While market research indicates that US Latinx use the Internet and video games more frequently than non-Latinx US youth, research on PIU and PVG among this historically understudied population is lacking. Accordingly, data on PIU, PVG, parental monitoring, sleep quality, substance use, anxiety, depression, parental attachment, acculturation, and positive future orientation were collected using validated standardized measures from three separate samples of US Latinx and non-Latinx youth. The aims of this research were to explore the associations between PIU, PVG, and family, cultural, and individual wellbeing outcomes in a community sample of US Latinx and non-Latinx black adolescents. The first study (N = 159) examined the incidence of PVG among youth and found that younger elementary school aged males (ages 6-11) had the highest PVG scores, followed by middle school aged males (ages 12-14), and high school aged males (ages 15-18). Building off previous research, the second study collected data (N = 247) examined PIU as a mediator of the association between parental monitoring and academic achievement, sleep quality, substance use, anxiety, and depression. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to estimate the relationships between the variables, controlling for adolescent’s age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results revealed that PIU is a significant mediator between parental monitoring and low academic achievement, sleep quality, substance use, anxiety, and depression. A third study was conducted to examine if PIU and PVG mediate the relation between family, cultural, individual constructs and academic achievement. Two separate simple mediation models were tested using PROCESS© macro v3.0 for SPSS 25. Results from the hypothesized mediation models were not significant. Suggestions for future research to examine critical Latinx cultural values and their influence on behavioral health is discussed

Sleep Quality, Technostress, and Maladaptive Use of Technology: Predictors of Depression Among College Students

Depression among college students is a substantial concern due to the risk of suicide, academic failure, and other psychosocial problems. Current literature suggests that the prevalence of depression among populations of college students has risen in the past two decades whereas sleep quality has decreased and technology use has increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ways that sleep quality, technostress, and misuse of technology might be associated with depression among college students. A total of 236 college undergraduates from a large, urban university were surveyed. Independent samples t tests revealed no mean group differences between men and women for depression, sleep quality, technostress, and misuse of technology. A multiple hierarchical regression indicated that younger age and poor sleep quality were linked to higher amounts of depression among college students. Additional regression analyses revealed that technostress predicted an additional 1.1% of the variance in depression after controlling for sleep quality, and misuse of technology predicated an additional 4.9% of the variance in depression after controlling for sleep quality. A series of regression analyses to test for mediation were conducted to determine if technostress or technology misuse mediated the relationship between sleep quality and depression. Results did not support the hypotheses that partial mediation would occur. Implications regarding treatment and prevention of depression among college students were discussed