Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study

Background: Good sleep quality is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes, including better health, reduced daytime sleepiness, enhanced well-being, and improved psychological functioning. Over the past decade, the availability and usage of electronic devices have increased sharply, making...

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Main Authors: Anjali Venkat, Mythri G, Anagha Avinash, Yuktha Hadly Devaraju
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara 2025-05-01
Series:Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4482
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author Anjali Venkat
Mythri G
Anagha Avinash
Yuktha Hadly Devaraju
author_facet Anjali Venkat
Mythri G
Anagha Avinash
Yuktha Hadly Devaraju
author_sort Anjali Venkat
collection DOAJ
description Background: Good sleep quality is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes, including better health, reduced daytime sleepiness, enhanced well-being, and improved psychological functioning. Over the past decade, the availability and usage of electronic devices have increased sharply, making them an integral part of young adults’ lives. Blue light radiation emitted from electronic devices is known to suppress the production of melatonin – a hormone essential for sleep initiation – thereby worsening sleep quality. Aims and Objectives: To assess the effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults and determine which component of sleep quality is most affected. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 437 participants aged 18–25 years participated in an online survey. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 27. Results: The average PSQI score was 5.94 (PSQI ≥5 indicates poor sleep quality). A significant association was observed between longer screen time and higher PSQI scores. Sleep latency was the most significantly affected component in our study. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of young adults in our study experience poor sleep quality, which is strongly associated with increased screen time. Since sleep latency is the most affected component, limiting electronic device usage before bedtime could help improve sleep quality.
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spelling doaj-art-7621e86ffde2405c8fef1b999599ea9f2025-08-20T02:13:28ZengManipal College of Medical Sciences, PokharaAsian Journal of Medical Sciences2467-91002091-05762025-05-015108114https://doi.org/10.71152/ajms.v16i5.4482Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional studyAnjali Venkat 0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0932-3776Mythri G 1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5132-2454Anagha Avinash 2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9490-2475Yuktha Hadly Devaraju 3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3251-9088Final Year MBBS Student, Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dayananda Sagar University, Ramanagara, Karnataka, IndiaProfessor, Department of Physiology, Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka , India Final Year MBBS Student, Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dayananda Sagar University, Ramanagara, Karnataka, India Final Year MBBS Student, Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dayananda Sagar University, Ramanagara, Karnataka, India Background: Good sleep quality is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes, including better health, reduced daytime sleepiness, enhanced well-being, and improved psychological functioning. Over the past decade, the availability and usage of electronic devices have increased sharply, making them an integral part of young adults’ lives. Blue light radiation emitted from electronic devices is known to suppress the production of melatonin – a hormone essential for sleep initiation – thereby worsening sleep quality. Aims and Objectives: To assess the effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults and determine which component of sleep quality is most affected. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 437 participants aged 18–25 years participated in an online survey. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 27. Results: The average PSQI score was 5.94 (PSQI ≥5 indicates poor sleep quality). A significant association was observed between longer screen time and higher PSQI scores. Sleep latency was the most significantly affected component in our study. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of young adults in our study experience poor sleep quality, which is strongly associated with increased screen time. Since sleep latency is the most affected component, limiting electronic device usage before bedtime could help improve sleep quality.https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4482sleep quality; screen time; pittsburgh sleep quality index; students; young adults
spellingShingle Anjali Venkat
Mythri G
Anagha Avinash
Yuktha Hadly Devaraju
Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
sleep quality; screen time; pittsburgh sleep quality index; students; young adults
title Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
title_full Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
title_short Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study
title_sort effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults an observational cross sectional study
topic sleep quality; screen time; pittsburgh sleep quality index; students; young adults
url https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4482
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