Screens vs. Sleep: The Hidden Cost of Excessive Screen Time

Background: Sleep is vital for overall health and well-being, influencing cognitive, emotional, and physiological functions. Excessive screen time, particularly before bedtime, has been linked to poor sleep quality due to melatonin suppression and delayed sleep onset. Medical students, with their high levels of stress and frequent digital device use, are at increased risk of sleep disturbances. Aim: To determine the correlation between screen times and sleep quality as indicated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, involving 95 adults aged 18-24 years medical students, selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were recruited and their screen time was assessed using a structured questionnaire. They were categorized into three groups: Group 1 (<3 hours), Group 2 (3-6 hours), and Group 3 (>6 hours) of screen time. All participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. The collected data were analyzed using statistical methods to assess the correlation between screen time and PSQI scores. Result: Test revealed a significant association between PSQI scores and time spent (p = 0.00001). Most participants with lower PSQI scores (0-5) spent 3-6 hours, while higher scores (6-9, >9) were more common in those spending over 6 hours, indicating poorer sleep quality with increased time duration Conclusion: Participants with over 6 hours of screen time experienced significantly poorer sleep quality. This study underscores the negative impact of excessive screen use on sleep among medical students. Reducing screen time, particularly before bedtime, may lead to better sleep quality and overall health in this population.