Modeling Complex Interdependencies Among Nighttime Mobile Device Usage, Sleep, Health and Holistic Wellbeing: A Systems Thinking Approach

This study examines the systemic impact of mobile device usage on sleep health and overall wellbeing through a systems thinking (ST) approach. By employing a systems approach, this study offers a novel contribution to this area by exploring the intricate interdependencies among mobile device usage, sleep hygiene practices (a set of everyday behaviors that promote good sleep health), and related health outcomes. To understand the dynamics and the interdependent nature of sleep, health, and holistic wellbeing, the study examines three interrelated cases: (Case 1) mapping factors that negatively influence sleep and their causal relationships; (Case 2) modeling causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to illustrate the interdependencies among sleep duration, sleep quality, and health outcomes; and (Case 3) modeling CLDs and analyzing the impact of nighttime mobile and electronic device usage on sleep patterns and long-term wellbeing. Rather than presenting empirical data, this paper employs an ST methodology and structurally validated qualitative modeling through CLDs to provide a conceptual framework that complements existing correlational studies and informs future public health research and policy interventions. A significant gap exists in this domain regarding the use of ST tools—such as CLDs—in sleep research to capture the complex, interdependent relationships between sleep health factors and overall health. By focusing on CLDs as one of the ST methods, this paper highlights the dynamic feedback loops through which behavioral, psychological, and environmental factors interact—often negatively reinforced over time by nighttime mobile device usage—to shape sleep quality and overall wellbeing. It underscores the need for novel interdisciplinary strategies and the application of ST to design interventions to mitigate sleep-related health risks and promote digital and holistic wellbeing.