Screen time: Its link with depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality among medical students in a Northeast Medical Institute

Abstract Background: Currently, medical students need to access knowledge and sometimes curriculum through digital platforms, which affects their screen time (ST) and impacts their mental well-being. Therefore, we attempted to find out the association between ST with depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep in these students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online among medical students of a Northeast Central Medical Institute through standard questionnaires, and responses were analyzed. Results: Among 100 respondents (41 males and 59 females) and a mean age of 21.06 ± 1.37 years, 74% reported ST >4 h, with females having higher daily ST than males. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Score revealed 66% of students with depression, 77% with anxiety, and 34% with stress. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score showed that 21% (9 males and 12 females) with moderate daytime sleepiness, whereas 56% (23 males and 33 females) reported excessive sleepiness. A significant positive correlation existed between increased ST and depression ( P < 0.001), anxiety ( P < 0.001), and stress ( P < 0.001). ESS scores correlated significantly with depression ( P = 0.02) and stress ( P = 0.036). Females exhibited two times higher severity of depression, anxiety, and stress than males. Conclusion: We conclude that increased ST is associated with various degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students. It also increased daytime sleepiness among the participants, irrespective of gender.