Hooked on screens: The effect of screen time on the mental health of college students in peri-urban Bangalore

ABSTRACT Context: The twenty first-century digital boom has sharply increased screen time, with studies linking it to depression and anxiety. Aims: This study, therefore, aimed to estimate screentime usage and describe its associated factors among college students in peri-urban Bengaluru and determine whether an association exists between screentime use and depression and/or anxiety among college-going students. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 924 undergraduate students who were pursuing degree courses at the institution at the time of sampling. Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling was adopted in the study. A face-validated, self-administered, structured questionnaire captured sociodemographic details and home and academic environment. Screening for screentime addiction, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder was conducted using Tao’s Diagnostic Criteria for Internet, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, respectively. Statistical Analysis: Standard descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentages, and mean with standard deviation, were used to describe categorical variables. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test to identify variables with a significant association to the prevalence of screen addiction. Results: Our study concluded that 805 (82%) study participants are addicted to screens. Severe depression was found among 46 (5%) study participants. Additionally, severe anxiety was found among 73 (8%) study participants. Sociodemographic variables such as gender ( P value = 0.009) and socioeconomic status ( P value = 0.007) had a significant association with the prevalence of screen addiction. Conclusions: High rates of likelihood of anxiety and depression were observed among students. Screen addiction was found to be associated with gender and socioeconomic status but not mental health.