Electronic media use, sleep behavior, and internalizing problems in adolescent with ADHD

Introduction: Little is known regarding the relationship between digital media use, internalized feelings, and sleep behaviors in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using dopaminergic dysregulation theory, the goal of this study was to understand how parents’ perceptions of the sleep behavior and digital media use of their adolescents (ages 13–18), diagnosed with ADHD, are associated with their child’s internalized feelings. Materials and methods: Data for this study comes from parents of teenagers who were diagnosed with ADHD who were recruited from Prolific (N = 79). Results: Regression analyses showed that parents’ perceptions of their children’s digital media use were not statistically significantly related with their child’s internalized feelings. Moreover, there was no statistical evidence for a relationship between children’s digital media use and their internalized feelings. However, there was statistical evidence associated with sleep and the impact it has on internalized feelings. Conclusions: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing knowledge to parents, educators, and healthcare providers that may offer guidance on the best way to support adolescents with ADHD who use electronics.