A study investigated the relationship between screen time, sleep quality, and behavioral problems among preschool children in Shanghai, China.
In the cross-sectional study, published in Early Child Development and Care, investigators examined the data of 571 preschool children (mean age = 4.70 years, 44.70% male) using mother-reported questionnaires. They found that screen time significantly correlated with hyperactive attention problems and emotional symptoms through the mediating effect of sleep quality.
Specific findings revealed that increased screen time negatively affected sleep quality, which in turn was associated with higher levels of behavioral issues. Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between screen time and behavioral problems, accounting for approximately 26.67% of the effect on hyperactive attention problems and 25% on emotional symptoms.
The research utilized three primary measurement tools:
- Home Digital Practices Survey for screen time assessment
- Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for behavioral problems
- Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire for sleep quality evaluation.
Participant demographics:
- Mean maternal age: 35.56 years
- 83.3% of mothers held university degrees
- 79.33% worked as office workers
- 65.85% of children were only children.
The study explored multiple theoretical perspectives:
- Overstimulation theory
- Displacement theory
- Content arousal hypothesis.
These frameworks suggested potential mechanisms by which screen time might influence behavioral development through disrupted sleep patterns.
The investigators acknowledged the study's cross-sectional design, which prevented establishing definitive causal relationships, and the potential subjective bias from mother-reported data.
The investigators recommended future longitudinal research to further explore the complex interactions between screen time, sleep quality, and childhood behavioral development.
The research received support from the STI 2030—Major Projects and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF, involving researchers from Shanghai Normal University and Carleton University.
The authors declared having no competing interests.
