Commentary: Screens, Teens, and Psychological Well-Being: Evidence From Three Time-Use-Diary Studies

A large number of online friends and a high frequency of social interaction compensate for each Other's shortage in regard to perceived social support

The present study explored the role of the number of online friends, the frequency of social interaction and their interaction in perceived social support on WeChat, a widely used social network service, among Chinese undergraduates. A total of 1396 Chinese undergraduates completed questionnaires regarding their number of friends, frequency of social interaction and perceived social support on WeChat. The results indicated that the undergraduates' number of friends was positively related to their perceived social support, but this link was significantly stronger for undergraduates with a low frequency of social interaction than for their counterparts. Similarly, a high frequency of social interaction was found to be positively associated with perceived social support, but this relationship was much stronger for undergraduates with a smaller number of friends than for their counterparts. However, undergraduates with both a large number of friends and a high frequency of social interaction did not acquire more social support than those with only one of the two online advantages. These findings suggest that the interaction between the two online factors on perceived social support should follow a compensatory pattern rather than an additive one. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

A Nudge-Based Intervention to Reduce Problematic Smartphone Use: Randomised Controlled Trial

Problematic smartphone use is rising across the world. We tested an intervention with ten strategies that nudge users to reduce their smartphone use, for example by disabling non-essential notifications and changing their display to greyscale. Participants first completed baseline measures of smartphone use, well-being, and cognition before choosing which intervention strategies to follow for 2 to 6 weeks. Study 1 ( N = 51 ) used a pre-post design while study 2 ( N = 70 ) compared the intervention to a control group who monitored their screen time. Study 1 found reductions in problematic smartphone use, screen time, and depressive symptoms after 2 weeks. Study 2 found that the intervention reduced problematic smartphone use, lowered screen time, and improved sleep quality compared to the control group. Our brief intervention returned problematic smartphone use scores to normal levels for at least 6 weeks. These results demonstrate that various strategies can be combined while maintaining feasibility and efficacy.

The Impact of Television, Electronic Games, and Social Technology Use on Sleep and Health in Adolescents with an Evening Circadian Preference

There are mixed findings when examining if technology use is harmful for adolescent sleep and health. This study builds on these mixed findings by examining the association between technology use with sleep and health in a high-risk group of adolescents. Adolescents with an evening circadian preference (N = 176; 58% female, mean age = 14.77, age range = 10-18) completed measures over one week. Sleep was measured via actigraphy. Technology use and health were measured using ecological momentary assessment. Technology use was associated with an increase in sleep onset latency; with better emotional, social, cognitive, and physical health; and with worse behavioral health. This study offers support for technology use having some benefits and expands research on technology use to adolescents with an evening circadian preference.

Adolescent time use and mental health: a cross-sectional, compositional analysis in the Millennium Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of 24-hour time-use compositions with mental health in a large, geographically diverse sample of UK adolescents.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis.

SETTING

Millennium Cohort Study (sixth survey), a UK-based prospective birth cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

Data were available from 4642 adolescents aged 14 years. Analytical samples for weekday and weekend analyses were n=3485 and n=3468, respectively (45% boys, 85% white ethnicity).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measures were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, socioemotional behaviour), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ, depressive symptoms) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE, self-esteem). Behavioural exposure data were derived from 24-hour time-use diaries.

RESULTS

On weekdays, participants spent approximately 54% of their time in sleep, 3% in physical activity, 9% in school-related activities, 6% in hobbies, 11% using electronic media and 16% in domestic activities. Predicted differences in SDQ, MFQ and RSE were statistically significant for all models (weekday and weekend) that simulated the addition or removal of 15 min physical activity, with an increase in activity being associated with improved mental health and vice versa. Predicted differences in RSE were also significant for simulated changes in electronic media use; an increase in electronic media use was associated with reduced self-esteem.

CONCLUSION

Small but consistent associations were observed between physical activity, electronic media use and selected markers of mental health. Findings support the delivery of physical activity interventions to promote mental health during adolescence, without the need to specifically target or protect time spent in other activities.

Relationship between Sleep Problems and Self-Injury: A Systematic Review

Objective/Background: Previous studies suggested that sleep problems were related to non-suicidal self-injury. The current systematic review investigated more thoroughly this relationship.Methods: PubMED and Embase databases were searched. The keywords were "self-injury" OR "self-harm" OR "non-suicidal self-injury" OR "self-injurious behavior" OR "self-destructive behavior" OR "self-mutilation" AND "sleep problem" OR "sleep disturbance" OR insomnia OR nightmare OR "poor sleep quality" or "sleep disorders." A total of 16 studies were included in the present review.Results: The pattern of results indicated that sleep problems such as short sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and poor sleep quality were associated with non-suicidal self-injury. Additionally, emotional dysregulation, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder appeared to mediate this relationship. Above all adolescents and young adults with sleep disruptions were at higher risk of non-suicidal self-injury.Conclusions:g Interventions to improve sleep quality and sleep duration might concomitantly decrease the risk of non-suicidal self-injury.

Positive and negative uses of social media among adolescents hospitalized for suicidal behavior

INTRODUCTION

There is public concern about potential associations between adolescent social media/smartphone use and risk for suicide. However, no prior studies leverage qualitative methods to explore the experiences of adolescents currently at-risk for suicide.

METHODS

This study examined social technology use from the perspectives of adolescents (n = 30; Mage = 16.1 years) currently hospitalized for a recent suicide attempt or severe ideation. We conducted in-depth interviews and coded transcripts using thematic analysis. We had three research questions: What (1) negative and (2) positive experiences do suicidal adolescents report related to their use of social media/smartphones? (3) How do adolescents describe their disconnection from these technologies use during inpatient hospitalization and views on a subsequent return to digital connectivity after discharge?

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Results reveal both positive and negative social technology uses, with most participants reporting mixed (positive and negative) experiences. Negatives/risks included trouble regulating use, stress related to social media metrics, encounters with "triggering" content, hostility and meanness, self-denigrating comparisons, and burdensome friendship expectations. Positives/benefits included social connection, social support, affect-enhancing content, shared interests, and resources for mental health and coping. Overall, the documented risks and benefits of social technology use correspond with established (offline) risk and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Participants generally valued the break from social technologies during hospitalization, and also viewed them as integral to social re-entry and identified related concerns. Future studies should test well-being focused 'digital hygiene' interventions for maximizing potential benefits and minimizing potential harms of social technologies for at-risk adolescents.