Sleep duration moderates association between screen time and emotional and behavioural problems in young children
Abstract
Background: Preschoolers and young children are vulnerable to psychosocial and behavioral disorders linked to lifestyle factors such as screen time and sleep disturbances. Our study examines the relationship between screen time and adherence to recommendations with children's behavioral and emotional difficulties, with a focus on the role of sleep duration.
Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted within the multicenter prospective Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS), which included 1420 children aged 3-6 years. Screen time (hours/day) and adherence to recommendations (≤ 2 hours/day) were assessed. Behavioral and emotional difficulties were measured via the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between screen time (continuous and dichotomous) and strengths and difficulties questionnaire scores, adjusting for potential confounders. We also tested the moderating effect of sleep and conducted isotemporal substitution analyses replacing screen time with sleep duration.
Results: Higher screen time was associated with higher total strengths and difficulties questionnaire scores [β 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35 (0.10, 0.61)], emotional symptoms [0.10 (0.01, 0.19)], conduct problems [0.10 (0.01, 0.18)], and greater odds of exceeding the 16-point strengths and difficulties questionnaire cutoff for behavioral and emotional difficulties [odds ratio (OR) (95%…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,420 participants or records.
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