Gong Tong, Frans Emma, Ohlis Anna, Yao Shuyang, Zhang Ruyue, Nilsson Anders, Molero Yasmina, Mosing Miriam, Brikell Isabell, Larsson Henrik, Lichtenstein Paul, Thorell Lisa, Magnusson Patrik, Kuja-Halkola Ralf, Lu Yi
Karolinska Insitutet.
Karolinska Institutet.
Res Sq. 2025 Aug 22:rs.3.rs-7278950. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7278950/v1.
The mental health impact of increasing recreational screen use among youth has raised substantial concerns, yet questions about causality remain unresolved. Using data from ~22,000 Swedish twins followed from age 9 to 24, we examined associations between screen use and internalizing problems using multiple designs, including co-twin control comparisons, to strengthen causal inference. Associations between longer screen time and elevated internalizing symptoms during adolescence persisted in co-twin comparisons, supporting a potential causal link. Bidirectional associations were observed, with internalizing problems at younger ages also associated with later screen time increase. Adolescents who exceeded international screen time recommendations at ages 15 and 18 showed elevated internalizing symptoms at later ages, whereas those who reduced screen time to recommended levels did not. Heavy screen use at age 15, particularly during the weekdays, was associated with higher risk of clinical depression or anxiety. Findings support public health recommendations to limit recreational screen time.
青少年娱乐性屏幕使用增加对心理健康的影响引发了广泛关注，但因果关系问题仍未解决。我们利用来自约22000名从9岁到24岁的瑞典双胞胎的数据，采用多种设计，包括双胞胎对照比较，来研究屏幕使用与内化问题之间的关联，以加强因果推断。在双胞胎对照比较中，青少年时期较长的屏幕使用时间与内化症状加重之间的关联持续存在，支持了潜在的因果联系。我们观察到双向关联，即较年轻时的内化问题也与后来屏幕使用时间增加有关。在15岁和18岁时超过国际屏幕使用时间建议的青少年在后来的年龄段出现内化症状加重，而那些将屏幕使用时间减少到建议水平的青少年则没有。15岁时大量使用屏幕，尤其是在工作日，与临床抑郁症或焦虑症的较高风险相关。研究结果支持限制娱乐性屏幕使用时间的公共卫生建议。
