Adults who spend too much time in front of screens are more likely to experience psychological distress and symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder. Annual Report of Human and Social Sciences.
In a world where technology is omnipresent, it’s no wonder that screen time has skyrocketed. From binge-watching TV shows to scrolling through social media, our digital engagement has reached unprecedented levels. But what are the potential downsides to this screen addiction?
This question motivated researchers to conduct a comprehensive study. Previous studies have addressed the effects of excessive screen time, but they have primarily focused on children and adolescents. Gaps in our understanding of the effects on adults led to this study. Researchers aimed to investigate how spending hours glued to a screen affects adults’ mental health.
“The growing interest and usage of screen-based technology around the world has made me think about its advantages and disadvantages. When I read a previously published article related to screen time addiction, I realized that this topic received little attention,” said study author Adina Ahmed, a clinical psychologist at Lifeline Rehabilitation Center Islamabad and a recent graduate of Rifa International University.
“Even the studies that have uncovered some findings on the negative effects of screen time have primarily focused on children, not adults. There is no evidence that the negative effects of screens or that behavioral addictions have the same consequences as substance addictions. Although we all know it is possible, there is still little empirical evidence to support this argument. The above scenario piqued my interest in this topic.”
To better understand these issues, Ahmed conducted a study among 150 adults in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Participants were carefully selected to ensure that they represented different aspects of the population.
Participants completed the Internet Addiction Test, a 20-statement questionnaire designed to assess an individual’s level of Internet addiction. The survey assessed various aspects of internet addiction, including spending more time online than planned, neglecting responsibilities, preferring online interactions to real life, and experiencing negative emotions when offline. The sides are taken up.
They also completed a questionnaire assessing symptoms related to borderline personality disorder and psychological distress.
Ahmed found a significant relationship between screen time addiction and both borderline personality disorder symptoms and psychological distress. More simply, people who spend excessive amounts of time in front of screens are more likely to show signs associated with borderline personality disorder, such as mood swings and difficulty managing their emotions. They were also more likely to experience psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression.
“We all know that we live in a world where the use of screen-based technology is unavoidable,” Ahmed told PsyPost. The findings of this study can help the average person at least check their screen time and try to find a balance. Consuming too much of anything can lead to complications. Any behavior or substance that we use in excess can lead to addiction and even mental illness. ”
Perhaps most surprising was the observed gender difference in screen time addiction. The study found that men were more likely to be addicted to screens than women, with men scoring significantly higher on the screen time addiction scale. “We expected that men and women would have similar rates of screen-addicted behavior,” Ahmed said.
Although this study provides important insights into the relationship between screen time and mental health, it is essential to recognize its limitations. This study focuses on a specific geographic region and its results may not be universally applicable. Furthermore, it is worth noting that this study does not imply causation, but rather highlights an important correlation.
“I personally suggest that more research should be done to understand the relationship between screen addiction and other mental health disorders, especially mood disorders and eating disorders.” Mr. Ahmed said.
The title of the study was:Relationship between screen time addiction, borderline personality disorder and psychological distress”
