Screen Time and Psychosocial Health Conditions Amongst University Students

Abstract University students, predominantly young adults, spend vast periods of the day utilizing technology and looking at screens to complete assignments, study and relax. These students also commonly complain of several mental health disorders. The aim of this study is to determine how neurological stress, such as anxiety, depression and more, affects average screen time and to assess the weekly fluctuations in neurological stress and their influence on screen use. Additional factors (gender, quality of sleep, alcohol, etc.) were also considered with regards to their relation to screen time. The data collection was conducted in 2022, targeting university students of ages 18-24 in Ajman, UAE, via a self-administered questionnaire. 425 responses were collected and crosstabulation, using the Chi square test (p <0.05), was performed to assess statistical significance. Significant statistical association was found between depression and other psychological states (mood swings, insomnia, addictive tendencies) with screen time during the week and weekend. No other associations were identified. Overall, this study affirms the relation between negative mental health and its effects on the average user screen time amongst university students in Ajman. Additional studies are needed to clarify what specific contents and types of screens are more impactful on mental health. JEL classification numbers: I12, I19. Keywords: Screen time, Depression, Stress, University Students.