What does this research mean for the field?

Increases in screen-based leisure during adolescence have limited impact on adult health and well-being, with some weak associations identified. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore how screen time during adolescence affects adult well-being outcomes.

March 12, 2026Current Psychology1 citationsOpen Access

Adolescent screen use in the pre-internet era and subsequent health and well-being: an outcome-wide longitudinal study

PRPedro Antonio de la RosaHarvard University RWRenae WilkinsonHarvard University RCRichard G. CowdenPepperdine University

Key Points

The research aims to explore how screen time during adolescence affects adult well-being outcomes.
Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health).
Assessed 11,054 participants from their adolescent phase to adulthood.
Examined associations between screen time and 38 adult outcomes using an outcome-wide analytic approach.
Adjusted for prior screen time, various covariates, and initial values of the outcomes.
Most associations between screen time and adult well-being outcomes were null.
Found modest links between increased screen time and lower sense of control, illicit drug use, and higher allostatic load.
High screen time of 14 hours per week showed weak associations with lower depression and preventive care use.

Abstract

Abstract This study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health, N = 11,054) to assess whether increases in screen-based leisure during adolescence (Wave II, from 1996) predicted adult well-being (Wave IV, from 2008-09), adjusting for a wide range of covariates (Wave I, from 1995). Using an outcome-wide analytic approach, we examined associations between screen time and 38 adult outcomes, adjusting for prior screen time, values of most outcomes, and confounders. Most associations were null. Modest evidence was found for links between screen time (continuous) and reduced sense of control, illicit drug use, and allostatic load. High screen time (14 h/week) or more also showed weak associations with lower depression and preventive care use. Because the data predate widespread internet use, the findings help establish a baseline for the long-term effects of non-internet screen activities, which appeared to behave had limited impact on adult health and well-being.

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