Anhedonia, screen time, and substance use in early adolescents: A longitudinal mediation analysis

Screen time is associated with substance use risk among adolescents; however, less is known about the underlying factors that explain this association.

This research examined anhedonia, a facet of depression noted by the reduced capacity to experience pleasure, as a mediating factor in the relationship between screen time (hours spent watching television, using internet, and/or playing video games outside of school) and substance use (alcohol and/or cigarettes). We used a longitudinal survey design among a sample of students aged 9-11 years in the 4th to 6th grades in Southern California, United States of America [N = 709 (354 males)].

Structural equation modeling (SEM) findings revealed longitudinal mediation effects of anhedonia on the association between screen time and substance use, while controlling for baseline screen time, baseline individual and peer substance use, race/ethnicity, and gender. Moderation analysis based on a multiple-group approach revealed that gender was not a significant moderator of this mediation pathway.

Adolescents may become desensitized and exhibit a blunted response to hedonic effects from increased screen time. This may result in increased anhedonia and greater risk for substance use through the need to compensate for the reduced experience of rewards. These findings have implications for future school-based substance use prevention and intervention programs.