Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
Published on: October 11, 2018
Excessive Screen Time Associated with Emotional and Behavioral Problems Mediated by Sleep Disturbance Among Young
Yingbin You1, Yuhui Chen2, Jianhui Shang2
1Department of Administrative, Affiliated Hospital Group of Guangdong Medical University Shenzhen Baoan Central Hospital (Baoan Central Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
We examined whether excessive screen time (ST) is associated with emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) in young school children mediated by sleep disturbance.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional survey of 3883 children aged 7-9 years at 18 primary schools in Shenzhen. Data on children's ST on weekdays and weekends as well as household environment, parental ST, and parental accompaniment time were collected. Sleep disturbance and EBPs were assessed with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), respectively. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the average causal mediation effects and the average direct effects were estimated.
Results:
Overall, 15.7% of children had ST in excess of the recommended 2 hr/day, and 24.1% of parents reported that their child had a sleep disturbance. The total SDQ score was higher for children with than without ST ≥ 2 hr/day and sleep disturbance (P<0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, children with ST ≥ 2 hours/day had increased odds of sleep disturbances (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.65-2.33). The odds of EBPs were increased for children with ST ≥ 2 hr/day (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.64) and sleep disturbance (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.23-3.22). Mediation analysis indicated that sleep disturbance partially explained the association between ST and EBPs (all effects statistically significant, P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Excessive ST was significantly associated with EBPs and may be mediated by sleep disturbance. Reducing children's ST and encouraging good sleep practices may enhance mental health.
More Related Videos
08:09Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Information Processing Approach