Screen time and risky sexual behavior: the mediating role of adverse psychological effect among adolescents

Abstract

Abstract Background In the age of digitalization and information technology, the widespread availability of digital media facilities has led to a scenario where most adolescents are exceeding the recommended screen time limits, a trend that is on the rise. Excessive screen time could potentially have detrimental effects on the physical and mental well-being of adolescents. While the association between screen time and psychological health as well as risky behaviors has been explored, the mediating influence of screen time on psychological health and risky behaviors remains unconfirmed. Methods The data analysis involved 4054 participants, with mean age of 17.64 years (standard deviation 0.95 years). This study relied on self-reported data regarding screen time and mental health over the past 30 days. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were employed to examine the relationship between risky sexual behavior, screen time, and the mental well-being of the participants. Results During the study, the regression analysis showed that the increase of screen time was significantly positively associated with risky sexual behavior, the OR and 95% CI was 2.566(1.073-6.138) after adjusted the confounders. Otherwise, the screen time was positive associated with adverse psychological effect and risky sexual behavior (β=0.01 and 0.03, P＜0.05), and the psychological effect was positive associated with risky sexual behavior (β=0.04 , P＜0.05). Conclusions The results of the mediation analysis demonstrate that the adverse psychological effects serve as a mediating variable between screen time and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, providing evidence for their role. In order to effectively minimize the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents and effectively prevent short-term and long-term psychological and physical harm, restricting screen time may be crucial.