A Cross-sectional comparative study of health concerns associated with screen addiction

• BACKGROUNG: The past decade has seen an exponential growth in the use of internet and video games. Problems begin when media use displaces physical activity and social interaction. Studies have found that screen addicts have poor physical and mental health. • AIMS: To compare physical and psychological health concerns between screen addicted and healthy screen users. • METHODS: Cross-sectional Comparative study was conducted among 120 participants consisting of Gamers, Social Media users and Binge watchers from Mumbai based on their scores on Digital Addiction Scale (DAS) and were divided into 60 cases and 60 matched controls. Levels of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Sleep Quality, Dry Eye Disease were assessed using pre-validated scales like DASS-21, PSQI and OSDI respectively, while the other variables were assessed using a self-designed questionnaire with CVR>0.65. • RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 19.3 ± 3.2 years. The prevalence and scores of depressions, stress, anxiety, poor sleep quality & dry eye disease were significantly higher in screen addicted group (p<0.01). Prevalence of loneliness, aggression and musculoskeletal pain in wrist, thumb, neck and back was also found to be significantly higher in screen addicted group as compared to healthy screen users(p<0.05). • CONCLUSION: There is significant difference in prevalence as well as levels of physical and psychological health concerns between screen addicted and healthy screen users. However, this being a cross-sectional study a causative association cannot be derived.