Screen Time Effect on Insomnia, Depression, or Anxiety Symptoms and Physical Activity of School Students During COVID-19 Lockdown in Lebanon: A Cross Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Background and ObjectiveaaOur aim is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on screen time among Lebanese high school students (grades 9–12).MethodsaaAn anonymous online questionnaire was distributed among 510 school students fromdifferent governorates in Lebanon;this included questions regarding screen time, food habits, andphysical activity. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7items and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items. Effects of screen time on sleep was evaluated usingthe Insomnia Severity Index and Bedtime Procrastination Scale.ResultsaaFemale students reported higher depression (p = 0.018) and anxiety (p = 0.023) thanmale students;however, there was no difference in their sleep. Insomnia, depression, and anxietywere highest among phone users. A screen time of more than 7 hours per day was significantly associatedwith higher depression (67.9%), anxiety (61.6%), insomnia (82.1%), and bedtime procrastination.It also indicated a shift toward a less healthy diet and light exercise.ConclusionsaaSeven hours of screen was found to develop depression and anxiety, exercisingless, eating a less healthy diet, and experiencing disturbed sleep among school adolescents