title: Screen time is associated with depression and anxiety in Canadian youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationships between screen time and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a large community sample of Canadian youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 2482 English-speaking grade 7 to 12 students. Cross-sectional data collected between 2006 and 2010 as part of the Research on Eating and Adolescent Lifestyles (REAL) study were used. Mental health status was assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-10. Screen time (hours/day of TV, video games, and computer) was assessed using the Leisure-Time Sedentary Activities questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linear multiple regressions indicated that after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, parental education, geographic area, physical activity, and BMI, duration of screen time was associated with severity of depression (β=0.23, p<0.001) and anxiety (β=0.07, p<0.01). Video game playing (β=0.13, p<.001) and computer use (β=0.17, p<0.001) but not TV viewing were associated with more severe depressive symptoms. Video game playing (β=0.11, p<0.001) was associated with severity of anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screen time may represent a risk factor or marker of anxiety and depression in adolescents. Future research is needed to determine if reducing screen time aids the prevention and treatment of these psychiatric disorders in youth.
authors: Carleton University Department of Psychology, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada, K1S 5B6. Electronic address: danijelamaras@gmail.com.
authors: Danijela
authors: D
authors: Maras
authors: University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Canada, K1Z 7 K4. Electronic address: martine.flament@theroyal.ca.
authors: Martine F
authors: MF
authors: Flament
authors: University of Ottawa Department of Psychology, 550 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, Canada, K1N 6 N5. Electronic address: mmurr087@uottawa.ca.
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Murray
authors: Centre for Healthy Active Living, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 1355 Bank Street, Suite 111, Ottawa, Canada, K1H 8 K7. Electronic address: abuchholz@cheo.on.ca.
authors: Annick
authors: A
authors: Buchholz
authors: Carleton University Department of Psychology, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada, K1S 5B6. Electronic address: drkhenderson@icloud.com.
authors: Katherine A
authors: KA
authors: Henderson
authors: Eating Disorder Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1H 8 L1. Electronic address: nobeid@cheo.on.ca.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Obeid
authors: Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1H 8 L1. Electronic address: ggoldfield@cheo.on.ca.
authors: Gary S
authors: GS
authors: Goldfield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; Anxiety; Computers; Depression; Mental health; Sedentary lifestyle; Television; Video games