Screen Time In Relation To Sleep Quality And Attention Span Among College Students: A Correlational Study
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: The rise in websites and social groups has encouraged young people to spend more time on digital gadgets like computer screens. College students who have poor sleep quality experience daytime sleepiness and exhaustion that is linked to impaired concentration, cognitive function, and emotional dysfunction. These factors impede academic and learning skills, physiological as well as psychological health. Screen time and the usage of light-emitting devices in the late hours are two key contributors to sleep problems.
Study design: A Correlational Study
Aim: To identify the correlation between Screen time with Sleep quality and Attention span among college students.
Objective: To evaluate the association between Screen time with Sleep quality and Attention span among college students by using Screen-time Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Attention Control Scale.
Method: A total of sixty (N=60) college students were included in the correlational study through convenient sampling identified through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were recruited from Santosh Medical College, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad, U.P. Each participant had given Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Attention Control Scales (ACS) in hardcopies to fill their response. Each questionnaire was firstly well explained to every participant.
Result: The descriptive statistics for screen time (STQ) in hours, sleep quality (GPSQI), and attention span (ACS) reveal that the mean values are 13.378 hours for screen time, 6.167 for sleep quality, and 48 for attention span. The standard errors are 0.695, 0.338, and 0.877, respectively, while the standard deviations are 5.384 for screen time, 2.618 for sleep quality, and 6.792 for attention span. The sample variances are 28.992 for screen time, 6.853 for sleep quality, and 46.136 for attention span. These mean values indicate that the average screen time of approximately 13 hours negatively impacts sleep quality.
The Pearson correlation coefficient between average screen time (STQ) and sleep quality (GPSQI) is 0.319, suggesting that increased screen time is associated with poorer sleep quality. The Pearson correlation coefficient between average screen time (STQ) in hours and attention span (ACS) is -0.040, indicating a very weak negative relationship between screen time and attention span.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the study highlights significant correlation between screen time (STQ), sleep quality (GPSQI), among college students. The data reveal an average screen time of approximately 13 hours, which is associated with negative impacts on sleep quality. These findings underscore the importance of managing screen time to improve sleep quality among college students.