Excessive Screen Time and Its Association with Psychological Health among Adolescents in Galle Educational Division, Southern, Sri Lanka

The rise in excessive screen time and addictive behaviour among adolescents is a growing concern that significantly affect their psychological well-being. Identifying the extent of excessive screen time and its association with psychological problems is crucial for developing effective policies. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 schoolchildren aged 12-16 from selected schools within the Galle Educational Division, using a stratified multistage cluster sampling to assess the prevalence of excessive screen time and its association to the psychological health among adolescents in the Educational Division of Southern, Sri Lanka. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the addictive behaviour. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale - Youth 21 (DASS Y-21) was used to assess the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0, and the Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were performed. Of the sample, 39.6% used screen devices for more than the recommended 2 hours, except for educational purposes. Smartphones (20.6%) and television (25.5%) were the most frequently used devices. The majority (45.1%) of the participants indicated that they routinely check their device screens in the absence of any incoming notifications, while 38.9% of participants reported increased screen time, and 27.7% reported constantly feeling an urge to use them. Mother's occupation (p=0.05), parental screen devices usage (p=0.01), the availability of television (p=0.01), and the use of screen devices while eating (p=0.001) were associated with excessive screen time. Among the participants, 23.4% had symptoms of severe depression, 18% had severe anxiety, and 19.8% had symptoms of severe stress. Excessive screen usage is significantly associated with depression (p=0.028), anxiety (p=0.048), and stress (p=0.002) among adolescents. Excessive screen time, addictive behaviour and psychological problems are substantially prevalent among adolescents. Awareness, behavioural modification intervention, and balanced screen usage are crucial for promoting their well-being.