Screen time addiction in adults linked to borderline personality traits and psychological distress

Does scrolling through social media contribute to a mental health problem?

Probably, according to the author of a recent study, which found that addiction to computer screens, smartphones, TVs, game consoles and other digital devices is linked to mental illness.

And while most studies have looked at the effects of screen time on children and adolescents, the study, published in the Annals of Human and Social Sciences, looked at the effects in adults.

And the results were not encouraging.

The growing interest and use of screen-based technologies across the world has made me think about their pros and cons,” study author Adeena Ahmed, a clinical psychologist at Lifeline Rehabilitation Center, told PsyPost. Islamabad in Pakistan.

“Reading previously published articles on screen time addiction, I realized that very little emphasis had been placed on this topic,” Ahmed said.

To analyze these issues, Ahmed conducted a study of 150 adults from Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan who completed the Internet Addiction Test, a questionnaire consisting of 20 statements designed to assess a person’s level of Internet addiction. individual.

The questionnaire covers several aspects of screen time use, including spending more time online than expected, neglecting responsibilities, preferring online interactions to real-life interactions, and experiencing negative emotions offline.

Everyone knows the negative impacts of screens and how a behavioral addiction can have the same consequences as a substance addiction, but we still have very little empirical evidence to support this debate,” Ahmed said.

Participants also completed questionnaires to assess symptoms related to borderline personality disorder and psychological distress.

According to the Mayo Clinic, borderline personality disorder is a mental illness marked by problems with self-image, a pattern of unstable relationships, inappropriate anger, impulsivity, frequent mood swings, and difficulty managing emotions. emotions and behavior.

The study found a relationship between screen time and borderline personality disorder symptoms and psychological distress. People who spent too much time in front of a screen were more likely to exhibit signs of borderline personality disorder, including mood swings and unbalanced emotions.

They were also more likely to experience psychological distress, which includes symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The study found that men tended to be more addicted to screens than women, with men scoring significantly higher in screen time addiction. I expected the same ratio of addictive screen behaviors in both sexes, Ahmed said.

We all know that we live in a world in which the use of screen-based technologies is something we cannot avoid, Ahmed said.

“The results of this study can help the average person to at least control their screen time and try to balance it. Any behavior or substance that we consume in excess can lead to addiction and also trigger psychological disorders,” Ahmed said.