Exploring the Link of Screen Time with Emotional Well-Being, Quality of Sleep and Menstrual Symptoms Among Undergraduate University Students
Exploring the Link of Screen Time with Emotional Well-Being, Quality of Sleep and Menstrual Symptoms Among Undergraduate University Students
S. Hareem,Zahra Rizvi¹,6 Authors,Sidra Ali
TLDR
Screen time was weakly associated with emotional distress but was not significantly associated with menstrual distress or sleep quality, and emotional well-being appeared to be the central factor linking psychological, menstrual, and sleep-related health domains.
Abstract
Background: Excessive screen time is increasingly common among undergraduate students and may be associated with emotional distress, disturbed sleep, and menstrual symptoms. Female university students are particularly vulnerable because academic demands, digital-device dependence, irregular routines, and menstrual discomfort may collectively affect psychological and reproductive well-being. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of screen time with emotional well-being, sleep quality, and menstrual distress among undergraduate female university students. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 252 undergraduate female students aged 18–25 years who were currently menstruating, had regular menstrual cycles, and used digital screens for at least two hours per day. Screen time was assessed using device-based Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time records. Emotional well-being was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, sleep quality using the short Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and menstrual symptoms using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26, and Pearson correlation was applied to assess associations. Results: Screen time showed a statistically significant weak positive correlation with emotional distress (r = 0.130, p = 0.039), but no significant correlation with menstrual distress (r = −0.082, p = 0.200) or sleep quality (r = 0.060, p = 0.346). Emotional distress was moderately correlated with menstrual distress (r = 0.593, p < 0.001) and weakly correlated with poorer sleep quality (r = 0.126, p = 0.046). Conclusion: Screen time was weakly associated with emotional distress but was not significantly associated with menstrual distress or sleep quality. Emotional well-being appeared to be the central factor linking psychological, menstrual, and sleep-related health domains.