Yang Q, Wang Q, Zhang H, Zheng D, Tang S. Association of electronic screen exposure with depression among women in early pregnancy: a cross-sectional study.
Reprod Health 2024;
21:127. [PMID:
39223548 PMCID:
PMC11369992 DOI:
10.1186/s12978-024-01869-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Previous studies indicated that excessive engagement in digital devices could lead to negative psychological impacts in general population. We aimed to determine the association of electronic screen exposure with depression among women in early pregnancy.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to June 2022. A total of 665 women in early pregnancy were recruited and the information included socio-demographic characteristics, screen exposure and Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 depression scale.
RESULTS
Among the women in early pregnancy, the total daily smartphone viewing time was the longest (median [P25-P75], 5 [3-6] hours/day) in the three types of electronic screen exposure. The total daily smartphone viewing time (P = 0.015, OR[95%CI] = 1.09[1.11-1.18]), smartphone (P = 0.016, OR[95%CI] = 1.24[1.04-1.47]) and television viewing time (P = 0.006, OR[95%CI] = 1.35[1.09-1.67]) before nocturnal sleep were significantly associated with depression among women in early pregnancy. The thresholds calculated by receiver operator characteristic curves were 7.5 h/day, 1.5 h/day and 1.5 h/day, respectively. In addition, women with higher scores of smartphone addiction were more susceptible to depression (P<0.001, OR[95%CI] = 1.11[1.07-1.16]). The top three smartphone usages in women with depression were watching videos (22.0%), listening to music (20.9%) and playing games (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, electronic screen exposure, including screen viewing time, smartphone addiction and problematic smartphone use was associated with depression among women in early pregnancy. Further studies are warranted to verify the conclusions.
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