Associations Between Screen Time, Cognitive Function, and Academic Performance Among Icelandic High School Students : The Mediating Role of Sleep

Screen use has become a major part of young people’s daily lives, raising questions about its impact on learning and well-being. Screen time refers to the hours spent using electronic devices. Recent data show that screen time amongst adolescent´s is much higher than recommended. High screen time has been associated with negative outcomes, including poorer cognitive function, academic performance, and sleep. This study examined the associations between screen time, cognitive function, and academic performance, as well as the mediating role of sleep. Participants were 184 first year students at an upper secondary school in Reykjavík who completed a questionnaire assessing screen time (Questionnaire for Screen Time of Adolescents), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and cognitive function (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). Academic performance was operationalized using official school grades in Icelandic and Mathematics. Results showed greater screen time was associated with poorer cognitive function and academic performance. More screen time was also linked to poorer sleep, which in turn was associated with poorer cognitive function but not academic performance. Sleep partially mediated the relationship between screen time and cognitive function. However, sleep did not mediate the relationship between screen time and academic performance. These results highlight the importance of limiting screen time and maintaining healthy sleep habits as a part of effort to improve health and academic performance among young people, as well as the need for greater awareness among parents, schools, and policymakers on a societal level. Keywords: Screen use, sleep, cognitive function, academic performance, high school students

Authors dc:creator

• Eydís Birta Aðalsteinsdóttir 2004-
• Klara Sjöfn Gísladóttir 2003-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Framhaldsskólanemar
• Unglingar
• Skjánotkun
• Svefn
• Námsárangur
• Psychology
• High school students
• Teenagers
• Sleep
• Academic achievement

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53441

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/53441