The mediating role of personality problems in the relationship between screen time (internet addiction) and depressive symptoms in young people

Background 

While prior research has consistently linked screen time (internet addiction) to depression, the underlying mechanism has been underexplored. This study addresses the gap in existing literature by examining the potential mediating role of personality problems, specifically borderline and schizotypal personality traits, in the relationship between screen time (indexed by internet use) and depression.

Methods 

The study included 116 adults (32.8% men and 67.2% women), aged 18 to 25 years with the mean age of 20 years old. Online survey with Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Borderline Symptoms List (BSL-23) (BSL-23), and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire- Brief (SPQ-B) was administered to all participants. Sociodemographic information and sleep quality information were obtained from the participants. Mediation analysis was conducted to explore the role of personality problems in the relationship between screen time and depressiveness. 

Result 

Excessive screen time (measured by the internet addiction level) was significantly associated with depressiveness, borderline personality and schizotypal personality problems after controlling gender, age and sleep quality (ps< 0.001). Furthermore, borderline personality problems (b = .14, CI 0.0977, 0.2008) and schizotypal personality problems (b = .057, CI 0.0209, 0.1071) partially mediated the relationship between screen time and depressiveness.

Conclusion 

These findings showed that personality problems accounted for the relationship between screen time and depressive symptoms in young adults. As such, the focus on reducing screen time or internet addiction to combat depressiveness may not suffice, warranting an intervention to personality problems including borderline and schizotypal personality problems. These findings give insight to different stakeholders who work with depressive problems and excessive screen time use in young adults for the development of efficient intervention.

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