University students and excessive screen time: links to sleep disturbance and acute health issues

Abdullah Kamil, Najiyya and Ahmad, Norfaezah and Ahmad, Norhidayah (2025) University students and excessive screen time: links to sleep disturbance and acute health issues. International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 9 (Supp. 3). pp. 19-28. E-ISSN 2600-8491

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Abstract

Background: University students often spend a significant amount of time on screens due to academic demands, entertainment and social interactions. However, excessive screen time may negatively affect sleep quality and contribute to deterioration in health. This study aimed to determine the association between sleep disturbance and acute health effects associated with prolonged screen time among students at a higher education institution. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at a public university in Kuantan, Pahang. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to eligible participants who owned personal screen-based devices and had sufficient English proficiency to understand the questionnaire. Students who were on study leave and had been diagnosed with insomnia and pre-existing eye disorders that are known not to be caused by excessive screen usage were excluded. Screen device addiction was measured using the Manolis/Roberts Cell-Phone Addiction Scale (MRCPAS), while sleep behaviour was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: With 155 participants, the findings indicate that the majority preferred using smartphones primarily for educational and entertainment purposes, with an average daily screen time of 7.32 hours. The mean addiction score to the screen device was 12.81 out of 20, indicating a high level of screen device dependency. Despite this, the majority (97.4%) reported good sleep quality. Participants reported several acute health effects due to prolonged screen time, including eye strain, musculoskeletal discomfort (e.g. back pain, neck pain), headaches, and a decline in physical fitness. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between sleep disturbance and dry eyes (p=0.022), blurred vision (p=0.023), burning eyes sensation (p=0.048), double vision (p=0.014), difficulty focusing for near vision (p=0.012), feeling that eyesight is worsening (p=0.029), and back pain (p=0.028). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that sleep disturbance had significant associations with several acute health effects caused by prolonged screen time. The results obtained in this study may not accurately reflect the general university student population, as the sample size was limited; however, they may serve as a helpful starting point for larger epidemiological studies.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	screen time; sleep quality; health effect; university students; smartphone addiction
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Biomedical Science (Effective:1st July 2011) Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Prosthodontics
Depositing User:	Dr Norhidayah Ahmad
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2025 15:21
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2025 15:21
Queue Number:	2025-12-Q1017
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/125982

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