The association of age, gender, and duration of gadget use with adolescent mental health

Ayuningrrum, Lia Dian and Kurniawati, Erna Yovi and Ristant, Adenia Dwi and Mohd Arifin, Siti Roshaidai and Nailatul Izzah, Dewi Humairo and Yugistyowati, Anafrin (2026) The association of age, gender, and duration of gadget use with adolescent mental health. Indonesian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14 (1). pp. 189-205. ISSN 2354-7642 E-ISSN 2503-1856

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Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by heightened emotional and behavioral vulnerability, which may be influenced by increasing exposure to digital devices. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between age, gender, and duration of gadget use and mental health among adolescents. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 69 twelfth-grade students aged 15–18 years at a vocational high school in Central Java, Indonesia, selected through accidental sampling. Mental health status was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-18), while duration of gadget use was measured using a structured self-report questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square tests and multiple linear regression to identify independent predictors of emotional strength and behavioral difficulties. Results: High gadget use was significantly associated with abnormal emotional difficulties(93.8%) and lower emotional strength(87.5%). Bivariate analysis demonstrated significant associations between gadget use and mental health outcomes (p < 0.001) and between age and mental health (p = 0.027), whereas gender was not significantly associated (p = 0.117). In multivariate models, gadget use and emotional difficulties remained significant predictors (p < 0.05), explaining 81.2% of the variance in emotional strength (R² = 0.812) and 76.5% of the variance in behavioral difficulties (R² = 0.765).Conclusions: These findings indicate that greater duration of gadget use is associated with poorer mental health indicators among adolescents. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be established. Strategies promoting balanced digital use and school-based mental health support may help mitigate potential adverse outcomes.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	adolescent; mental health; sex factors; age factors; screen time
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention R Medicine > RT Nursing
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Special Care Nursing Kulliyyah of Nursing
Depositing User:	Dr. Siti Roshaidai Mohd Arifin
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2026 08:03
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2026 08:03
Queue Number:	2026-03-Q2702
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128132

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