Digital technology is permeating the lives of adolescents like never before. Most evidence links high levels of screen time with unfavorable psychological outcomes. It’s one of the mental health conditions of concern as screen use increases obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) everywhere. This condition involves repetitive, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that a person feels compelled to perform. These intrusive thoughts and actions can be a serious obstacle for victims and those close to them.
A recent study by University of California, San Francisco Researchers determined the expected association between baseline screen time and OCD.They found that the odds of developing OCD over two years increased by 15% for every hour played video game 11% if you watched the video for 1 hour.
Jason Nagata, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor of pediatrics at UCSF, said: “Children spending extra time play video games Report that you feel the need to play more and more and that you can’t stop trying. Intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions and compulsions. ”
“Watching videos can also enable compulsive viewing of similar content, and algorithms and advertising can exacerbate that behavior.”
“Screen addiction is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and loss of behavioral control, which are core symptoms of OCD.”
For this study, scientists analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Participants were asked how much time they spent on different platforms. On average he did 3.9 hours per day.
Two years later, the researchers asked the participants’ caregivers whether the teenagers had developed OCD symptoms. Screen use for educational purposes was ruled out.
4.4% of early teens reported new onset of OCD at 2 years of age. Both playing video games and watching streaming videos were associated with an increased likelihood of developing OCD. Social media, video chat, and text messaging were not individually correlated with OCD. Still, the researchers speculate that this may be because the preteens in the sample didn’t use these platforms often.
Nagata Said, “While screen time can provide important benefits such as increased education and sociability, parents should be aware of potential risks. mental healthFamilies can create a media usage plan that includes screen-free time, such as before bedtime. ”
Journal reference:
- Jason M. Nagata, Jonathan Chu et al. Screen time and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children aged 9–10 years: a prospective cohort study. adolescent health journalDoi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.10.023
