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Primary Submission Category: Mental health/function

Shifting Co-occurring Digital Media Use Patterns and Their Impact on Adolescent Mental Health: A Longitudinal Analysis

Authors:  Yunyu Xiao, Yuan Meng, Timothy Brown, Katherine Keyes, J. John Mann,

Presenting Author: Yunyu Xiao*

Background: This study investigates the associations between longitudinal digital media use, addiction-like behaviors on various platforms, and youth mental health outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, participants reported daily screen time across different platforms and addiction-like behaviors. Mental health was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and KSADS-COMP for suicidal ideation and attempts.

Results: Three distinct clusters of digital media use were identified among 11,189 participants. Cluster 1 exhibited high screen time and addiction-like behaviors across all platforms, Cluster 2 showed lower levels of use, and Cluster 3 demonstrated increased video game use in Year 4. Significant increases in digital media use were observed over time. Cluster 1 participants showed significantly higher CBCL internalizing symptoms (Cohen’s d, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.2-0.38; P<.001), externalizing behaviors (0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.28; P<.001), and were more likely to have attempted suicide (OR 2.67; 95% CI, 1.72-4.13; P<.001) compared to Cluster 2.

Conclusions: Addiction-like behaviors on digital platforms, particularly video games and social media, are associated with poorer mental health outcomes and increased suicide attempt risk in adolescents. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to address problematic digital media use among youth.