How self-esteem and resilience mediate the association between screen time and depression symptoms in Chinese adolescents

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To clarify the associations between screen time and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents, as well the mediating roles of self-esteem and resilience. Methods A total of 1,624 primary and middle school students aged 9 to 16 years-old from five schools in China were recruited by stratified cluster sampling. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R), Self-Esteem scale (SES), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Screen time questionnaire were applied. The data was analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and Amos 26.0. Results Screen time was positively associated with depression symptoms (p < 0.001). Self-esteem partially mediated this association (p < 0.05) with a mediation rate of 33.63%, and resilience (p < 0.05) mediated this association with a mediation rate of 6.46%. Self-esteem and resilience formed a mediating chain between screen time and adolescents depression symptoms (p < 0.05) with a mediation rate of 3.15%. Conclusions Longer screen time was significantly associated with increased risk of depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents, and self-esteem and resilience partially mediated this association. This evidence provides potential targets for preventive interventions against adolescent depression.