Association between recreational screen time and emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in Guangdong Province

CHEN Shan; YU Huijuan; XU Chan; CAO Yingmin; QU Yabin; YANG Wenhan

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-1151

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (9) : 1002-1008. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-1151

Child Mental Health and Emotional Problems

Association between recreational screen time and emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in Guangdong Province

CHEN Shan¹, YU Huijuan¹, XU Chan¹, CAO Yingmin¹, QU Yabin², YANG Wenhan¹

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the current status of recreational screen time and emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in selected areas of Guangdong Province, and to examine the their associations, so as to provide evidence for making related interventions. Methods In November 2023, a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 5 421 students from grades 4 to 6 of primary school, junior high school, and senior high school in three prefecture-level cities of Guangdong Province. Data were collected using a self-designed demographic questionnaire, a health-related behavioral risk factor questionnaire, and the student version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Chi-square tests were used to compare group differences. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between screen time and emotional and behavioral problems in different dimensions among children and adolescents. Results Among the 5 421 participants, 30.62% reported recreational screen time of >2h/d. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with recreational screen time ≤2 hours, participants with recreational screen time of >4h/d had higher risks of borderline/abnormal emotional symptoms (OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.44 - 2.12), conduct problems (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.29 - 2.19), hyperactivity/inattention (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.27 - 1.96), peer problems (OR=1.92, 95%CI: 1.53 - 2.41), prosocial behavior difficulties (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.05 - 1.46), and total difficulties (OR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.42 - 2.10) (P<0.05). Furthermore, significant dose-response relationships were observed between prolonged screen time and these psychological outcomes(P_{for trend}＜0.05). Conclusion Longer screen time is significantly associated with higher risks of multidimensional emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents. Collaborative efforts by schools and parents are needed to implement appropriate screen management strategies and provide targeted emotional and behavioral guidance.

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children / adolescents / recreational screen time / emotional and behavioral problems / Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

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CHEN Shan, YU Huijuan, XU Chan, CAO Yingmin, QU Yabin, YANG Wenhan. Association between recreational screen time and emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in Guangdong Province[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(9): 1002-1008 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-1151

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