ABS 014: The Impact of Adolescent Screen Time on Internalizing and Externalizing Problems: The Moderating Role of Impulsivity

Daylen Lomeli ¹ , Rabeeh Azarmehr ¹ ² , M.S., Assaf Oshri ¹ ² Ph.D, Charles Geier ¹ ² Ph.D.

¹ Georgia Center for Developmental Science, University of Georgia, 850 College Station Rd, Athens, GA 30605
² Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Dawson Hall, 305 Sanford Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, United States

Van Wickle (2025) Volume 1, ABS 014

Introduction: Adolescents are increasingly immersed in digital technology, which has raised concerns about the impact of screen time on mental health. While prior research links excessive screen use to negative outcomes, less is known about how individual traits influence this relationship. This study investigates how impulsivity moderates the effect of screen time at Time 1 (T1) on internalizing and externalizing problems at Time 2 (T2). Internalizing problems include symptoms such as anxiety and depression, while externalizing problems involve behaviors such as aggression and rule-breaking. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing targeted strategies to support adolescent’s well-being. Using a longitudinal design, the study will focus on a sample of 124 dyads of adolescents (Mage = 12.89, SD = 0.79; 52% female) and their primary caregivers (93% mothers) assessed before and during the pandemic (May to October 2020). Screen time is measured at T1 through the Adolescent Screen Time Scale, including activities such as gaming, social media, and video consumption. Impulsivity, assessed via the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, is examined as a moderator, while internalizing and externalizing problems at T2 are measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Statistical modeling techniques were used to assess the extent to which impulsivity influences the relationship between screen time and mental health outcomes. Results showed that adolescents with higher impulsivity experienced a stronger association between screen time and negative mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of considering impulsivity in discussions of adolescent digital habits and mental health risks. By identifying impulsivity as a key factor in how screen time affects adolescent well-being, this study aims to inform policies, clinical practices, and educational initiatives.

Methods: This study used data from 124 adolescent–primary caregiver pairs. Adolescents reported on screen time and impulsivity at Time 1 (T1), and on mental health outcomes at Time 2 (T2). Screen time was measured using the Adolescent Screen Time Scale. Impulsivity was measured with the short form of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. Internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed at T2 using the Youth Self-Report. We used multiple linear regression to examine whether screen time at T1 predicted mental health problems at T2, and whether impulsivity moderated this association. All variables were mean-centered before creating the interaction term. A significance threshold of p < .05 was used for all analyses.

Results: We found that screen time at Time 1 predicted internalizing and externalizing problems at Time 2. This relationship was stronger for adolescents with higher impulsivity. Those with high impulsivity showed more symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression, and rule-breaking as screen use increased. In contrast, adolescents with low impulsivity did not show the same increase in symptoms. The interaction between screen time and impulsivity was statistically significant. These results suggest that impulsivity influences how screen use affects mental health and helps explain why some adolescents are more vulnerable to the negative effects of screen exposure.

Discussion: These findings help explain why screen time does not affect all adolescents in the same way. Impulsivity increased the risk for emotional and behavioral problems as screen use rose. This suggests that impulsivity is an important factor to consider when studying adolescent mental health. Future research should examine how different types of screen activities interact with impulsivity and whether interventions that improve self-control can reduce risk. Longitudinal studies with more measurement points could also clarify whether screen time leads to mental health issues or is used as a coping strategy by adolescents who already experience distress.