https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9894-5533
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Abstract
Objective
Screen time and self-esteem have been shown to be important correlates of eating disorders in adolescence. However, there is an absence of longitudinal studies that distinguish between time-varying factors, accounting for parallel developmental changes and common underlying vulnerability.
Design
A total of 3,801 adolescents were administered self-report measures, annually, over the course of 5 years. The association of screen time (social media use, television watching, video gaming) on eating related symptoms was analyzed using a longitudinal Bayesian multilevel path analysis framework. Self-esteem was examined as a mediating factor in this model. This study investigated direct and indirect associations at between-person, concurrent within-person, and lagged-within-person levels, while controlling for gender.
Results
The findings revealed that all types of screen time exposure were significantly associated with eating related symptoms at between and within-person levels. A significant association at the lagged-within person level was only revealed for social media use. Self-esteem was found to be a significant mediating factor between screen time and eating related symptoms.
Conclusion
An increase in social media use one year was associated with increased of eating related symptoms two years later through lower self-esteem. Implications for prevention are discussed.
Data availability statements
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation
Disclosure statement
The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest in relation to the subject of this study.
Funding
This work was supported by CIHR operating grant FRN114887, ERA-NET Neuron from CIRH/FRQS FRN 278649/ NDD161472, Canada Research Chair to support Dr. Conrod’s salary, Eating Disorders Ontario, University Health Network.