Longitudinal associations between digital media use and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review
Lisa B. Thorell, Jonas Burén, Johanna Ström Wiman, David Sandberg, Sissela Bergman Nutley · 2022 · 130 citationsRead the paper
Previous reviews have often shown a link between digital media ADHD symptom levels. However, longitudinal studies are needed to find stronger evidence of a causal effect as well as to determine the direction of effects. The aim of the present review (PROSPERO CRD42021262695) was therefore to provide a systematic review of studies meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) include longitudinal data investigating associations between digital media (i.e., gaming and social media) and later ADHD symptoms or vice versa, (2) be published within the past 10 years (i.e., 2011 until June 2021), (3) be published in a peer-reviewed journal in English, and (4) include children or adolescents (age 0-17 years). After a systematic search in the Web of Science and PsycInfo databases, we included 28 studies, all with adequate or high quality. Results showed support for reciprocal associations between digital media and ADHD symptoms, with associations being more consistent for problematic use of digital media than for screen time. Thus, children with ADHD symptoms appear more vulnerable to developing high or problematic use of digital media (i.e., selection effects), and digital media also have effects on later ADHD symptom levels, either because of specific characteristics of digital media or because of indirect effects on, for example, sleep and social relations (i.e., media effects). However, it should be emphasized that further studies investigating potential moderators and mediators are needed if we are to better understand the complex associations between digital media and ADHD symptom levels.
What the full text shows
Shown in the lab- Reciprocal associations exist between digital media use and ADHD symptoms, where each predicts the increase of the other over time. (Children and adolescents (0-17 years))
- A majority of longitudinal studies found significant associations between digital media and later ADHD symptom levels. — 74% of studies (Longitudinal data from 2011 to 2021)
- Associations are more consistent and stronger for problematic use of digital media (e.g., addiction) than for general screen time. — 8 of 9 addiction studies found significant associations (Longitudinal analysis)
- Effect sizes for the associations between digital media and ADHD symptoms are generally small. — correlation coefficients < 0.30 (Across the reviewed longitudinal studies)
- Significant associations between digital media and ADHD symptoms were found more frequently in between-subject analyses than within-subject analyses. — 33–75% of between-subject analyses were significant (When controlling for baseline levels)
- Setup
- 28 longitudinal studies involving children and adolescents (age 0-17), sourced from Web of Science and PsycInfo databases.
- How
- Systematic literature review of 28 peer-reviewed longitudinal studies published between 2011 and June 2021. The authors analyzed associations between digital media (gaming/social media) and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents.
- Limitations
- Small effect sizes (correlations < 0.30). · Lack of within-subject analyses in most studies, which are stronger for causal inference. · Potential rater bias as only 8 studies used different raters for predictor and outcome. · Absence of clinically referred samples of children diagnosed with ADHD.
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