Longitudinal association between smartphone ownership and depression among schoolchildren under COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02196-5
• Publication Date: 2021-11-12T17:13:43Z
• Authors: Masaki Adachi; Michio Takahashi; Hiroki Shinkawa; Hiroyuki Mori; Tomoko Nishimura; Kazuhiko Nakamura
• Keywords: Pandemic; Depression; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Association (psychology); Longitudinal Study

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns regarding prolonged screen time and mental health effects in children have increased. We examined association of depression with smartphone ownership school at four points: September 2019, July 2020, December March 2021. The analysis revealed an interaction between group time, indicating that depressive symptoms among owners were significantly more severe than other group. These results clearer for fourth-year students, pointing possession younger ages may be a risk factor new lifestyle caused by pandemic.