Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Dec 7;13(23):7461.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13237461.

Analysing Digital Engagement Patterns: A Machine Learning Investigation into Social Anxiety Among Adolescents with ADHD

Roxana Șipoș  1 , Tudor Văidean  1   2 , Andreea-Marlena Răpciuc  3 , Costina-Ruxandra Poetar  2 , Elena Predescu  1
Affiliations

Analysing Digital Engagement Patterns: A Machine Learning Investigation into Social Anxiety Among Adolescents with ADHD

Roxana Șipoș et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: The relationship between screen time and mental health among adolescents, particularly those identified as "digital natives", has become increasingly pertinent, especially in the context of heightened digital engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the associations between digital engagement patterns, ADHD severity, and anxiety symptoms in adolescents aged 11-18. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 97 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing daily digital activities and anxiety symptoms while caregivers provided additional contextual information. Data were analyzed using Random Forest regression to identify relationships between screen time, ADHD severity, and anxiety symptoms. Results: The findings indicate an average screen time of 6.6 h on weekdays and 8.1 h on weekends, with social media emerging as the primary activity, particularly among female participants. Notable gender differences were identified, with family dynamics influencing digital engagement; family disputes had a more significant impact on girls than boys. Furthermore, specific anxiety traits, i.e., physical symptoms and harm avoidance, significantly predicted time spent on social media across all genders considered in the study, while others, namely social anxiety and separation anxiety, were less valuable. Conclusions: This study highlights the complex interplay between screen time, ADHD, and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions that address the nuanced relationships between digital engagement and mental health in this population, warranting further research to develop effective management strategies.

Keywords: ADHD; adolescents; anxiety symptoms; digital engagement; screen time.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Importance of predictors for social media usage among adolescents of both genders.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Importance of predictors for social media usage among female participants.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Importance of predictors for social media usage among male participants.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Importance of predictors for video game use among girls with ADHD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Crone E.A., Konijn E.A. Media use and brain development during adolescence. Nat. Commun. 2018;9:588. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03126-x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. McCrae N., Gettings S., Purssell E. Social Media and Depressive Symptoms in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review. Adolesc. Res. Rev. 2017;2:315–330. doi: 10.1007/s40894-017-0053-4. - DOI
    1. World Health Organization . Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years of Age. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2019. [(accessed on 20 January 2023)]. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/311664. - PubMed
    1. Council on Communications and Media Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics. 2016;138:e20162591. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-2591. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Christakis D.A., Gilkerson J., Richards J.A., Zimmerman F.J., Garrison M.M., Xu D., Gray S., Yapanel U. Audible television and decreased adult words, infant vocalizations, and conversational turns: A population-based study. Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 2009;163:554–558. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.61. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources