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Recreational Screen Time Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Brooke E. Wagner

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Amanda L. Folk

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Samantha L. Hahn

    (Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
    Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Daheia J. Barr-Anderson

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Nicole Larson

    (Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Dianne Neumark-Sztainer

    (Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

Abstract

Understanding how screen time behaviors changed during the COVID-19 pandemic is important to inform the design of health promotion interventions. The purpose of this study was to quantify and describe changes in recreational screen time from 2018 to 2020 among a diverse sample of emerging adults. Participants (n = 716) reported their average weekly recreational screen time in 2018 and again during the pandemic in 2020. Additionally, participants qualitatively reported how events related to COVID-19 had influenced their screen time. Weekly recreational screen time increased from 25.9 ± 11.9 h in 2018 to 28.5 ± 11.6 h during COVID-19 ( p < 0.001). The form of screen time most commonly reported to increase was TV shows and streaming services (n = 233). Commonly reported reasons for changes in screen time were boredom (n = 112) and a desire to connect with others (n = 52). Some participants reported trying to reduce screen time because of its negative impact on their mental health (n = 32). Findings suggest that screen time and mental health may be intertwined during the pandemic as it may lead to poorer mental health for some, while promoting connectedness for others. Health professionals and public health messaging could promote specific forms for screen time to encourage social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Brooke E. Wagner & Amanda L. Folk & Samantha L. Hahn & Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Nicole Larson & Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, 2021. "Recreational Screen Time Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4613-:d:544062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neumark-Sztainer, D. & Story, M. & Hannan, P.J. & Croll, J., 2002. "Overweight status and eating patterns among adolescents: Where do youths stand in comparison with the Healthy People 2010 objectives?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 844-851.
    2. Jacob Meyer & Cillian McDowell & Jeni Lansing & Cassandra Brower & Lee Smith & Mark Tully & Matthew Herring, 2020. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Amanda L. Folk & Brooke E. Wagner & Samantha L. Hahn & Nicole Larson & Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, 2021. "Changes to Physical Activity during a Global Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, April.
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    1. Paige Coyne & Zach Staffell & Sarah J. Woodruff, 2021. "Recreational Screen Time Use among a Small Sample of Canadians during the First Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Haleama Al Sabbah & Zainab Taha & Radwan Qasrawi & Enas A. Assaf & Leila Cheikh Ismail & Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri & Maha Hoteit & Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh & Reema Tayyem & Hiba Bawadi & Majid AlKhalaf & Khlood B, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Vivienne M. Hazzard & Samantha L. Hahn & Amanda L. Folk & Brooke E. Wagner & Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, 2021. "Stay-at-Home Orders during COVID-19: The Influence on Physical Activity and Recreational Screen Time Change among Diverse Emerging Adults and Future Implications for Health Promotion and the Preventio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Lauren Arundell & Jenny Veitch & Shannon Sahlqvist & Riaz Uddin & Nicola D. Ridgers & Jo Salmon & Anna Timperio & Kate Parker, 2021. "Changes in Families’ Leisure, Educational/Work and Social Screen Time Behaviours before and during COVID-19 in Australia: Findings from the Our Life at Home Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, October.

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