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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem among high school students

Authors: Blal Idrees, Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga, Hayley A. Hamilton, Jean-Philippe Chaput

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Adolescence is a critical period for development, with many risk factors resulting in long-term health consequences, particularly regarding mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem in a representative sample of adolescents residing in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Self-reported data were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 4,748 students (57.9% females) in grades 9 to 12 (mean age: 15.9 ± 1.3 years) who participated in the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. Problem technology use was measured using the 6-item Short Problem Internet Use Test, life stress was assessed using an item from the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey and self-esteem was assessed using a global measure from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Ordinal logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnoracial background, subjective socioeconomic status, body mass index z-score, tobacco cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and cannabis use.

Results

We found that 18.3% of participants reported symptoms of moderate-to-high problem technology use, although symptoms were more common in females than males (22% vs. 14.7%, respectively). Moderate-to-high problem technology use was associated with 2.04 (95% CI: 1.77–2.35) times higher odds of reporting high life stress and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.76–2.45) times higher odds of reporting low self-esteem compared to all other response options.

Conclusions

Findings from this study show that problem technology use is strongly associated with higher life stress and lower self-esteem in adolescents. This study supports the importance of developing and implementing effective strategies that help to mitigate the adverse effects of problem technology use on adolescent mental health.

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Title: Associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem among high school students
Authors: Blal Idrees
Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga
Hayley A. Hamilton
Jean-Philippe Chaput
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17963-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem among high school students

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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