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Adolescent time use and mental health: a cross-sectional, compositional analysis in the Millennium Cohort Study

Atkin, Andrew J.
; 
Dainty, Jack R.
; 
Dumuid, Dorothea
; 
Kontostoli, Elli
; 
Shepstone, Lee
; 
Tyler, Richard
; 
Noonan, Robert J.
; 
Richardson, Cassandra
; 
Fairclough, Stuart J.
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Affiliation
University of East Anglia; University of South Australia; Edge Hill University; University of Liverpool; University of Winchester
EPub Date
Publication Date
2021-10-05
Submitted Date
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Health and Social Care
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of 24-hour time-use compositions with mental health in a large, geographically diverse sample of UK adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis. SETTING: Millennium Cohort Study (sixth survey), a UK-based prospective birth cohort. PARTICIPANTS: Data were available from 4642 adolescents aged 14 years. Analytical samples for weekday and weekend analyses were n=3485 and n=3468, respectively (45% boys, 85% white ethnicity). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, socioemotional behaviour), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ, depressive symptoms) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE, self-esteem). Behavioural exposure data were derived from 24-hour time-use diaries. RESULTS: On weekdays, participants spent approximately 54% of their time in sleep, 3% in physical activity, 9% in school-related activities, 6% in hobbies, 11% using electronic media and 16% in domestic activities. Predicted differences in SDQ, MFQ and RSE were statistically significant for all models (weekday and weekend) that simulated the addition or removal of 15 min physical activity, with an increase in activity being associated with improved mental health and vice versa. Predicted differences in RSE were also significant for simulated changes in electronic media use; an increase in electronic media use was associated with reduced self-esteem. CONCLUSION: Small but consistent associations were observed between physical activity, electronic media use and selected markers of mental health. Findings support the delivery of physical activity interventions to promote mental health during adolescence, without the need to specifically target or protect time spent in other activities.
Citation
Atkin, A. J., Dainty, J. R., Dumuid, D., Kontostoli, E., Shepstone, L., Tyler, R., Noonan, R., Richardson, C., & Fairclough, S. J. (2021). Adolescent time use and mental health: a cross-sectional, compositional analysis in the Millennium Cohort Study. BMJ Open, 11(10), article-number e047189. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047189
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal
BMJ Open
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/629403
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047189
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions.
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ISSN
EISSN
2044-6055
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Unfunded
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https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/10/e047189