Positive ADHD Scores are Associated With Higher Screen Time and Anxiety Symptoms in Medical Students: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refers to a set of symptoms, such as an inability to sustain attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with a prevalence of 2.0% for the general population. Approximately 2.7% of American medical students report having some form of disability, with ADHD emerging as the most frequently self-disclosed condition. Medical students with a positive ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) score present more depression symptoms in comparison with those with a negative ASRS score. Previous studies suggest that a low amount of time spent in physical activity and a high amount of time spent in sedentary behavior were associated with mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression). However, information in the literature on this association with symptoms of ADHD is limited, particularly in medical students. 

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated a sample of medical students aged 18 years or older. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD were excluded. Participants completed an online survey, which included questions about demographic and academic experiences, the ADHD Self-Report Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS 22 program, with a significance threshold of p = 0.05. 

Results: Out of ninety-nine medical students included, forty individuals (40.4%), demonstrated positive ASRS scores, suggesting a risk for ADHD. After dividing the participants into groups according to their ASRS scores (negative or positive ASRS), the Mann-Whitney comparison revealed that the negative ASRS group exhibited lower daily screen time (9.0 vs 12.0 hours per day; p < 0.01) and reduced anxiety symptoms (8.0 vs 16.0 points; p < 0.01) compared to the positive ASRS group. Furthermore, the linear multiple regression analysis indicated that screen time was a predictor of the ASRS score. 

Conclusion: In a sample of medical students, the current study showed a prevalence of 40.4% of positive ASRS. The results suggest that medical students with a positive ASRS score have higher screen time, as well as more symptoms of anxiety. In addition, we found that screen time was a significant predictor of scores in the ASRS.