Screen exposure exacerbates impulsivity indirectly through addiction to internet and sleep disturbance.

Abundant research has shown that prolonged screen exposure is associated on the one hand to impulsivity and on the other hand to sleep quality. The present study tested individual addiction to internet and sleep disturbance as mediators of the relationship between screen exposure and impulsivity, and this in a general adult population. 482 individuals completed questionnaires measuring their usual exposure of screen devices, as well as their internet addiction, sleep disturbance and impulsivity. The results confirmed the increase in impulsivity with increasing screen time. However, the screen-impulsivity relationship was mediated by the additive effect of sleep disturbance and internet addiction.