ArticlePediatric research2025
Relationship between screen use and internalizing/externalizing problems among preschoolers: the mediation of circadian rhythm.
Article in Pediatric research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Beyond screen time: commentary on early screen media multitasking as a developmental risk for executive function in preschoolers.Pediatric research · 2026Article
- Sleep duration moderates association between screen time and emotional and behavioural problems in young children.World journal of pediatrics : WJP · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundCircadian disruption has been proposed as an etiological mechanism for psychopathology, yet its role in the relationship between screen use and emotional and behavioral problems remains under-investigated. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of circadian rhythm in this relationship among young children.
methodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1111 children aged 2 to 7 years recruited from six kindergartens between March 2022 and June 2024. Parents reported children's screen time and use before sleep. Parents and teachers assessed internalizing and externalizing problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Circadian rhythm, including chronotype and midsleep on free days corrected for sleep debt (MSF
resultsScreen use was significantly associated with parent-reported internalizing and externalizing problems. Chronotype significantly mediated the relationships between screen use and parent-reported outcomes, whereas the results were not reproducible using MSF
conclusionThe mediation of delayed circadian phase in the relationship between screen use and internalizing and externalizing problems in young children may be negligible. Future research should explore the role of other circadian parameters in this relationship. IMPACT STATEMENT: Circadian disruption has been suggested as a potential mechanism linking screen-based media exposure to psychopathology. Using a triangulation approach that combined multiple data sources-survey, actigraphy, and sleep diaries-we found that the mediating effects of delayed circadian phase in the relationships between screen use and internalizing and externalizing problems were minimal in children aged 2 to 7 years. Future research should explore alternative circadian pathways and examine the long-term developmental effects of screen use during early childhood.
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Registered trials
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