Background: Excessive screen time (ST) has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including diminished quality of life (QOL) and adverse physical and psychological conditions.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between excessive ST and the QOL among adolescents in Iraq.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 387 secondary school students from Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, Iraq. Data collection took place from December 29, 2023, to March 3, 2024, utilizing a self-report questionnaire that included demographic information, the KINDL questionnaire for assessing QOL, and a Questionnaire for ST among Adolescents. We employed descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression analysis to interpret the data.
Results: A considerable number of participants (55.6%) reported spending over 10 hours per day on screens, while the majority (78%) indicated a moderate level of QOL. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant inverse relationships between daily ST and various domains of QOL, including physical well-being (P=0.022), emotional well-being (P=0.029), and everyday/school functioning (P=0.002). Additionally, regression analysis indicated that factors such as gender, age, marital status, and maternal education significantly influenced the QOL of the students.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher levels of ST are associated with poorer physical, emotional, and academic functioning among adolescents. Future research employing longitudinal designs and more representative samples is essential to establish causal relationships and inform effective interventions.