Exploring the Link of Screen Time with Emotional Well-Being, Quality of Sleep and Menstrual Symptoms Among Undergraduate University Students

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Published: 2026-05-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/f6454n09
Keywords:
Screen Time; Emotional Distress; Sleep Quality; Menstrual Distress; Undergraduate Students.

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S Hareem Zahra Rizvi
Student, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Sunniya Kamran
Student, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Saira Ilyas
Student, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Fizza Massod
Lecturer, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Sidra Ali
Lecturer, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Azka Maryam
Student, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Fizza Razzaq
Student, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Excessive screen time is increasingly common among undergraduate students and may be associated with emotional distress, disturbed sleep, and menstrual symptoms. Female university students are particularly vulnerable because academic demands, digital-device dependence, irregular routines, and menstrual discomfort may collectively affect psychological and reproductive well-being. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of screen time with emotional well-being, sleep quality, and menstrual distress among undergraduate female university students. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 252 undergraduate female students aged 18–25 years who were currently menstruating, had regular menstrual cycles, and used digital screens for at least two hours per day. Screen time was assessed using device-based Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time records. Emotional well-being was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, sleep quality using the short Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and menstrual symptoms using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26, and Pearson correlation was applied to assess associations. Results: Screen time showed a statistically significant weak positive correlation with emotional distress (r = 0.130, p = 0.039), but no significant correlation with menstrual distress (r = −0.082, p = 0.200) or sleep quality (r = 0.060, p = 0.346). Emotional distress was moderately correlated with menstrual distress (r = 0.593, p < 0.001) and weakly correlated with poorer sleep quality (r = 0.126, p = 0.046). Conclusion: Screen time was weakly associated with emotional distress but was not significantly associated with menstrual distress or sleep quality. Emotional well-being appeared to be the central factor linking psychological, menstrual, and sleep-related health domains.

Article Details

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Vol. 4 No. 10 (2026): Volume 4, Issue 10 (May 2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
S Hareem Zahra Rizvi, Sunniya Kamran, Saira Ilyas, Fizza Massod, Sidra Ali, Azka Maryam, et al. Exploring the Link of Screen Time with Emotional Well-Being, Quality of Sleep and Menstrual Symptoms Among Undergraduate University Students. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 May 16 [cited 2026 May 16];4(10):1-9. Available from: https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1625

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