(PS12-86) The Impact of Technology Use on Adolescent Mental Health Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Age, Race, and Parental Monitoring

Saturday, November 16, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown

Author(s)

Amy So, B.S.

Graduate Student
Montclair State University
East Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Co-Author(s)

MM

Megan Moreno, M.P.H., M.D., Other

Senior Program Manager & PI of the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
CO

Chelsea Olson, Ph.D.

Research Scientist on SMAHRT, Program Manager of TAM
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
JR

Jazmin Reyes-Portillo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey, United States

Abstract Text: Given the ubiquity of adolescent technology use, there are growing concerns about technology consumption and potential negative mental health outcomes. Previous studies have shown that increased technology use is associated with increased depression symptoms and substance use behaviors in youth. Parental monitoring of adolescent technology use may decrease time spent online, and as a result, attenuate negative mental health outcomes. Yet, research suggests that parental monitoring can vary according to adolescent age and family race/ethnicity. Given the increasing concerns surrounding the negative effects of technology use on adolescent mental health, it is important to further examine the impact of parental monitoring on the link between adolescent mental health outcomes and technology use. This study seeks to clarify how parental monitoring practices may moderate the relationship between adolescent technology use, depression symptoms, and substance use behaviors among adolescents of different ages and ethnoracially minoritized backgrounds.

Data was drawn from the Youth Health and Social Media Study, a cross-sectional study examining the impact of social media use on adolescent mental health. Participants were 2206 adolescents (13-18 years) who completed an online survey including measures assessing technology use (Adolescents Digital Technology Interactions Scale), parental rules (Technology Rules Scale), and depression symptoms (PHQ-8). Adolescents were also asked to report their age, race, ethnicity, and their usage of various substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis.

Of the 2206 participants, most were aged 15-18 (74.1%). About half the participants self-identified as biologic/cis female (49.9%). With regard to race/ethnicity, 47% self-identified as White/Caucasian, 21.5% Black/African American, 6.7% Asian/Pacific Islander, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, 4% multiracial, 1.7% Native American/Alaskan Native, and 1.2% identified as other races. Poster analyses will include Pearson’s correlations to examine bivariate associations between all technology use, parental rules, and depression and substance use behaviors. Linear regression analyses will also examine if parental rules about adolescent technology use moderate the association between adolescent technology use, depression symptoms, and substance use behaviors and if age and race may be additional moderators.

We aim to elucidate factors that may decrease negative mental health outcomes associated with technology consumption in youth populations. Understanding the potential impact of parental monitoring practices on adolescent technology use across different ages and ethnoracially minoritized backgrounds provides valuable insight into addressing youth mental health needs.