Media multitasking linked to depression

Using multiple forms of media at the same time - such as playing a computer game while watching television - is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to new study.

Michigan State University’s Mark Becker, lead investigator on the study, said he was surprised to find such a clear association between media multitasking and mental health problems.

“We don’t know whether the media multitasking is causing symptoms of depression and social anxiety, or if it’s that people who are depressed and anxious are turning to media multitasking as a form of distraction from their problems,” said Becker.

While overall media use among American youth has increased 20 per cent in the past decade, the amount of time spent multitasking with media spiked 120 per cent during that period, Becker said.

For the study, Becker and fellow MSU researchers Reem Alzahabi and Christopher Hopwood surveyed 319 people on their media use and mental health.

Participants were asked how many hours per week they used two or more of the primary forms of media, which include television, music, cell phones, text messaging, computer and video games, web surfing and others.

Becker said future research should explore cause and effect. If it turns out media multitasking is causing depression and anxiety, recommendations could be made to alleviate the problem, he said.

If depressed or anxious people are turning to media multitasking, that might actually help them deal with their problems. It could also serve as a warning sign that a youngster is becoming depressed or anxious.

“Whatever the case, it’s very important information to have. This could have important implications for understanding how to minimise the negative impacts of increased media multitasking,” Becker said in a statement.