Publication Date
2024
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Department
Public Health, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Research
Faculty Advisor
Christian Williams
SPARK Session
10:15-11:45 Public Health Scientific Inquiry
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
Introduction: Previous studies have documented an association of excessive blue wavelength light exposure with negative health consequences including reduced sleep time, lower sleep quality, and emotional symptoms. The increased use and ubiquity of mobile blue wavelength light-emitting devices raises the possibility of prevalent negative effects on sleep and quality of life, particularly among college-aged individuals where use of these devices is especially frequent.
Methods: In 2024, cross-sectional, internet survey-based study designed to examine the relationship between self-reported exposure to mobile devices and measures of sleepiness and quality of life. Eligible participants were undergraduate students at Belmont University, aged 18+ years at enrollment. Mobile device exposure was assessed using investigator-developed questions that measured average daily usage (in hours per day). Sleepiness was evaluated through an electronic version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Quality of life was measured using the Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA), which assesses overall quality of life and well-being across four domains: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. The remaining survey items captured demographic data including commuter status. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. The Final sample size was 36 participants.
Results: Device exposure was excessive (7-10 hours) in 23 (63.8%) respondents, medium (4-6 hours) in 7 (19.4%) respondents, and low (0-3 hours) in 5 (13.8%). Median ESS scores did not differ substantially between excessive, moderate, and low self-reported device exposure groups. Overall quality of life scores varied by device exposure level. Low self-reported device exposure was associated with the lowest LASA overall quality of life scores (median=5), while medium exposure was associated with the highest scores (median=7), and high exposure had an intermediate score (median=6). A similar trend was observed for LASA emotional quality of life/well-being subscale scores, with median scores of 5 for low exposure, 7 for medium exposure, and 6 for high exposure. Median scores for the remaining domain-specific LASA items did not vary substantially by self-reported mobile device exposure.
Discussion: In this small cohort of Belmont Undergraduate students, there did not appear to be important variations in sleepiness according to self-reported mobile device exposure, moderate device exposure may be associated with better quality of life than low or excessive device exposure. This hypothesis awaits further evaluation in larger cohorts of undergraduate college students.
Recommended Citation
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