Uso de mídias na adolescência e sua influência sobre o diagnóstico de transtorno de déficit de atenção e desempenho da memória de trabalho no início da vida adulta

Abstract

The increase in media use in recent decades is a worldwide phenomenon. However, prior studies that had evaluated the effect of media use on mental health, had conflicting results. Still, studies with adolescents are scarce. This thesis aimed to evaluate the association of media use throughout adolescence with ADHD and working memory in early adulthood from three studies. The first study evaluated the association between screen time in adolescence and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 22 years old in the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort. ADHD symptoms at 22 years was positively associated with television time at 11 years, computer time at 18 years and total screen time at ages 11, 15, and 18 years. Television time at 11 years and total screen time at 18 years were associated with diagnosis of ADHD at 22 years of age. The second study explored the association between measures of screen time in adolescence and Working Memory (WM) at 22 years; also, mediation analysis was performed using intelligence quotient (IQ) and short-term memory as possible mediators. In men, television and video game time at 11 years and computer at ages 11 and 15 years had a positive effect on WM. Also, these effects were mediated through IQ. In women there was no significant association between screen time measures at ages 11, 15, and 18 and WM. The third study was a systematic review of longitudinal studies that assessed the association between media use and working memory in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases.