Sleep Quality as a Mediator in the Relationship between Screen Time and Impulsivity

Purpose: Digital natives have grown up in a tech-dominated environment. To understand the screen time-impulsivity link, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between screen time and impulsivity.Method: The research sample consisted of 203 Alzahra University students in Tehran during 2023-2024 were selected by the cluster random sampling. The questionnaires used were Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI).Finding: The structural model showed positive relationship between screen time watching and impulsivity and there was significant and negative relationship between sleep quality and impulsivity. Mediation analysis showed screen time watching related to impulsivity via sleep quality (quantity and consequences of low quality), indicating that screen time watching may contribute to low quality of sleep and it may lead to impulsive behaviors.