The use of gadgets and their relationship to poor sleep quality and social interaction on mid-adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Background: Mid-adolescents dominate the number of gadget users in Indonesia. The use of gadgets to a high intensity can cause various problems such as poor sleep quality and decreased social interaction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the intensity of the use of gadgets and the quality of sleep and social interaction in adolescents. Method: The research design used was a correlational research study with a cross-sectional approach. Through the calculation of the sample, the respondents were 250 adolescents who met the inclusion criteria, namely (1) adolescents aged 15-18 years and (2) teens who owned and used gadgets. The sampling method used simple random sampling by conducting a lottery system in each class. The independent variable was the intensity of using the gadget, while the dependent variable was the quality of sleep and social interaction. Data collection focused on the intensity of gadget use using questionnaires and it was analyzed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). The data was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation with α = 0.05. Results: The results showed that the intensity of gadget use was positively related to poor sleep quality in adolescents (p = <0.001; r = 0.555). The intensity of the use of gadgets was also related to social interaction with a negative direction. The higher the intensity of the use of gadgets, the lower the social interaction in adolescents (p = 0.001; r = -293). Conclusion: The use of gadgets in the mid-adolescent years is related to sleep disorders as regards the latency and duration of sleep. Adolescents are more likely to engage in social interaction and communication through gadgets than face to face.