LONGER screen time was associated with poorer dermatology-related quality of life among adolescents with skin disease.
Screen Time and Adolescent Skin Disease
Researchers examined relationships among media use, psychological well-being, health values, and quality of life in 208 adolescents ages 11–18 years with chronic dermatological conditions. Participants were recruited during routine dermatology visits between September 2024 and March 2025.
Acne vulgaris was the most common diagnosis, affecting 61.1% of participants, followed by atopic dermatitis in 18.3% and psoriasis in 10.6%. The mean participant age was 15.3 years.
Validated questionnaires assessed dermatology-related and general quality of life, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, life satisfaction, and health behaviors. The researchers also used an exploratory questionnaire developed specifically to assess digital media habits, including screen time, social media platforms, short-form video consumption, and skincare-related content.
Average daily screen time was 4.5 hours. YouTube was used by 75.5% of participants, Instagram by 67.8%, and TikTok by 65.9%. Most participants spent fewer than 2 hours daily viewing short-form videos.
Quality of Life Tracks Psychosocial Health
Greater dermatology-related quality-of-life impairment was significantly associated with poorer overall quality of life, lower self-esteem, a more negative body image, and greater anxiety. Higher anxiety was also associated with lower life satisfaction and poorer perceived health.
The average Dermatology Life Quality Index score indicated that chronic skin disease had a small overall effect across the sample. However, participants had elevated average anxiety levels, while some reported body dissatisfaction and uncertain self-esteem.
Stronger health values were associated with more favorable health behaviors and improved well-being. Health, family, security, happiness, and honesty were among the values participants rated as particularly important.
Psychosocial Screening May Strengthen Dermatology Care
The findings support incorporating anxiety, self-esteem, and body image screening into routine adolescent dermatology care. Media literacy education may also help adolescents evaluate skincare information and distinguish credible clinical guidance from influencer content.
The researchers cautioned that the cross-sectional design cannot establish whether screen time or psychological symptoms caused poorer dermatology-related quality of life. Recruitment from one clinical center, self-reported media habits, the absence of objective disease-severity measures, and the nonvalidated media questionnaire also limit interpretation.
Further longitudinal studies could clarify how chronic skin disease, digital media exposure, health values, and psychosocial well-being interact over time.
Reference
Dinnyés KJ et al. Chronic Skin Disease, Media Use and Health Values in the Quality of Life of Adolescents. Children (Basel). 2026;13(7):899.
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