Doomscrolling, Span of Attention and Sleep Quality among Youth

Abstract

This study examined the cognitive effects of doomscrolling among youth, with a focus on two critical dimensions of mental well-being: Span of Attention and Sleep Quality. Six hypotheses were formulated: 1) There would be negative correlation between Doomscrolling tendency and Span of Attention among Youth. 2) There would be negative correlation between Doomscrolling tendency and Sleep Quality. 3) There would be positive correlation between Span of Attention and Sleep Quality among Youth. 4) Male and Female respondents would differ significantly in terms of Doomscrolling tendency. 5) Male and Female respondents would differ significantly in terms of Span of Attention. 6) Male and Female respondents would differ significantly in terms of Sleep Quality. A sample of 75 male and 75 female students were selected from Patna. Doomscrolling Questionnaire, DQ-12 (2024), The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (2003) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (1989) were taken as research tools. Correlation analyses and independent samples t-tests were chosen as statistical tools. The findings highlight doomscrolling as a general cognitive risk factor rather than a gender-specific phenomenon. The relationship between Doomscrolling tendency and Span of Attention came as negative which means that over consumption of negative online news and information impacts individual’s ability of sustained focus. A negative correlation among Doomscrolling and Sleep Quality among Youth implies that with the increase in the negative news and information consumption the sleep hygiene of the individual is adversely impacted. The gender differences in the study are not significant which means that even though gender impacts the effect of these variables but other factors like pattern of digital content consumption, personality factors, lifestyle habits also need to be considered.

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