Exploring the Relationship between Device Use and Stress: A Biosocial Approach

• In Event: Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 13: Stress and Mental Health

Abstract

Over the last several decades, technological advances have changed the way we communicate, work, socialize, and provide – trends that became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when school, work, and social lives were forced online for many. While research has begun to examine the social and psychological implications of technology use, few have examined the biological and physiological consequences of the proliferation of technology in everyday life. Combining main survey, time diary, and biomarker data from the National Couples’ Health and Times Study (NCHAT), this study takes an interdisciplinary biosocial approach to answer the following questions: (1) What is the association between time spent on devices (smartphones, tablets, and/or laptops) and inflammatory biomarkers of stress, operationalized as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)? (2) What is the association between well-being (happiness, stress, and engagement) during device use and inflammatory biomarkers of stress, operationalized as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)? Preliminary results revealed that age moderated the relationship between time spent on a device and IL-6. For younger adults, spending more time on devices was associated with higher levels of IL-6. The positive association between device time and IL-6 was weakened with age. Additionally, higher average engagement levels during device use were associated with lower CRP. Thus, it might be possible that device-related activities that require higher engagement, like FaceTiming family members, might actually be beneficial, physiologically. Finally, higher average stress levels during device use were associated with higher IL-6 levels. This study has the potential to contribute to the literature on “embodiment,” as device-related stress could be another social stressor that “gets under the skin,” resulting in inflammation and physiological changes.

Authors

• Emma Goldstein, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

• Claire M. Kamp Dush, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

• Lisa M. Christian, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center