Social Media Addiction, Sleep Disturbance, Emotional Dysregulation, and Academic Performance Among School-Aged Children: A Serial Mediation Analysis
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Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the serial mediating roles of sleep disturbance and emotional dysregulation in the relationship between social media addiction and academic performance among school-aged children aged 6-12 years.
Method: A cross-sectional explanatory study was conducted among 760 school-aged children aged 6-12 years recruited from primary schools in Holy Kerbala City, Iraq, using stratified cluster random sampling. Data were collected using four validated instruments: The Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), and a standardized School Performance Scale. Serial mediation analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping to test the hypothesized pathway.
Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe social media addiction was 68.4%, with a mean SMAS score of 99.2 (SD = 17.4). Mean sleep duration was only 5.8 hours (SD = 1.3), far below the recommended 9-12 hours. Emotional dysregulation was markedly elevated (mean DERS = 56.3, SD = 12.1). The serial mediation model demonstrated good fit (CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.061). Social media addiction had a significant negative total effect on academic performance (β = -0.44, P = 0.001). The total indirect effect through the serial pathway was significant (β = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.24 to -0.12), accounting for 40.9% of the total effect. The specific serial indirect effect (addiction → sleep disturbance → emotional dysregulation → performance) was β = -0.08 (95% CI: -0.12 to -0.04). Maternal education (P = 0.009) and family income (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with addiction severity.
Conclusion: Emotional dysregulation is a significant serial mediator linking social media addiction to poor academic performance through sleep disturbance. These findings support social learning theory, suggesting how maladaptive media habits may disrupt biological (sleep) and emotional regulatory systems. School-based interventions should target not only sleep hygiene, but also emotion regulation skills training.
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6. Patel R, McQueen E, Gold C. Balancing Digital Media Exposure: Enhancing Language and Social Development in Early Childhood. Pediatr Rev. 2025;46(5):245-57.
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16. Salerni N, Messetti M. Emotion Regulation, Peer Acceptance and Rejection, and Emotional-Behavioral Problems in School-Aged Children. Children (Basel). 2025;12(2).
17. Achak D, Azizi A, Boutib A, Chergaoui S, Youlyouz-Marfak I, Elmadani S, et al. Self-esteem, body image, and associated factors among female and male university students: A cross-sectional study. J Educ Health Promot. 2025;14:45.
18. Mohebbi-Dehnavi Z, Noroozi M. Investigating the relationship between happiness and self-esteem with self-efficacy in the clinical performance of midwives working in medical centers and comprehensive health services. J Educ Health Promot. 2024;13:463.
19. Koutroubas V, Galanakis M. Bandura’s social learning theory and its importance in the organizational psychology context. Psychology. 2022;12(6):315-22.
20. Maia C, Braz D, Fernandes HM, Sarmento H, Machado-Rodrigues AM. The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children's Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review. Children (Basel). 2025;12(2).
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23. Salari N, Zarei H, Rasoulpoor S, Ghasemi H, Hosseinian-Far A, Mohammadi M. The impact of social networking addiction on the academic achievement of university students globally: A meta-analysis. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2025;9:100584.
24. Şahin C. Social Media Addiction Scale--Student Form. TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 2019.
25. Guermazi F, Abid W, Baati I, Cherif F, Mziou E, Mnif D, et al. Social media addiction and personality dimensions among Tunisian medical students. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1471425.
26. Neamat AS, Shawq AH, Mohammed WJ. Association between digital addiction and sleep habits for preschool children. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2022;16(6):507.
27. Kaufman EA, Xia M, Fosco G, Yaptangco M, Skidmore CR, Crowell SE. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF): Validation and Replication in Adolescent and Adult Samples. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2016;38(3):443-55.
28. Fekih-Romdhane F, Kanj G, Obeid S, Hallit S. Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the brief version of the difficulty in emotion regulation scale (DERS-16). BMC Psychol. 2023;11(1):72.
29. Malak MZ, Shuhaiber AH, Al-amer RM, Abuadas MH, Aburoomi RJ. Correlation between psychological factors, academic performance and social media addiction: model-based testing. Behaviour & Information Technology. 2022;41(8):1583-95.
30. Lu JX, Zhai YJ, Chen J, Zhang QH, Chen TZ, Lu CL, et al. Network analysis of internet addiction and sleep disturbance symptoms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023;125:110737.
31. Al-Mamun F, Mamun MA, MM AL, Gozal D. Social Media Addiction and Sleep Quality Among High School Graduates in Bangladesh: A Network Perspective. Nat Sci Sleep. 2025;17:2901-18.
32. Okely AD, Ghersi D, Loughran SP, Cliff DP, Shilton T, Jones RA, et al. A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines. The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years): An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2022;19(1):2.
33. Almarzouki AF, Mandili RL, Salloom J, Kamal LK, Alharthi O, Alharthi S, et al. The Impact of Sleep and Mental Health on Working Memory and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Study. Brain Sci. 2022;12(11).
34. Sorter M, Chua J, Lamy M, Barzman D, Ryes L, Shekhtman JA. Management of Emotion Dysregulation and Outbursts in Children and Adolescents. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022;24(3):213-26.
35. Yan S, Liu Z, Peng P, Yan N. The reciprocal relations between externalizing behaviors and academic performance among school-aged children: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Educational Psychology Review. 2024;36(4):120.
36. Twigg L, Duncan C, Weich S. Is social media use associated with children's well-being? Results from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. J Adolesc. 2020;80:73-83.
37. Li H, Luo M, Duan B, Kawulia A, Su M, Di H. Family socioeconomic status and young children digital addiction: a moderated mediation model. Front Psychol. 2024;15:1435575.
38. O’Brien W, Belton S, Fitzpatrick B, Shannon S, Brennan D, Chambers F, et al. Relationship between gender, physical activity, screen time, body mass index and wellbeing in Irish children from social-disadvantage. Child Care in Practice. 2024;30(3):220-34.
39. de la Fuente J, Martínez-Vicente JM, Santos FH, Sander P, Fadda S, Karagiannopoulou A, et al. Advances on Self-Regulation Models: A New Research Agenda Through the SR vs ER Behavior Theory in Different Psychology Contexts. Front Psychol. 2022;13:861493.
40. de la Fuente J, Martínez-Vicente JM, Santos FH, Sander P, Fadda S, Karagiannopoulou A, et al. Advances on Self-Regulation Models: A New Research Agenda Through the SR vs ER Behavior Theory in Different Psychology Contexts. Front Psychol. 2022;13:861493.
41. Njardvik U, Smaradottir H, Öst LG. The Effects of Emotion Regulation Treatment on Disruptive Behavior Problems in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol. 2022;50(7):895-905.
2. Dienlin T, Johannes N. The impact of digital technology use on adolescent well-being Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020;22(2):135-42.
3. Khaleghi A, Mohammadi MR, Shahi K, Nasrabadi AM. Computational Neuroscience Approach to Psychiatry: A Review on Theory-driven Approaches. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2022;20(1):26-36.
4. Jiang Y, Li Y. The role of nutrition and gut microbiome in childhood brain development and behavior. Front Nutr. 2025;12:1590172.
5. Xiao W, Manyi G, Khaleghi A. Deficits in auditory and visual steady-state responses in adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2022;151:368-76.
6. Patel R, McQueen E, Gold C. Balancing Digital Media Exposure: Enhancing Language and Social Development in Early Childhood. Pediatr Rev. 2025;46(5):245-57.
7. Rahman M, Sarkar P, Haque SE, Rabiul Islam GM, Haque MN, Roy TK, et al. Technology Addiction: Effects of Electronic Games and Social Media Use on Academic Performance and Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorders Among School-Age Adolescents. Health Sci Rep. 2025;8(7):e71045.
8. Karim F, Oyewande AA, Abdalla LF, Chaudhry Ehsanullah R, Khan S. Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2020;12(6):e8627.
9. Jalil M, Jabbar W. Impact of Smartphones Addiction upon Primary School Pupil's Achievements at Al-Rusafa Educational Directorate in Baghdad City. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties. 2020;33(2):85-97.
10. Al-Wily MAS, Al-Waly LAM. Association between time consumption of electronic screens with eating behaviors and academic performance for pupils in elementary schools. J Educ Health Promot. 2025;14:36.
11. Hamilton JL, Lee W. Associations Between Social Media, Bedtime Technology Use Rules, and Daytime Sleepiness Among Adolescents: Cross-sectional Findings From a Nationally Representative Sample. JMIR Ment Health. 2021;8(9):e26273.
12. Pirdehghan A, Khezmeh E, Panahi S. Social Media Use and Sleep Disturbance among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Iran J Psychiatry. 2021;16(2):137-45.
13. Chandranaik D, Goyal JP, Singh K, Kumar P. Association of digital media use with sleep habits in school children: A cross-sectional study. Sleep Med X. 2024;8:100117.
14. Richardson C, Magson NR, Oar E, Fardouly J, Johnco C, Freeman J, et al. Repetitive negative thinking mediates the relationship between sleep disturbance and symptoms of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in adolescence: Findings from a 5-year longitudinal study. Clin Psychol Sci. 2025;13(1):104-27.
15. Dubuc MM, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Karelis AD. Predictors of Academic Performance in High School Students: The Longitudinal ASAP Study. Int J Exerc Sci. 2022;15(4):616-31.
16. Salerni N, Messetti M. Emotion Regulation, Peer Acceptance and Rejection, and Emotional-Behavioral Problems in School-Aged Children. Children (Basel). 2025;12(2).
17. Achak D, Azizi A, Boutib A, Chergaoui S, Youlyouz-Marfak I, Elmadani S, et al. Self-esteem, body image, and associated factors among female and male university students: A cross-sectional study. J Educ Health Promot. 2025;14:45.
18. Mohebbi-Dehnavi Z, Noroozi M. Investigating the relationship between happiness and self-esteem with self-efficacy in the clinical performance of midwives working in medical centers and comprehensive health services. J Educ Health Promot. 2024;13:463.
19. Koutroubas V, Galanakis M. Bandura’s social learning theory and its importance in the organizational psychology context. Psychology. 2022;12(6):315-22.
20. Maia C, Braz D, Fernandes HM, Sarmento H, Machado-Rodrigues AM. The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children's Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review. Children (Basel). 2025;12(2).
21. López-Martínez LF, Carretero EM, Carrasco MA, Pérez-García AM. Self-Regulation, Emotional Symptomatology, Substance Use, and Social Network Addiction in Adolescent Self-Harm. Behav Sci (Basel). 2025;15(3).
22. Liu Y, Lin Y, Zhao S, Wang F, Yuan Q, Tong Y. Mobile Phone Addiction and Academic Procrastination in Adolescents: The Serial Mediating Roles of Self-Regulation and Psychological Resilience and the Moderating Role of the Parent-Child Relationship. Brain Behav. 2026;16(1):e71169.
23. Salari N, Zarei H, Rasoulpoor S, Ghasemi H, Hosseinian-Far A, Mohammadi M. The impact of social networking addiction on the academic achievement of university students globally: A meta-analysis. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2025;9:100584.
24. Şahin C. Social Media Addiction Scale--Student Form. TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 2019.
25. Guermazi F, Abid W, Baati I, Cherif F, Mziou E, Mnif D, et al. Social media addiction and personality dimensions among Tunisian medical students. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1471425.
26. Neamat AS, Shawq AH, Mohammed WJ. Association between digital addiction and sleep habits for preschool children. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2022;16(6):507.
27. Kaufman EA, Xia M, Fosco G, Yaptangco M, Skidmore CR, Crowell SE. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF): Validation and Replication in Adolescent and Adult Samples. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2016;38(3):443-55.
28. Fekih-Romdhane F, Kanj G, Obeid S, Hallit S. Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the brief version of the difficulty in emotion regulation scale (DERS-16). BMC Psychol. 2023;11(1):72.
29. Malak MZ, Shuhaiber AH, Al-amer RM, Abuadas MH, Aburoomi RJ. Correlation between psychological factors, academic performance and social media addiction: model-based testing. Behaviour & Information Technology. 2022;41(8):1583-95.
30. Lu JX, Zhai YJ, Chen J, Zhang QH, Chen TZ, Lu CL, et al. Network analysis of internet addiction and sleep disturbance symptoms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023;125:110737.
31. Al-Mamun F, Mamun MA, MM AL, Gozal D. Social Media Addiction and Sleep Quality Among High School Graduates in Bangladesh: A Network Perspective. Nat Sci Sleep. 2025;17:2901-18.
32. Okely AD, Ghersi D, Loughran SP, Cliff DP, Shilton T, Jones RA, et al. A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines. The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years): An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2022;19(1):2.
33. Almarzouki AF, Mandili RL, Salloom J, Kamal LK, Alharthi O, Alharthi S, et al. The Impact of Sleep and Mental Health on Working Memory and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Study. Brain Sci. 2022;12(11).
34. Sorter M, Chua J, Lamy M, Barzman D, Ryes L, Shekhtman JA. Management of Emotion Dysregulation and Outbursts in Children and Adolescents. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022;24(3):213-26.
35. Yan S, Liu Z, Peng P, Yan N. The reciprocal relations between externalizing behaviors and academic performance among school-aged children: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Educational Psychology Review. 2024;36(4):120.
36. Twigg L, Duncan C, Weich S. Is social media use associated with children's well-being? Results from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. J Adolesc. 2020;80:73-83.
37. Li H, Luo M, Duan B, Kawulia A, Su M, Di H. Family socioeconomic status and young children digital addiction: a moderated mediation model. Front Psychol. 2024;15:1435575.
38. O’Brien W, Belton S, Fitzpatrick B, Shannon S, Brennan D, Chambers F, et al. Relationship between gender, physical activity, screen time, body mass index and wellbeing in Irish children from social-disadvantage. Child Care in Practice. 2024;30(3):220-34.
39. de la Fuente J, Martínez-Vicente JM, Santos FH, Sander P, Fadda S, Karagiannopoulou A, et al. Advances on Self-Regulation Models: A New Research Agenda Through the SR vs ER Behavior Theory in Different Psychology Contexts. Front Psychol. 2022;13:861493.
40. de la Fuente J, Martínez-Vicente JM, Santos FH, Sander P, Fadda S, Karagiannopoulou A, et al. Advances on Self-Regulation Models: A New Research Agenda Through the SR vs ER Behavior Theory in Different Psychology Contexts. Front Psychol. 2022;13:861493.
41. Njardvik U, Smaradottir H, Öst LG. The Effects of Emotion Regulation Treatment on Disruptive Behavior Problems in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol. 2022;50(7):895-905.
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How to Cite
1.
Kadhim Ashour Q, Matsher Al-Musawi K. Social Media Addiction, Sleep Disturbance, Emotional Dysregulation, and Academic Performance Among School-Aged Children: A Serial Mediation Analysis. Iran J Psychiatry. 2026;:1-11.
