RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although some studies have related social media use and depressive symptoms, little is known about the role of psychoactive substance use in this relationship. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the association between time spent on social media (TSSM) and depressive symptoms and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by psychoactive substances in students. METHODS: Our cross-sectional analysis included a sample of students from a university in a large city in southern Brazil. The TSSM and tobacco frequency of consumption were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire. Alcohol and illicit drug-related risks were assessed with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Hayes's PROCESS macro was used for mediation analyses, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index and physical activity. RESULTS: A total of 3161 students were included, of which, 69.0% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The association between TSSM and depressive symptoms was statistically significant and partially mediated by tobacco consumption (indirect effect [IE] = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.08), alcohol-related risk (IE = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.14-0.25), and illicit drug-related risk (IE = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.05-0.12). CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest a direct relationship between TSSM and depressive symptoms, with a partial mediation effect of psychoactive substance use. This study highlights the importance that public health initiatives aimed at preventing depressive problems in young adults should focus not only on TSSM, but also on controlling and reducing psychoactive substance use.
RESUMO
Objective To investigate the impact of sleep quality on postural control in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study with 41 schoolteachers (mean age 45.7 ± 10.4 years). Sleep quality was assessed in two ways: objectively (through actigraphy), and subjectively (through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Postural control was assessed in an upright posture during 3 trials of 30s (bipedal and semitandem stances in rigid and foam surfaces with eyes open) with a period of rest across trials, on a force platform, based in the center of pressure measurements in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality in this study sample was 53.7% ( n = 22). No differences were found between Poor and Good sleep in the posturographic parameters (p > 0.05). Although, there was moderate correlation between postural control in the semitandem stance and subjective sleep efficiency for center of pressure area (rs = -0.424; p = 0.006) and amplitude in anteroposterior direction (rs = -0.386; p = 0.013). Discussion There is correlation between poor sleep quality and postural control in schoolteachers, as sleep efficiency decreases, postural sway increases. Poor sleep quality and postural control were investigated in other populations, but not in teachers. Several factors such as work overload, insufficient time for physical activities, among others, can contribute to a worse perception of sleep quality, as well as deterioration in postural control. Further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these findings.