Determination of Predictive Relationships between Problematic Smartphone use, Self-regulation, Academic Procrastination and Academic Stress through Modelling

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between problematic smartphone use, self-regulation, academic procrastination and academic stress among university students was examined. The theoretical model constructed to explain the predictive relationships between variables was tested using path analysis. Research data was collected from a sample of 632 university students (68.2% male, 31.2% female) using scales for smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, academic self-regulation, and academic-expectations-related stress. Collected data was checked for suitability for path analysis, thereafter a valid model was constructed making appropriate data modifications in the process. Path analysis results showed that; (i) self-regulation is a significant negative predictor for problematic smartphone use, (ii) problematic smartphone use is a significant predictor for both academic procrastination and academic stress, while (iii) self-regulation is a significant negative predictor for academic procrastination and a significant positive predictor for academic stress. Therefore, it can be said that problematic smartphone use has a negative impact on academic development for university students.