Novel hybrid approaches to measure smartphone addiction—Application of statistical and triangular fuzzy techniques

Abstract

The paper evaluates the levels of smartphone addiction among students using statistical and fuzzy analysis approaches. By using Smartphone Addiction Test (SAT) scores, the data were treated using fuzzy operators, and the relationships were analyzed by applying the statistical techniques. The respondent's addiction level scores were converted into a fuzzy environment through the triangular approach, and demographic characteristics of the respondents were compared to levels of smartphone addiction. The percentage of respondents with mild and moderate levels of addiction to smartphones was found to be high in the study. Gender, age groups, and years of usage were also associated with addiction to smartphones. However, the level of smartphone addiction was not much different based on whether the students are staying with parents or away from their parents. Among the dimensions measuring smartphone addiction, “lack of control” was ranked first. The dimension, “excessive use,” was found to be the second‐highest influencer of smartphone addiction level. Respondents, to no small extent, were students pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs. Adolescents and other demographic groups can be considered for future studies. Future studies can also focus on using other fuzzy approaches to evaluate the data on smartphone addiction. The study offers prioritized dimensions to be focused on containing the levels of addiction among individuals. Moreover, the ranking of items helps in guiding individuals to look into the problem areas and take the appropriate actions. Measurement of levels of smartphone addiction using a novel hybrid combination of statistical approach and triangular fuzzy approach was carried out in the study. The critical dimensions and items showing the influence on smartphone addiction were ranked.