Problematic smartphone use on mental health: a systematic mapping study and taxonomy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although many benefits emerge from the growing capabilities of smartphones, there are also concerns related to the long-term hyper-connected experience. Based on a systematic mapping method, this study investigates the primary factors of problematic smartphone use (PSU). Initially, this mapping considered ten academic databases, which allowed the analysis of 436 studies, and the creation of a taxonomy that categorises technology addiction topics such as the Internet, Smartphones, Video games, and Electronic devices. After the initial search and filtering, the study selected and deeply analysed 115 articles concerning the PSU influences on mental health, proposing a taxonomy to classify mental disorders and common symptoms related to PSU. The outcomes suggest that those who fear missing out on important events, females, depressed, anxious, and bored people are prone to PSU, reinforcing the importance of understanding the factors that lead a person to use smartphones in a problematic way and alternatives to help people cope with PSU. Scales such as the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and strategies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and limiting smartphone access are being used to handle PSU. Finally, this study presents implications and recommendations for future research in this area.