Psychological processes linking problematic smartphone use to sleep disturbance in young adults

Abstract

ObjectivesWith such high rates of sleep and mental health problems among undergraduate students, understanding potential antecedents of these interrelated problems has emerged as a critical area of examination. One potential factor underlying these problems is problematic smartphone use, which is defined as excessive phone use, impulse control problems related to the use, and negative consequences stemming from these behaviors. Accordingly, the current study sought to examine how relative changes in problematic smartphone use might impact college students’ sleep disturbance via their psychological functioning (ie, psychological inflexibility and anxiety symptoms). MethodsThe 2-wave (baseline and 2-month follow-up) online sample consisted of 385 undergraduates (81% female; M = 20.0, SD = 1.6), who reported problematic smartphone use, psychological flexibility, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbance. ResultsControlling for baseline levels of sleep hygiene, age, and gender, our model demonstrated a significant indirect effect from problematic smartphone use to sleep disturbance. Specifically, relative increases from baseline to the 2-month follow-up in students’ problematic smartphone use predicted subsequent increases in psychological inflexibility, which predicted increases in anxiety symptoms, which, in turn, predicted increases in sleep disturbance. ConclusionsGiven the ubiquity of college students’ smartphone use, the potential for problematic use remains high. Results suggest that the negative consequences of problematic smartphone use not only can include college students’ mental health but also their sleep. With such high levels of college students suffering from mental health and sleep problems, clinicians and college administrators should consider the potential sequelae of the problematic use of smartphones.