The influence of smartphone reduction on heart rate variability: a secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial

Previous studies show that parents play a critical role in developing adolescents’ excessive media use. However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of parental depression on adolescents’ excessive smartphone use. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether perceived parental depression can predict adolescents’ excessive smartphone use and whether adolescents’ psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety, account for the association between perceived parental depression and adolescents’ excessive smartphone use from a sample of 1,156 adolescents. The hypothesized model was tested using hierarchical regression and the PROCESS macro (Model 4). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that perceived parental depression positively predicts adolescents’ excessive smartphone use. Additionally, mediation analyses revealed that the effects of perceived parental depression on adolescents’ excessive smartphone use were mediated by adolescents’ depression and anxiety. The results provide evidence of the direct effect of perceived parental depression on adolescents’ excessive smartphone use and the indirect effects of adolescents’ depression and anxiety on this relationship. These results have meaningful implications from the theoretical and applied perspectives. The directions for future research are also discussed.

Excessive smartphone use has recently attracted researchers’ attention. Previous studies have suggested that state anxiety and motivations are important predictors of excessive smartphone use. However, few studies have investigated how motivations and state anxiety interact with each other, and the subsequent impact on excessive smartphone use. In the current study, based on the Compensatory Internet Use theory, we analyzed the moderating role of state anxiety on the relationship between two types of motivations (i.e. entertainment and social interaction) and excessive smartphone use. Using the Smartphone Addiction Scale for College Students (SAS-C), Smartphone Usage Motivation Scale and State Anxiety Scale (S-Anxiety), we investigated 600 Chinese college students who identified themselves as smartphone users. Results indicated that: (1) for the high smartphone-use group, state anxiety moderates the relationship between entertainment and social interaction motivations and excessive smartphone use; (2) for the low smartphone-use group, state anxiety does not moderate the relationship between entertainment and social interaction motivations and excessive smartphone use. Our study emphasized the importance of psychological well-being variables (i.e. anxiety in this study) in facilitating excessive smartphone use, and may provide guidance for the design of interventions targeted at people suffering from excessive smartphone use.

Loneliness and excessive smartphone use among Chinese college students: Moderated mediation effect of perceived stressed and motivation

BackgroundExcessive smartphone use is a new and debated phenomenon frequently mentioned in the context of behavioral addiction, showing both shared and distinct traits when compared to pathological gaming and gambling.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to describe excessive smartphone use and associated factors among adolescents, focusing on comparisons between boys and girls.MethodsThis study was based on data collected through a large-scale public health survey distributed in 2016 to pupils in the 9th grade of primary school and those in the 2nd grade of secondary school. Bayesian binomial regression models, with weakly informative priors, were used to examine whether the frequency of associated factors differed between those who reported excessive smartphone use and those who did not.ResultsThe overall response rate was 77% (9143/11,868) among 9th grade pupils and 73.4% (7949/10,832) among 2nd grade pupils, resulting in a total of 17,092 responses. Based on the estimated median absolute percentage differences, along with associated odds ratios, we found that excessive smartphone use was associated with the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances. The reporting of anxiety and worry along with feeling low more than once a week consistently increased the odds of excessive smartphone use among girls, whereas anxiety and worry elevated the odds of excessive smartphone use among boys. The reporting of less than 7 hours of sleep per night was associated with excessive smartphone use in all 4 study groups.ConclusionsThe results varied across gender and grade in terms of robustness and the size of estimated difference. However, excessive smartphone use was associated with a higher frequency of multiple suspected associated factors, including ever having tried smoking, alcohol, or other substances; poor sleep; and often feeling low and feeling anxious. This study sheds light on some features and distinctions of a potentially problematic behavior among adolescents.

This paper reviews the literature on the impact of excessive smartphone use on social health. With the growing popularity of smartphones, there has been an increasing concern about the impact of excessive smartphone use on social health. This review examines the factors contributing to excessive smartphone use, the impact of excessive smartphone uses on social health, and strategies for managing smartphone use to promote healthy social relationships. The literature review highlights that excessive smartphone use can have negative effects on social health, such as social isolation, decreased face-to-face communication, and increased anxiety and depression. Factors contributing to excessive smartphone use include addiction, fear of missing out, and boredom. However, several strategies can be effective in managing smartphone use, such as setting boundaries, practising mindfulness, and engaging in alternative activities. The paper concludes with implications for future research, including the need for further studies to explore the long-term effects of excessive smartphone use on social health, the effectiveness of different strategies for managing smartphone use, the underlying mechanisms that contribute to excessive smartphone use, and the impact of social media platforms on social health. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who are interested in understanding the impact of excessive smartphone use on social health and developing effective strategies for managing smartphone use to promote healthy social relationships.

Although excessive smartphone use has been confirmed as being associated with specific representations of mental health (e. g., anxiety, depression, wellbeing, etc.) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the relationship between excessive smartphone use and cognitive representations of mental health (i.e., psychological safety) is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to identify the association between excessive smartphone use and psychological safety among university freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition, we examined the mediation effects of hardiness and interpersonal distress in this relationship. In this study, 1,224 university freshmen were selected at random from several universities in Guizhou Province of China. The Psychological Safety Scale was used to evaluate the mental health of university freshmen; the Mobile Phone Dependence Scale was used to evaluate excessive smartphone use; the Hardiness Questionnaire was used to evaluate hardiness; and the Interpersonal Relation Synthetic Diagnose Test was used to evaluate interpersonal distress. The findings showed that: (1) the greater the degree of excessive smartphone use, the more serious respondents' interpersonal distress and the lower their hardiness; (2) excessive smartphone use was not only directly related to the psychological safety of university freshmen but also indirectly related to their psychological safety through the independent mediation of hardiness and interpersonal distress, as well as through the chain mediation of hardiness and interpersonal distress. In general, excessive smartphone use in university freshmen could lead to a decline in their psychological safety. Also, hardiness and interpersonal distress play a complex role in this relationship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, interventions on the mental health of college freshmen should not only provide guidance on how to use their smartphone responsibly but also to provide them with support and guidance for the enhancement of their hardiness and improvement of their interpersonal relationships.

Excessive smartphone use has recently become a topic of interest. Prior studies have suggested that psychological well-being variables and motivations are important predictors of excessive smartphone use. However, few have examined the internal mechanism of these factors in leading to excessive smartphone use. Based on Compensatory Internet Use theory, we investigated the moderating role of psychological resilience between two types of motivation — escapism and social interaction — and excessive smartphone use. Selecting 576 typical smartphone users, we found: (1) Escapism motivation and psychological resilience significantly correlate with excessive smartphone use, whereas social interaction motivation does not; (2) Psychological resilience moderates the relationship between both escapism and social interaction motivation and excessive smartphone use. Our study demonstrates the mechanism of different types of motivation and the protective effect of psychological resilience on excessive smartphone use. Thus, we emphasize resilience training that would help train people to be able to cope with life problems more effectively.

Problematic smartphone use is the excessive use of the smartphone with negative impacts on the quality of life of the user. We investigated the association between social anxiety and excessive smartphone use. The sample consisted of 140 participants, 73 male and 67 female university students with a mean age of 26 years and 4 months (SD = 3.38), who filled in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). Results showed a positive association between social anxiety and excessive smartphone use. Social anxiety explained 31.5% of the variance of ratings on the SAS. A second study investigated the interaction between abstinence and sensation seeking and excessive smartphone use. The sample consisted of 60 participants, 44 female and 16 male university students. The sample was divided into two experimental conditions: 30 participants were abstinent for 1.5 h from the smartphone and 30 participants were non-abstinent. Results showed that excessive smartphone use increased in the group that abstained compared to those who did not. Secondly, participants who had high baseline sensation-seeking ratings had higher scores of excessive smartphone use after abstinence compared with those with low ratings of sensation seeking. These studies indicate the contribution of social anxiety to problematic smartphone use and how it can be exacerbated by the combination of abstinence and high sensation seeking.

Introduction Sleep disorders constitute a significant public health concern recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the ICD (International Classification of Diseases), with notable implications for young populations. Research demonstrates that disrupted sleep patterns significantly impair mental recovery processes and emotional stability [1]. Poor sleep quality contributes to mental health deterioration through disruption of emotional regulation and neurobiological mechanisms. Inadequate sleep compromises hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, increasing cortisol production and stress perception, potentially leading to depressive symptoms [2]. Young adults represent the population stratum with the highest smartphone and electronic device usage rates, sometimes developing behavioural dependencies. Studies show that light exposure to these devices before falling asleep significantly disrupts sleep quality [3]. Moreover, excessive smartphone use is associated with reduced cognitive performance, negatively affecting work efficiency and academic achievement [4]. This study investigates the interactions between sleep disorders, mental health, electronic device usage, and academic performance among university students. We specifically examine how sleep quality and quantity influence students' psychological functioning, with particular attention to psychological distress. Methods The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [5], the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) [6] and the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) [7] were used to assess sleep quality, mental distress and problematic smartphone use, respectively. Descriptive statistics were expressed as Mean (SD), for continuous variables, and as count/percentages for categorical variables. “Good sleepers” and “Poor sleepers” were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and Student's t-test or the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables, with significance at P < 0.05. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Variables with significant univariate association (p < 0.05) were included in the multivariate model, with results expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results This cross-sectional study involved 208 students from the University of Palermo, with 58.7% (n=122) enrolled in medical degree programs. The average age of the sample was 22±1.99 years, and 71.6% were female. The analysis revealed that 61.54% (n=128) of students had inadequate sleep quality. Univariate analysis showed that their exam completion rate (80.1%) was lower than that one reported for good sleepers (83.5%) (p < 0.05). On average, daily smartphone use was higher among poor sleepers (6.46±3.03 vs 5.57±2.22 hour/day, p < 0.05), and a significant association was found between poor sleep quality and the risk of problematic smartphone use (OR=2.83, 95%CI [ 1.27-7.00], p < 0.05). Furthermore, results from K10 revealed that reporting severe psychological distress was significantly associated to poor sleep quality (OR=13.25, 95%CI= [5.34-37.28], p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis confirmed that higher daily smartphone usage, measured in hours, is associated with poor sleep quality (AdjOR=1.21; 95% CI [1.02-1.45]) and, notably, subjects with high probability of severe psychological distress have significantly higher likelihood of being classified as poor sleepers (AdjOR = 9.59, 95% CI = [3.57-28.82]). Discussion Our analysis revealed a strong association between psychological distress (K10 scale) and poor sleep quality among university students. Students experiencing significant psychological distress showed markedly higher likelihood of being poor sleepers, confirming bidirectional relationships between mental health and sleep, as documented in previous research. Daily smartphone uses also emerged as a significant predictor of poor sleep quality, aligning with literature on electronic devices' detrimental effects on sleep hygiene. Smartphone light emissions, particularly blue light, suppress melatonin production and disrupt circadian rhythms [8]. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing sleep health within university mental health and academic support initiatives. The strong psychological distress-sleep quality association suggests interventions targeting either aspect may benefit the other. Universities should consider implementing screening programs to identify students at risk of sleep disorders, especially those reporting psychological distress symptoms. Additionally, digital hygiene education should be incorporated into student wellness programs to mitigate electronic devices' negative impact on sleep. Conclusions The study highlights the link between psychological distress, smartphone use, and sleep quality in university students. The strong connection between mental health struggles and sleep issues underscores the need to integrate sleep health into mental health services. Universities should promote well-being and responsible technology use to enhance academic performance and overall student health.

Smartphones and other mobile-related technologies are commonly viewed as indispensable tools for enhancing human cognition; prolonged use of these devices may have a detrimental and long-term effect on users’ abilities to think, recall, and pay attention. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of phone usage on people’s cognitive capacities. Excessive smartphone use may have a detrimental effect on an individual’s mental health. It has the ability to affect an individual’s memory, capacity for effective thought, and cognitive and learning capacities. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of smartphone use on people’s cognitive abilities. Excessive smartphone use and cognitive failures were measured using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (Kwon et al., 2013) and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (Broadbent et al., 1982; revised by Wallace et al., 2002), which were used to collect data from 200 young adults using a purposive sampling strategy. Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to measure the strength of the relationship between the variables, and regression analysis was used to measure the function relating to the variables. The results of the study conclude that excessive smartphone use is related to forgetfulness, distractibility, and false triggering. Hence, it can be concluded that excessive use of smartphones may be prone to cognitive failures such as forgetfulness, distractibility, and false triggering. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to a higher risk of cognitive impairment.

The association between autistic traits and excessive smartphone use in Chinese college students: The chain mediating roles of social interaction anxiety and loneliness

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of excessive smartphone use on attention, balance, sleep quality, and quality of life. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted with 77 individuals (59 females, 18 males; mean age: 21.4±5.4 years; range, 17 to 43 years) between September 2024 and January 2025. Participants were divided into two groups according to the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS): low smartphone use (LSU) and excessive smartphone use (ESU). One-leg standing test (OLST), functional reaching test (FRT), Stroop test (TBAG form), timed up and go (TUG) test, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered to both groups. Results: The mean SAS score was 100.87±30.00 (range, 50 to 158). The mean SAS score of females was higher than those of males (p<0.001). There was no difference between the groups in terms of eyes open OLST, FRT, and TUG test (p<0.05). The eyes closed OLST score, the Stroop 4 score, the sleep quality, and all subscale scores of SF-36 were worse in the ESU group than in the LSU group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Excessive smartphone use negatively affects balance, attention, sleep quality, and quality of life. Limiting smartphone use, particularly in children and teenagers, is essential to prevent these issues.

BACKGROUND: We are in the second decade of the 21st century and technology has enveloped us in such a way that it is the technological gadgets that help us to open our eyes in the morning (i.e., alarm on a smartphone or an alarm clock), and it is the same technological devices that accompany us to our bed and remain there till we close our eyes at the night. The most important and multifunctional gift that the technology has provided us is the “Smartphone,” that has impacted our lives negatively. Smartphone addiction is a new kind of health disorder that is increasing the risk of severe health problems including sleep disturbances among adolescents. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to find out the association between excessive smartphone use and sleep disturbances among adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 adolescents, who were selected by nonprobability purposive sampling technique. Standardized Smartphone Addiction Scale Short-Version and Pittsburgh's Sleep Quality Index were used to assess the smartphone addiction and sleep disturbances among the participants, respectively. The correlation between smartphone addiction and sleep disturbances was found by Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that majority of the participants (99 [66%]) had high smartphone addiction and minority of them (51 [34%]) had low smartphone addiction. Out of 150 participants, 80 (53.33%) showed high sleep disturbances, whereas 70 (46.67%) showed low sleep disturbances. The study findings showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.8921) between excessive smartphone use and sleep disturbances among adolescents. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that excessive smartphone use affects both the sleep quality and sleep quantity of adolescents; moreover increased smartphone addiction leads to increased sleep disturbances among them.

Introduction: The widespread integration of smartphones into daily life has raised concerns about their potential impact on Sleep Quality (SQ). Excessive smartphone use, particularly before bedtime, may contribute to sleep disturbances through prolonged screen exposure, cognitive stimulation and night-time interruptions. Given the critical role of sleep in overall health and wellbeing, understanding the association between problematic smartphone use and sleep disturbances is essential. Aim: To examine the association between Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU) and SQ among adults, highlighting its potential impact on sleep patterns and overall wellbeing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Indira Medical College and Hospitals, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India from January to June 2024. A total of 92 adult participants were included in the study. Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) was assessed using a modified PMPU Questionnaire, while SQ was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Correlation analysis, multiple regression and logistic regression were performed to examine relationships and identify predictors of SQ. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between PMPU scores and PSQI scores (r=0.61, p-value <0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified the PMPU score as the strongest independent predictor of poor SQ (β=0.512, p-value <0.001), even after controlling for age, gender and mobile phone use duration. The association was strongest among younger participants (18-25 years: r=0.68, p-value <0.001) and slightly more pronounced in females (r=0.65, p-value <0.001). Logistic regression confirmed that each 10-point increase in PMPU score raised the odds of poor SQ by 2.35 times (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.62-3.41, p-value <0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between PMPU and decreased SQ. Beyond screen time and content, PMPU represents an important factor influencing sleep health.

Objective Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a type of social anxiety defined as “intense concern that others may be experiencing rewarding experiences without one's presence,” which can lead to illness. Excessive smartphone use is often associated with FOMO. This study aimed to investigate FOMO among medical university students, as well as factors associated with sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and excessive smartphone use.Materials and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using electronic questionnaires and the following scales: FOMO scale/score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS SV).Results Participants included 142 individuals (mean age 23.73 ± 4.98 years, 97 [68.3% female]). All participants were smartphone users. Fear of missing out was present (FOMO score 22.08 ± 6.71) along with poorer sleep quality (PSQI 7.26 ± 3.08) and excessive smartphone use (SAS SV 30.21 ± 10.20). Moderate/severe anxiety (BAI) was reported by 35.2% of participants, while 16.9% had moderate/severe depression (BDI). Positive correlations were found between PSQI and FOMO (p < 0.05), as well as between SAS SV and FOMO (p < 0.001), PSQI (p < 0.001), BAI (p < 0.001), and BDI (p < 0.001).Discussion High levels of FOMO, poorer sleep quality, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and excessive smartphone use were found among medical students. Furthermore, a positive correlation was demonstrated between these factors, which can directly impact the physical and mental health, as well as the academic performance of these young individuals.