Problematic Smartphone Research Articles

Psychometric evaluation and measurement invariance of the problematic smartphone use scale among college students: A national survey of 130 145 participants.

Given the insufficient validation of previously imported smartphone addiction scales in China, this study revised and evaluated the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale among Chinese college students (PSUS-C). We based our research on a national sample comprising 1324 higher education institutions and 130 145 participants. Using cross-sectional data, comprehensive methods were employed to examine validity, reliability and measurement invariance. The final scale consists of 20 items across four dimensions: withdrawal and loss of control, negative impact, salience behaviors and excessive use. All Heterotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) values were below 0.85, and the lower 90% and upper 95% confidence intervals were also below 0.85, except for factors 1 and 3. The amount of variance (AVE) values were greater than 0.5, composite reliability (ω) values exceeded 0.89 and all factor loadings were above 0.5. The criterion validity was supported as expected: problematic smartphone usage positively correlated with depression (r = 0.451), loneliness (8 items, r = 0.455), loneliness (6 items, r = 0.504), social media use (r = 0.614) and phone usage duration (r = 0.148); and negatively correlated with life satisfaction (r = -0.218) and self-esteem (r = -0.416). Across sex, type of university and place of residence, the measurement invariance performed well, with most changes in root mean square error of approximation (ΔRMSEA), comparative fit index (ΔCFI) and Tucker-Lewis index (ΔTLI) values being less than 0.005, and no indicator showing a difference greater than 0.010. The Problematic Smartphone Use Scale for College Students (PSUS-C) demonstrated good factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and criterion validity. Strict and structural invariance were demonstrated across sex, type of university and place of residence. The PSUS-C has the potential to assess smartphone addiction among Chinese university students.

Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form in a sample of Italian adolescents.

The primary objective of the present study is to validate the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF) in a sample of Italian adolescents. Additionally, we aim to evaluate its factorial structure by examining the contribution of each subscale (i.e., Nonacceptance, Clarity, Awareness, Goals, Impulse, Strategy) on the general factor using bi-factor models by replicating a past study. The sample comprises N = 704 adolescents aged 11-17 years (M = 13.38, SD = 1.37; 53.12% females). To establish external validity, correlation and path analyses were conducted between the DERS-SF sub-scales, the total score, and measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, as well as Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU). Measurement invariance was tested comparing males versus females and pre-adolescents and adolescents. Overall, results supported the multidimensional nature of the DERS-SF, confirming its original six-factor structure. However, bi-factor models analysis revealed that the Awareness subscale should be excluded when calculating the total score. Furthermore, findings indicated that the Strategy subscale variance is largely accounted for by the general factor rather than the specific subscale. In terms of external validity, significant positive associations between the DERS-SF sub-scales, the total score, and PSU, internalizing and externalizing symptoms were observed. Measurement invariance was supported. Altogether, findings support the validity of the DERS-SF among Italian Adolescents and provide insights relevant to the understanding of the multifaceted facets of emotion regulation, emphasizing its relevance as a transdiagnostic process.

Social Aspects of Problematic Smartphone Use: Development and Validation of the PSSNUS and Mental Health Implications for Spanish Youth

Social Aspects of Problematic Smartphone Use: Development and Validation of the PSSNUS and Mental Health Implications for Spanish Youth

Analyzing User Reviews on Digital Detox Apps: A Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis Approach

ABSTRACTDue to the growing concerns around problematic smartphone use and its negative impact, there is a rising interest in digital detox. While many digital detox apps have been developed in recent years, there is still limited understanding of the long‐term effectiveness of digital detox applications and the attitude of people towards these apps. This study fills this gap by identifying the topics that people post in their reviews on the Google Play Store about digital detox apps and the emotion‐based sentiment of those reviews. A total of 3500 reviews of 25 digital detox apps were collected from the Google Play Store using a scraping tool called “Parsehub.” Data was analyzed using R studio. Sentiment analysis results suggest that positive sentiments dominated the data frame. “Trust” and “anticipation” were the two most expressed emotions in the reviews. Regression analysis confirmed that sentiment scores could explain the ratings of the apps. Through LDA topic modeling four major topics of the reviews were identified and are discussed in detail in the later section of the research paper. The findings of this study may help app developers and marketers improve digital detox apps so that people can learn and practice mindful smartphone use with the help of these apps. This study fills a gap in digital detox research by adopting a new methodological approach and procedure since it combines text mining, sentiment analysis (NRC Lexicon using Syuzhet package), regression analysis, and LDA topic modeling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which uses this research approach in the context of digital detox apps.

Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Smartphone Usage by Students and Resulting Classroom Policies

Currently, 95% of American teenagers own a smartphone device, and smartphone users spend on average about 5.4 hours a day on them. Smartphone ownership, usage, and dependency are higher among teens and young adults than in any other age group. This study addressed a gap in research by examining high school teachers’ perspectives on two topics: the impact of smartphone usage on students and classroom smartphone policies. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the social, psychological, and academic effects of smartphone use on students and of the impact of teachers’ beliefs surrounding smartphones on the classroom policies they set regarding those devices. In addition, this study aimed to shed light on the need to create effective and equitable smartphone policies and practices to help promote a classroom environment conducive to learning. Survey data from 248 teachers from six high schools in the Southern California region of the United States of America produced results indicating that teachers who have stronger negative beliefs concerning the social, psychological and academic effects of smartphones on students typically set a stricter classroom smartphone policy. Implications include helping students regulate their smartphone usage so that these devices can be effective tools for learning, not a distraction. Based on the findings from this study, an increase in face-to-face social interactions among students is recommended to increase academic achievement and decrease problematic smartphone use.

Attachment and problematic smartphone use among Indonesian college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a serial mediation model

Attachment and problematic smartphone use among Indonesian college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a serial mediation model

Insights from the evaluation of a persuasive intervention for absent-minded smartphone use

ABSTRACT Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is a growing concern that hurts users' daily lives and activities. Previous studies have emphasised the importance of developing mindfulness and self-efficacy concerning smartphone use rather than solely focussing on reducing usage. However, there has been little research developing and evaluating digital interventions specifically targeting absent-minded smartphone use. There is also little knowledge on how best mindfulness practice using digital technologies can be integrated with persuasive designs which have been widely studied and implemented for behaviour change. In this paper, we developed a live wallpaper application for Android lock and home screens as a mindfulness-based intervention for absent-minded smartphone use. The application was evaluated over two weeks with 121 participants. This was followed by a semi-structured interview with 15 participants. The results of our analysis show that the intervention reduced absent-minded smartphone use overall. While participants found the various features (especially the customisation features) of the intervention to be persuasive, we found no correlation between perceived persuasiveness and behaviour change. This work provides valuable insights for advancing human-computer interaction (HCI) research on PSU. Additionally, the results raise important questions for future research, such as the relationship between perceived persuasiveness and behaviour change. Finally, we contribute to the discussion on the applications of mindfulness in persuasive technology, challenges and future research areas.

Does Exhaustion Lead to Problematic Smartphone Use or Vice Versa?—A Loss of Control Perspective

Does Exhaustion Lead to Problematic Smartphone Use or Vice Versa?—A Loss of Control Perspective

Exploring Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) among Muslim Adolescents in Southern Thailand: Students and Parents’ Insights

This study aimed to explore problematic smartphone use (PSU) among young Muslim students in Southern Thailand. This research employed a dual-perspective, phenomenological approach, examining PSU from the perspectives of both adolescent Muslim students and their parents. We interviewed 10 participants, through purposive sampling, comprising 5 adolescent Muslim students studying in Southern Thailand and their respective parents. The qualitative data collected was then subjected to thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis. Each theme was further explored and discussed based on its categories and subcategories. The first theme, “Primary Purposes of Using Smartphones”, consisted of: learning, communicating, and relaxation. The second theme, “Types of PSU”, included overusing smartphones and dysfunctional habits. The third theme, “Negative Impacts of PSU”, encompassed physical effects and losing control. The last theme, “Reasons for PSU”, was composed of psychological needs and low regulation as its categories. Moreover, the study highlighted similarities and differences in perspectives on these themes between Muslim adolescents and their parents. The findings and limitations of this research are presented to suggest potential directions for future study and implications.

Subclinical attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours.

Literature emphasises the importance of identifying and intervening in the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours (ULBs) during adolescence at an early stage, to mitigate their long-term detrimental effects. Among the possible associated factors contributing to ULBs, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to play an important role. However, little is known about ADHD subclinical manifestations. The present study aimed to bridge the gap in the literature and shed light on the relationship between subclinical ADHD and early adoption of ULBs during adolescence. Through a clinimetric approach, prevalence of ULBs, severity of ADHD symptoms and psychosocial factors (i.e. allostatic overload, abnormal illness behaviour, quality of life, psychological well-being) were investigated among adolescents. The associations between different degrees of ADHD, ULBs and psychosocial factors were also explored. This multicentre cross-sectional study involved 440 adolescents (54.5% females; mean age 14.21 years) from six upper secondary schools. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, ULBs, ADHD symptoms and psychosocial factors. The most common ULBs were energy drinks/alcohol consumption and problematic smartphone use. Of the sample, 22% showed subclinical ADHD and 20.2% showed clinical ADHD. The subclinical ADHD group showed several ULBs (i.e. altered mindful eating, impaired quality of sleep, problematic technology use) and psychosocial factors, akin to those of ADHD group and different from peers without ADHD symptoms. Since subclinical ADHD manifestation is associated with ULBs, similarly to clinical ADHD, identifying subthreshold symptoms during adolescence is crucial, as it could improve health-related outcomes in adulthood across different domains.

Influence of Smartphone Usage on development of Sexuality among Late Adolescent Boys in Health Sciences Colleges of South India

Background Better affordability of data plans and an increase in “budget” smartphones have resulted in an exponential rise in internet and smartphone users. The ease of access to sexually explicit material (SEM) coupled with adolescents’ impulsivity makes them prone to excessive SEM exposure and may affect the development of sexuality via the perceived realism of such content. This study was done to study the influence between problematic smartphone usage (PSU) and sexuality development among late adolescent boys. Methods One hundred and thirty-four adolescents aged 18-19 years, studying in a medical university, participated in this cross-sectional study. Smartphone Addiction Scale – short version (SAS-SV) to evaluate PSU and a content validated semi-structured proforma to evaluate gender identity, sexual orientation, sources of information on pubertal changes, and exposure to pornographic content was used. We expressed results as proportion and summary measures (Mean±SD), Chi-square test to find influence between PSU and adolescent sexuality development. Results We found a 45.5% prevalence of PSU. Among study participants, 88% were attracted to the opposite sex, 6% were attracted to the same-sex, and 6% were attracted to both sexes. Three per cent of participants liked wearing clothes of the opposite sex, 7.5% wanted to be members of the opposite sex, whereas 10.4% were not comfortable with their genitalia. They obtained information regarding pubertal changes from friends (85) and media (78). Many had exposure to pornographic content (90%), with the youngest being nine years old. Conclusion Nearly half of the late adolescents have PSU. Pornographic contents are accessed through Smartphones.

The longitudinal relationships between problematic smartphone use and anxiety symptoms among Chinese college students: A cross-lagged panel network analysis

Anxiety and problematic smartphone use (PSPU) are prevalent issues among college students, and traditional research has tended to focus on cross-sectional data and grounded only in overall levels, thereby ignoring the complex interactions between the two over time. The development of network analysis methods has provided a new perspective for in-depth exploration of the relationship. This study aimed to explore the complex longitudinal interactions and specific pathways between problematic smartphone use and anxiety among Chinese college students from an internal specific symptom perspective. This study constructed a cross-lagged network model using longitudinal data on problematic smartphone use and anxiety symptoms in two waves of college students collected from 2022 to 2023 (N=741, Mage = 18.49, SD=0.81, 45.6 % male). The study found that anxiety symptoms and problematic smartphone use interacted with each other and had a vicious cycle of symptoms over time, with the effects of anxiety symptoms being more pronounced. “Feeling afraid” and “Uncontrollable worrying” had the most significant effects on the other symptoms, with “Impatient without the phone” and “Can’t stand not having a phone” were more likely to be influenced by other symptoms. “Feeling afraid” may be a bridge symptom in the network to connect the anxiety and problematic smartphone use communities. The findings suggest that accurately intervening in the intrinsic link between problematic smartphone use and anxiety symptoms can combat the exacerbation of both problems simultaneously, resulting in more effective and comprehensive treatment.

Childhood risks and problematic smartphone use: Dual processes of life history strategy and psychological distress

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) and its negative consequences among adolescents are so commonly observed that they have become a matter of public concern. Utilizing life history (LH) theory, this study aims to examine how childhood risks (i.e., childhood harshness and unpredictability) would be associated with adolescent PSU via cognitive and emotional processes of LH strategy and psychological distress. A sample of 459 Chinese high school students aged from 14 to 18 (M = 16.90) participated in this study and voluntarily completed an anonymous survey. The results showed that childhood unpredictability and psychological distress were positively correlated with PSU, whereas childhood harshness and the two processes of LH strategy were negatively correlated with PSU. Path analysis further supported a partial mediation model, in which childhood unpredictability increased PSU, via serial mediators of the emotional process of LH strategy and psychological distress. The findings support the efficacy of LH theory in elucidating the development of behavioral addiction. However, the direct and negative association of childhood harshness with PSU was unexpected. It implicates the complexity of childhood environment on adolescent behavioral addictions and warrants further investigation.

The longitudinal relationships between problematic mobile phone use symptoms and negative emotions: a cross-lagged panel network analysis

BackgroundThe association between problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and negative emotions in university students is not well understood in terms of causality and directionality. This study aims to clarify whether negative emotions trigger PMPU or whether the PMPU itself leads to increased negative emotions over time. MethodsA two-wave longitudinal study was conducted involving 5568 Chinese freshmen who were surveyed at baseline and followed up after one academic year. PMPU, social media use, online game use, fear of missing out, loneliness, social anxiety, and academic burnout were measured. Cross-sectional and longitudinal connections between these variables were examined using network analysis techniques. ResultsThe variable with the strongest influence in both contemporaneous networks was “Productivity loss” of MAPI. Moreover, “Academic burnout” at baseline significantly predicted higher levels of problematic smartphone use and negative emotions at follow-up, suggesting that it may serve as a catalyst for addictive tendencies. Furthermore, we observed bidirectional relationships between “Escapism” and “Social anxiety”, as well as between “Social anxiety” and “Inability to control craving”, suggesting a potential self-perpetuating cycle. ConclusionThese findings highlight the role of academic burnout in initiating cycles of PMPU and negative emotions. In order to effectively tackle PMPU, it is crucial to consider the underlying drivers such as academic burnout and emotional states. This is important due to the complex and reciprocal associations uncovered through our longitudinal network analysis.

Less smartphone and more physical activity for a better work satisfaction, motivation, work-life balance, and mental health: An experimental intervention study

Employees' work satisfaction and mental health are crucial for an organization's productivity. The current experimental study on employees (Ntotal = 278) from different professional sectors and workplaces in Germany investigated how to improve both by changes of daily non-work-related smartphone use time and physical activity time. For one week, the smartphone group (N = 73) reduced its daily smartphone use by one hour, the physical activity group (N = 69) increased its daily physical activity by 30 minutes, the combination group (N = 72) followed both interventions, the control group (N = 64) did not change its behavior. Online surveys assessed work-related and mental health-related variables at three measurement time points (baseline; post-intervention; two-week follow-up). The reduction of smartphone use time and the combination of both interventions increased work satisfaction, work motivation, work-life balance, and positive mental health significantly; experience of work overload and problematic smartphone use significantly decreased. All interventions decreased depressive symptoms and enhanced sense of control significantly. Following the present findings, a conscious and controlled reduction of non-work-related smartphone use time and its combination with more physical activity could improve employees' work satisfaction and mental health in the organizational context either as an addition to established training programs or as a separate time- and cost-efficient low threshold program.

Uncovering the associations between different motivations and the heterogeneity of problematic smartphone use: a person-centered perspective

Uncovering the associations between different motivations and the heterogeneity of problematic smartphone use: a person-centered perspective

Similarities and differences in core symptoms of problematic smartphone use among Chinese students enrolled in grades 4 to 9: A large national cross-sectional study

Children and adolescents are highly susceptible to problematic smartphone usage. We employed network analysis to explore the similarities and differences in the core symptoms of problematic smartphone use across grades 4–9, using a large nationwide sample. This study included 8552 children and adolescents (Mage = 12.98, SD=1.51) who met the critical value for problematic smartphone use. The results showed that the core symptoms of problematic smartphone use exhibit both similarities and differences between grades 4 and 9. ’Withdrawal symptoms’ and ’preoccupation symptoms’ were the stable core symptoms of problematic smartphone use across grades 4 to 9, suggesting that problematic smartphone use begin to appear from earlier grades, such as grade 4. ’Feel impatient and fretful’, ’never give up’ and ’always thinking about’ were the core symptoms in grades 4 and 5. ’Longer than I had intended’ and ’hard to concentrate’ emerged as additional core symptoms in grade 6, with the intensity indicators peaking in grades 8 and 9, suggesting that the issue of problematic smartphone use among Chinese children and adolescents has become intensified and intricate. Symptoms of problematic smartphone use vary across grades and exhibit both continuity and stage specificity. Consequently, to address this issue, the formulation of intervention measures should comprehensively consider both the grade levels and symptoms.

Smartphone use associated with overweight and obesity in adolescents in a family medicine unit in Mexico

Introduction: The use of smartphones has been increasing globally and in the case of adolescents it represents greater vulnerability and health risks. Clinical research that relates Body Mass Index (BMI) or body weight alterations with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) demonstrates an association. However, the specific association of problematic smartphone use with overweight or obesity is limited and inconclusive in adolescents. General objective: To associate smartphone use with overweight and obesity in adolescents in a family medicine unit (FMU). Material and methods: A cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out from September 2022 to December 2023 in a first-level medical unit, in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, in whom the Mobile Phone Problem use Scale (MPPUS-A) was applied and BMI was calculated. A Multiple Binary Logistic Regression (RLM) model was used that included age > 14 years, smartphone use and female sex. Odds Ratio (OR), 95% CI and p. Results: Of 338 subjects, it was found that 39% were overweight or obese and had problematic use of the smartphone. 9.1% of overweight or obese adolescents have an adequate use of the smartphone. In the bivariate analysis, it was found that the inappropriate use of smartphones presented a PMR of 2.68 [95% CI (1.63-4.41)] and p<0.001. The multivariate model showed inappropriate smartphone use with an OR of 1.06 [95% CI (1.73-4.87] with p<0.001 and age > 14 years an OR of 1.68 [95% CI (2.80-10.25)] and p <0.001. Conclusion: Adolescents who have problematic smartphone use and an age > 14 years have a higher risk of being overweight or obese. Longitudinal studies are required to verify the findings shown here.

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Social Media on Sleep Quality of High School Students in Mexico City.

Smartphones, internet access, and social media represent a new form of problematic behavior and can affect how teens sleep. A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the prevalence and association of problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use with sleep quality in a non-probability sample of 190 high school students in Mexico. The internet-related experiences questionnaire (IREQ), the mobile-related experiences questionnaire (MREQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. The study revealed that 66% of participants exhibited some form of problematic internet use, primarily in the form of social media use; 68% had some form of problematic smartphone use, and 84% reported poor sleep quality. The PSQI score was most accurately predicted by problematic smartphone use (MREQ), followed by enrollment in the morning school shift, participation in sports, the father's education level, and knowledge that "smartphone use disturbs sleep", which together explained 23% of the variation in sleep quality. Excessive smartphone use may negatively affect sleep quality in adolescents. We recommended that interventions be implemented to educate adolescents about appropriate and healthy use of technology, in parallel with the promotion of preventive sleep habits.

The Associations Between the Problematic Social Media and Smartphone Use, Social Phobia, and Self-Esteem: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

AbstractSocial phobia has often been associated with problematic social media use (PSMU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU). Studies have also shown an association between social phobia and self-esteem. However, no studies have analyzed the relationship between social phobia, self-esteem, PSMU, and PSU in an integrated model. The present study hypothesized that social phobia may influence PSMU and PSU through the role of self-esteem. A cross-sectional study comprising 400 Italians (74.75% female) with a mean age of 37.11 years (SD = ± 10.83) participated in the study that included Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Severity Measure for Social Phobia Disorder, and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale. The results indicated direct positive associations between social phobia and both types of problematic technology use (PSMU and PSU). The results also indicated that self-esteem was a partial mediator in this complex relationship, suggesting that excessive technology use could be a way to compensate for low self-esteem among individuals with social phobia. The present study contributes to the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between social anxiety, self-esteem, and problematic technology use.