Smartphone Addiction Research Articles

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.

"To Assess the Prevalence of Smartphone Addiction and Its Impact on Sleep Quality Among School Going Students of Rural and Urban Areas of Belagavi –A Cross Sectional Study"

"To Assess the Prevalence of Smartphone Addiction and Its Impact on Sleep Quality Among School Going Students of Rural and Urban Areas of Belagavi –A Cross Sectional Study"

Weak and interfered self-control fails to block problematic mobile phone use: The role of craving and desire thinking

Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has become a worldwide phenomenon with negative impacts on adolescents’ daily lives. While self-control has been shown to be related to PMPU, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this association. Based on the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model and the strength model of self-control, the current study aims to examine the association between self-control and PMPU, to identify the indirect role of craving, and to determine whether and how the two components of desire thinking exert differential moderating effects. A sample of 1424 adolescents was recruited to complete the scales of self-control, craving, desire thinking, and PMPU. The results suggested that self-control was indirectly associated with PMPU through craving. Furthermore, this indirect association was moderated by verbal perseveration, rather than imaginal prefiguration. Specifically, the indirect association was stronger for adolescents with higher verbal perseveration. The findings deepen our understanding of how self-control is related to PMPU and distinguish the effects of two components of desire thinking among adolescents.

Associations between smartphone addiction, parenting styles, and mental well-being among adolescents aged 15–19 years in Gujarat, India

BackgroundThe pervasive use of smartphones among adolescents has raised concerns about addiction and its impact on mental well-being. This study investigates the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its associations with socio-demographic factors, parenting styles, and mental health among Indian adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 school-going adolescents (aged 15–19) in Gujarat, India, from January to October 2023. Data was collected using validated scales: the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with smartphone addiction.ResultsThe prevalence of smartphone addiction was 64.6%. Urban residence (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.8–3.3), higher parental education (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.7–4.3 for graduate fathers), longer smartphone use (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.7–3.6 for > 3 years), and higher socioeconomic status (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5–3.51) were associated with increased odds of addiction. Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles in both parents were positively associated with smartphone addiction, while authoritative parenting was negatively associated. Smartphone addiction was strongly associated with mental health issues, particularly with severe stress (AOR: 10.82, 95% CI: 5.11–22.88, p < 0.001).ConclusionSmartphone addiction is highly prevalent among Indian adolescents and is significantly associated with urban living, higher socioeconomic status, non-authoritative parenting styles, and poor mental health. These findings underscore the need for digital literacy programs, parenting interventions promoting authoritative styles, and mental health support to foster healthy smartphone use among adolescents.

Exploring the impact of smartphone addiction on mental health among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of resilience and parental attachment

Smartphone addiction is an increasingly severe issue in modern society, particularly impacting the mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction and mental health issues among college students, and the mediating and moderating roles of psychological resilience and parental attachment. We employed a cross-sectional study design with 100,097 college Chinese students to examine the relationships between smartphone addiction, mental health (anxiety and depression), and the mediating role of psychological resilience. Parental attachment was assessed as a moderator within these relationships. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and mediation/moderation models, controlling for relevant covariates. Our findings revealed a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and both anxiety and depression. Psychological resilience mediated these relationships, suggesting that higher resilience levels can mitigate the negative psychological impacts of smartphone addiction. Additionally, parental attachment moderated the effects of smartphone addiction on psychological outcomes; stronger attachment was associated with less pronounced effects of addiction on anxiety and depression. Specifically, for students with low parental attachment, the predictive effect of smartphone addiction on anxiety and depression was more pronounced, whereas higher attachment levels were protective.

The co-occurrence of adolescent smartphone addiction and academic burnout: The role of smartphone stress and digital flourishing

The co-occurrence of adolescent smartphone addiction and academic burnout: The role of smartphone stress and digital flourishing

Nomophobia and smartphone addiction as correlates of senior secondary school students’ mathematics anxiety

Technology has revolutionised everyday existence. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is essential to society, employment, and education. Improved microelectronics has facilitated the proliferation of inexpensive portable devices such as smartphones. This study, therefore, investigated whether senior secondary school students' nomophobia and smartphone addiction are linked to math anxiety. Two research hypotheses were tested and the study was guided by social cognitive theory. This study employed a descriptive survey research methodology and primary data were collected from 397 students in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria with the use of the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q, α=0.89), the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV, α=0.82), and the Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MAS, α=0.81) developed by Yildirim and Correia (2015), Kwon et al. (2013), and Ablian and Parangat (2022) respectively. The data gathered were subjected to analysis using frequency counts, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis at 0.05 significance level. This analysis was conducted using SPSS software, specifically version 23.0. The research revealed a significant association between nomophobia and smartphone addiction among the students. Additionally, the severity of nomophobia and smartphone addiction emerged as significant predictors of mathematics anxiety among high schools in Lagos. Consequently, this investigation proposes that educational authorities in Lagos State should consider implementing a ban on mobile phone usage within secondary schools as a means to mitigate these behavioural addictions among adolescents. Additionally, stakeholders within the education sector, including parents, can contribute to the prevention of these addictions by advising students about the perils of smartphone addiction, fostering ethical social interactions that cultivate trust in the family unit, and imposing restrictions on their children's smartphone usage and associated expenses.

Physical activity moderated the mediating effect of self-control between bullying victimization and mobile phone addiction among college students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between bullying victimization and mobile phone addiction (MPA) among college students, taking into consideration the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of physical activity. A self-report survey was administered to college students from 4 universities in Guangxi, Liaoning, and Hunan provinces in China. Participants were asked to report their experiences of bullying victimization, level of MPA, self-control, and physical activity. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data. Mediation and moderation models were subsequently established to examine the relationships between variables. The results indicated a positive correlation between bullying victimization and MPA among college students. Additionally, bullying victimization was negatively correlated with self-control. Bullying victimization significantly predicted MPA, and self-control partially mediated this relationship. Furthermore, physical activity moderated the association between bullying victimization and self-control among college students. The findings suggest that self-control plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between bullying victimization and MPA among college students. Moreover, physical activity weakens the association between bullying victimization and self-control. Therefore, promoting physical activity to reduce MPA among college students who have experienced bullying victimization is highly recommended.

Smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders in students

Objective: Smartphone addiction may lead to many health issues. Excessive smartphone usage has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders and sleep problems. We aimed to examine the correlation between smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders. Materials and Methods: 60 university students were included in the study. Individuals' smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders were evaluated with the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), respectively. Results: There was a weak correlation between SAS and PSQI’s sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction subscales, PSQI total score, and CMDQ’s lower extremity and spine subscales (p=0.021; p=0.020; p=0.008; p=0.008; p=0.029; p=0.019). There was a well correlation between SAS and CMDQ’s upper extremity subscale and CMDQ total score (p=0.001) Conclusion: It was concluded that as smartphone addiction increases in students, musculoskeletal disorders increase. Smartphone addiction was particularly associated with the neck, shoulder, back, upper arm, wrist and hip regions. It was also concluded that smartphone addiction worsens sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction and general sleep quality.

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 Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Sleep Quality in Youth of GMIM “Eben Haezar” Kaaten Congregation

Sleep is a vital process for human recovery, occurring predominantly during rest. High-quality sleep is essential for the recovery process, helping to alleviate excessive fatigue, while poor sleep quality can lead to reduced immunity. One significant issue affecting young people today is sleep quality, which is influenced by various factors, including smartphone use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality among the youth of the GMIM "Eben Haezar" Kaaten. Conducted in August 2024, this cross-sectional study included all 173 youth registered in the GMIM Youth SIT, with a research sample consisting of 63 respondents. The study variables were smartphone addiction and sleep quality, analyzed using univariate and bivariate methods. Results showed that 36 respondents (57.1%) experienced a high level of smartphone addiction, while 28 respondents (44.4%) reported poor sleep quality. The study concluded a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality, with a p-value of 0.010 and a significance level of α = 0.05.

Study protocol of a proposed Neurofeedback-Assisted Mindfulness Training Program on symptoms of anxiety and psychological distress associated with smartphone use in young adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Nomophobia is a specific phobia characterized by the appearance of anxiety, nervousness, discomfort and distress when the mobile phone is not used and is considered an emerging public health problem because of the negative consequences on the physical and mental health of young people and adolescents, especially women. Neurofeedback-Assisted Mindfulness Training Programs may prove beneficials for improving self-control abilities, a key ability in addressing addictive behaviors. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact, in a young population aged 18-35 years, of an intervention based on Neurofeedback-Assisted Mindfulness Training Program (NAMTP) on disorders associated with problematic use of mobile phones. The effect of the intervention on the total score in the nomophobia test and habits of internet and social network use, as well as on signs of depression, anxiety and stress will be analyzed. As a secondary objective, the effect of the intervention on signs of insomnia will be analyzed. Randomized, controlled clinical-trial with two-parallel groups. 40 young adults (18-35 years) will be included and randomly assigned to Intervention Group-NAMTP or Control Group (CG). The NAMTP will include a total of 25 sessions (2-3/week) during 3-months. Each session will have a duration of 10/15 min. The instrument to be used for the neurofeedback sessions is MUSE® (InteraXon Inc.). Study variables will be collected at the baseline visit and at the final visit (3-months after randomization). During these visits, questionnaires will be administered to evaluate the main and secondary variables that will include the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, Nomophobia Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-item (DASS-21) and Athens Insomnia Scale. This trial will make an important contribution to the need for evidence of effective education programs and other primary care interventions through new non-invasive interventions in reducing the risk of developing addictions to new technologies and alleviating the symptoms of discomfort associated with this problem. The project was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Salamanca Health Area (CEIm Code: PI 2023 071340). ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.Clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06188910.

Psychological Balances in the Digital World: Dynamic Relationships Among Social Media Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, Academic Self-Efficacy, General Belongingness, and Life Satisfaction.

In the present era, the rapidly growing social media trends of the digital age have the potential to affect the psychological well-being of individuals. In this context, understanding how Social Media Addiction (SMA) interacts with various factors is important to understanding its potential impact on individuals' psychosocial health. In particular, the prevalence of SMA and its strong relationship with important variables such as anxiety, depression, stress, academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, and life satisfaction have received considerable attention from researchers and the society. This research aims to address the relationship between SMA and these variables in a holistic manner. The research further explored the relationship between life satisfaction and depression, anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and general belongingness. The research is based on a study conducted with 616 students (388 female and 228 male; 17-32 age range) at a state university in the Southeast of Turkey. Personal information form, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, General Belongingness Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. Using a structural equation modeling approach, the research not only examined the significant relationships but also examined the mediating and moderating effects in more detail. According to the research results, SMA significantly affects academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, stress and anxiety. Academic self-efficacy and general belongingness both impact life satisfaction. However, SMA does not have a significant effect on life satisfaction. Moreover, it is revealed general belongingness play effective roles in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. As a result of the research, it was revealed that gender plays a moderating role in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. It has been observed that gender has a moderating role in the relationships between academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety and stress and life satisfaction. Conversely, there is no moderating influence of gender on the impact of SMA on academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety, or stress. Consequently, the relationships between SMA and other variables play an important role in understanding their effects on individuals' mental health.

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.

How Distressed Are Adolescent Students? A Mix-Method Study on High School Students in Northern Italy, Two Years after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Adolescence is a central phase for the development of a person's identity, involving complex multidimensional changes and increasing vulnerability to distress. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being of adolescent students in Brescia (Northern Italy), two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey investigated the extent and the reasons reported by high school students (13-21 years) for their emotional distress (ED), also considering other factors such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep and smartphone overuse. The main reasons for ED were classified through a qualitative analysis of the free-text answers. A total of 1686 students agreed to participate, and 50% showed a presence of ED. According to a multiple logistic analysis, adolescents were more at risk of ED if they were female (AdjOR 2.3), older (AdjOR 1.6), slept less than 8 h (AdjOR 1.5), perceived increased anxiety (AdjOR 3.4), and adopted certain eating behaviors, e.g., comfort food consumption (AdjOR 2.0). According to free-text answers, the main reasons for ED were "school pressure", "relationships with family and peers", "negative emotional states" and "the pandemic". The results show a high level of ED among adolescents, and the reported reasons may help to better address their psychological needs after the pandemic.

Mobile phone addiction among left-behind children in Rural China: a Meta-analysis

Mobile phone addiction among left-behind children in Rural China: a Meta-analysis

Association of electronic screen exposure with depression among women in early pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevious studies indicated that excessive engagement in digital devices could lead to negative psychological impacts in general population. We aimed to determine the association of electronic screen exposure with depression among women in early pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to June 2022. A total of 665 women in early pregnancy were recruited and the information included socio-demographic characteristics, screen exposure and Patient Health Questionnaire − 9 depression scale.ResultsAmong the women in early pregnancy, the total daily smartphone viewing time was the longest (median [P25-P75], 5 [3–6] hours/day) in the three types of electronic screen exposure. The total daily smartphone viewing time (P = 0.015, OR[95%CI] = 1.09[1.11–1.18]), smartphone (P = 0.016, OR[95%CI] = 1.24[1.04–1.47]) and television viewing time (P = 0.006, OR[95%CI] = 1.35[1.09–1.67]) before nocturnal sleep were significantly associated with depression among women in early pregnancy. The thresholds calculated by receiver operator characteristic curves were 7.5 h/day, 1.5 h/day and 1.5 h/day, respectively. In addition, women with higher scores of smartphone addiction were more susceptible to depression (P<0.001, OR[95%CI] = 1.11[1.07–1.16]). The top three smartphone usages in women with depression were watching videos (22.0%), listening to music (20.9%) and playing games (16.7%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, electronic screen exposure, including screen viewing time, smartphone addiction and problematic smartphone use was associated with depression among women in early pregnancy. Further studies are warranted to verify the conclusions.

The influence of organizational caring on mobile phone addiction in undergraduate nursing students: The chain mediating role of perceived stress and self-control

BackgroundThe incidence of mobile phone addiction (MPA) is increasing in undergraduates and may lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Undergraduate nursing students are important group for clinical services; therefore poor mental health has an important implications for the quality of future nursing work and the relationship between nurses and patients. ObjectivesTo explore the connection between organizational caring and MPA in Chinese undergraduate nursing students and to investigate the mechanisms of perceived stress and self-control in this relationship by constructing a chain mediation model. DesignA cross-sectional study. MethodsA total of 900 participants (age range 18–25 years, M = 20.99, SD = 1.58, 94.0 % female) were recruited from 10 universities in China. Data were collected using an online survey between February and March 2023. Organizational caring, subjective stress, self-control ability, and MPA among undergraduate nursing students were assessed. Results(1) The prevalence of MPA was 34.9 % (314/900). (2) MPA in undergraduate nursing students was negatively correlated with self-control (r = −0.468, p < 0.001) and organizational caring (r = −0.156, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with perceived stress (r = 0.362, p < 0.001). (3) Perceived stress and self-control mediated the relationship between organizational caring and MPA, and the relative mediating effect values were 16.6 % and 17.2 %, respectively. (4) Organizational caring had an indirect effect on MPA through the chain mediation effect of perceived stress and self-control, and the relative mediating effect value was 19.1 %. ConclusionOrganizational caring, perceived stress and self-control directly influenced MPA among undergraduate nursing students. Additionally, organizational caring indirectly affected MPA through perceived stress and self-control. To further mitigate MPA among students, nursing managers and educators should enhance organizational caring, reduce perceived stress, and improve self-control abilities.

“A Study To Assess The Attitude Of Parents On Addiction Of Smartphone Among Children InSelected Area Of Makhnumajra Baddi, Distt. Solan, [H.P

Aim of study to assess the level of attitude of parents on addiction of smartphone among children in selected area of Makhnumajra, Baddi, Distt. Solan. Material And Methods: A quantitative research approach, non-experimental, descriptive research design was used in this study. The sample was selected by random sampling technique. Sample size was 120. A Likert scale was used to assess the level of attitude of parents regarding addiction of smartphone among children in selected area of Makhnumajra Baddi. The tool was validated by the experts and found to be valid for this study. The results show that out of 120 parents, 3.33% were disagree, 33.33% were strongly disagree, 10.00% were agree and 53.33% were strongly agree regarding addiction of smartphone among children. The study participants showed strongly agree regarding addiction of smartphone and significant association was found among socio demographic variables as education of mother. Study Findings Regarding level of attitude of parents among addiction of smartphone of childrenwere found to be like this: The level of attitude of parents regarding addiction of smartphone among children revealed that out of 120 parents 4(3.33) parents were disagree, 40(33.33) parent were strongly disagree, 12(10.00) parents were agree and 64(53.33) parents were strongly agree regarding addiction of smartphone of children. With regard to the association between the attitude regarding addiction of smartphone by children among parents and selected socio- demographic variables in the present study findings revealed that there was a significantly associated with mother’s education. Conclusion: The study shows that parents of Makhnumajra Baddi were strongly agree related to addiction of smart phone among children