Smartphone Use Research Articles

Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Neck Pain Among University Students

Background: Smartphone addiction is increasingly common among university students and has been linked to musculoskeletal issues, particularly neck pain, due to prolonged improper postures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on neck pain among university students.Objective: To evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck pain among university students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2023 among 219 university students aged 18-35. Data were collected using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Convenience sampling was used, and exclusion criteria included neurological disorders, prior neck surgeries, or musculoskeletal diseases. Ethical approval was obtained following the Helsinki Declaration. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Chi-square tests and multivariate analysis were applied to assess associations, with a significance level of p < 0.05.Results: 34.2% of participants reported neck pain related to smartphone use. Among them, 43.8% experienced mild pain while reading on smartphones. The NDI showed that 15.1% had moderate pain, while 4.1% experienced fairly severe pain.Conclusion: Excessive smartphone use is significantly associated with neck pain among university students. Preventive strategies and ergonomic awareness are recommended to reduce neck strain.

A Correlational Study Between Quality of Sleep and the Smartphone Usage among the Students of Dy Patil College of Nursing and Dy Patil College of Physiotherapy Kolhapur

Introduction: Introduction: As multipurpose gadgets that offer information, entertainment, and communication, cellphones have become an essential part of daily life in the current digital era. But their widespread presence, particularly at night, raises serious questions about how they affect the quality of sleep. A burgeoning public health concern is the rising incidence of sleep disorders. Sleep is essential for good health since it affects mental clarity, emotional control, and physical well-being. Because blue light from screens suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep-wake cycles, it can throw off the circadian rhythm. Moreover, engaging with stimulating content might postpone the start of sleep, such as social media or work-related activities. Sleep is aggravated by psychological reliance on smartphones, which is typified by obsessive notification monitoring and fear of missing out (FOMO). Methodology: Using a non-experimental, descriptive methodology, the study used a correlational survey approach. 500 students from D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy and D.Y. Patil College of Nursing, who were chosen by non-probability convenience sampling, were among the participants. The Smartphone Addiction Short Version Scale (SAS-SV) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were employed. The Karl Pearson correlation coefficient test was administered through an online Google Forms questionnaire. The investigation was carried out on April 16, 2024. Findings: The participants' average age was 21.43 ± 2.91 years. Due to their use of smartphones at night, the majority of participants (55.00%, or 345 students) reported having severe sleep difficulties. With a median score of 11 and a mode of 10, the PSQI score was 11.18 on average. 3.22 was the standard deviation, and the range was16. The majority of pupils showed a solid understanding of sleep disorders. At the P < 0.05 level, the estimated t-value (tcal = 1.9564) was found to be more than the crucial value (ttab = 1.9432), suggesting a moderately positive association that is statistically significant between smartphone usage and sleep quality. In summary, the results indicate that most participants had a moderate understanding of sleep disorders, and there was a moderately positive link between smartphone usage and sleep quality.

Examining the relationship between smartphone characteristics and the prevalence of hand discomfort among university students

BackgroundStudents are among the groups that use smartphones for long periods throughout the day and night. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone characteristics and the prevalence of hand discomfort among university students.MethodsThis study included 204 university students, selected based on their willingness to participate and inclusion criteria. Participants reported hand pain and discomfort by completing the Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). Personal information was collected through a demographic questionnaire. Smartphone characteristics were obtained from the Internet based on the smartphone model self-reported by students.ResultsAccording to the Cornell questionnaire, 59.3% of students reported experiencing discomfort in their right hand, while 38.2% reported discomfort in their left hand due to smartphone use. Furthermore, 36.3% of students reported experiencing pain in two or more regions on their right hand, while 20.1% reported pain in two or more areas on their left hand. More than half of the students in the right hand (53.5%) and more than one-third (33.3%) in the left hand obtained pain scores of more than 1.5. The chi-square test indicated a statistically significant relationship between the weight of the smartphone and the prevalence of discomfort in the right hand (χ2 = 4.80, p = 0.03). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between the discomfort or pain scores experienced in both hands and the number of painful areas in those hands (right hand: χ2 = 219.04, p = 0.00; left hand: χ2 = 213.13, p = 0.00).ConclusionsSmartphone use can cause discomfort and pain in the hands of university students. The physical characteristics of the smartphone, such as its weight, play a significant role in contributing to right-hand-related pain among students. It is important to consider ergonomic factors in smartphone design and usage to reduce musculoskeletal problems among users, especially students.

Co‐worker phubbing: A qualitative exploration of smartphone use during work breaks

Co‐worker phubbing: A qualitative exploration of smartphone use during work breaks

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.

“Like Here You Can See”

This article studies data from civilian crisis management training to investigate how participants use smartphones to construct participation in team interaction during a task. Previous research discusses the effects of smartphone use in co-present interaction, and its use may have advantages and disadvantages to the production of meaningful, effective interaction. Using ethnomethodological conversation analysis, this study examines participants’ private smartphone use as well as their shared smartphone showings. The analysis demonstrates the complexity and fluidity of smartphone use in a multiparty co-present setting, illustrating the collaborative nature of the showing, and showcasing how the smartphone use furthers the participants’ shared understanding as well as decision-making. The analysis focuses on the the beginning, middle, and end stages of the smartphone use. Findings show that both the smartphone user and their co-participants utilize a rich array of multimodal resources to construct interaction during the private activity and the shared showing. The data demonstrates how participants aptly utilize their smartphones for the benefit of the interaction and present task.

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 associations among type D personality and nomophobia, metacognitions about smartphone use, smartphone addiction in Chinese university freshmen: a two-wave study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine longitudinal associations of Type D personality and smartphone addiction, while also exploring the mediating roles of nomophobia and metacognitions about smartphone use.MethodsType D Personality Scale-14 (T1), Nomophobia Questionnaire (T2), Metacognitions about Smartphone Use Questionnaire (T2) and Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (T2) were applied at two time points. 653 university freshmen (Mage= 18.56, SD = 0.65) from a university in China were surveyed.Results(1) Type D personality was significantly and positively correlated with nomophobia, negative metacognition, and smartphone addiction. In contrast, the correlation between Type D personality and positive metacognition did not reach the significant level. (2) Compared with individuals with non-Type D personality, those with Type D personality scored significantly higher on nomophobia, negative metacognition, and smartphone addiction. However, the difference was not significant for positive metacognition. (3) Nomophobia and metacognitions about smartphone use fully mediated the relationship between Type D personality and smartphone addiction. While the mediating effects of nomophobia and negative metacognition were significant, the mediating effect of positive metacognition was not significant.ConclusionsType D personality can not only affect smartphone addiction directly but also indirectly through nomophobia and negative metacognition. Therefore, to prevent and intervene in smartphone addiction, we can start from both affect (nomophobia) and metacognition (negative metacognitions about smartphone use).

대학생의 5성격유형, 불안, 우울이 회복탄력성에 미치는 영향 요인

Objectives The purpose of this study is to understand the Big 5 personality factor in individual factors and anxiety and depression in psychological factor on resilience of university students. Methods Data were collected throughs self-report questionnaires between November 17 and to December 22. Participants were comprised of a convenience sample of 198 college students. Collected data were analyzed by frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and Multiple regression by SPSS/WIN 25.0. Results The resilience of research subjects was higher than the moderate level, and in the score of each area, the optimism and perseverance were the highest. Resilience according to general characteristics showed statistically significant differences depending on gender, satisfaction with major, club activities, regular exercise, perceived physical health, perceived mental health, Daily internet use time and Daily smartphone use time. Agreeableness and Resilience had negative correlations between Openness, anxiety, depression and Resilience. The Openness, satisfaction with major, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, perceived physical health, perceived mental health, depression and Neuroticism had effects on Resilience. Conclusions In order to increase the resilience of college students it would be necessary to enhance the manage in physical, mental health it would be necessary to enhance the Satisfaction in major, improve the Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness. In order to improve these factors, intervention in individual counseling programs that take personality factors into account will also be necessary.

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.

A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Relationship between Work-Related, Lifestyle Factors and Non-Specific Neck and Shoulder Pain in a Southeast Asian Population.

Non-specific neck and shoulder pain (NSNSP) is prevalent among working adults. The increased use of electronic devices and prevalence of remote working and study following the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the potential rise in such conditions. This study aims to investigate the associations between work-related, lifestyle factors and NSNSP in the adult Southeast Asian Singaporean population. An online survey was administered electronically to Singaporeans aged 21 and above. Demographic data, NSNSP prevalence, computer and smartphone usage durations, sleep patterns, and exercise frequency were captured after obtaining informed consent (SIT institutional review board approval #2023014). A total of 302 validated responses were recorded, including 212 suffering from NSNSP versus 90 in the comparison group. The NSNSP group showed significantly longer smartphone usage (5.37 ± 3.50 h/day) compared to the comparison group (4.46 ± 3.36 h/day, p = 0.04). Furthermore, the NSNSP group had lower exercise frequency (2.10 ± 1.74 days/week vs. 2.93 ± 2.21 days/week, p < 0.01) and shorter weekly exercise duration (2.69 ± 3.05 h/week vs. 4.11 ± 4.15 h/week, p < 0.01). The average NSNSP severity in this group was 34.9 ± 19.96 out of 100, correlating significantly with age (r = 0.201, p < 0.01) and BMI (r = 0.27, p < 0.01). This preliminary cross-sectional study examines characteristics of adult Southeast Asians with NSNSP post-COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate significantly longer smartphone use and less exercise in NSNSP respondents, with both age and body mass index (BMI) demonstrating significant correlations with NSNSP severity.

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

Райдшеринг: проблемы правовой регламентации в России

Ridesharing is the joint movement of several individuals in a single vehicle along a route defined by the vehicle owner. From a legal point of view, this agreement can be regarded as an unnamed joint travel contract. The development of ridesharing is facilitated by the widespread use of smartphones and platforms providing digital services. The main purpose of ridesharing is to save financial resources and to improve the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road. The transport legislation of a number of countries has introduced norms on the legal regulation of shared travel. In the Russian Federation it is necessary to clarify the regulatory framework in this area, as the lack of legal regulation leads to abuse of the right. The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility of legitimisation of ridesharing, to analyse the draft law developed by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Statute of Road Transport concerning the legal regulation of joint travel, to propose legal measures. The author has developed proposals on the definition of joint travel and ridesharing agreement, defined the legal nature of the agreement, reflected the positive and negative sides of the use of joint travel, analysed foreign experience of their legal regulation.

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 &gt; 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&lt;0.001. The multivariate model showed inappropriate smartphone use with an OR of 1.06 [95% CI (1.73-4.87] with p&lt;0.001 and age &gt; 14 years an OR of 1.68 [95% CI (2.80-10.25)] and p &lt;0.001. Conclusion: Adolescents who have problematic smartphone use and an age &gt; 14 years have a higher risk of being overweight or obese. Longitudinal studies are required to verify the findings shown here.

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.

Kegiatan Pengabdian Masyarakat sebagai Pembicara dalam Webinar Ngobrol Bareng Legislator “Berinternet Secara Sehat”

This community service activity is to provide an explanation regarding various health problems due to smartphone use in digital era. There were three speakers who presented various topics related to healthy internet usage. During presentation, various physical illness related to long-term use of mobile phones were mentioned. Negative aspects from a psychological and social perspective are also discussed. All are caused by a combination of long duration of use, awkward posture and static posture. In the end session, a few suggestions were given to reduce the negative impact of celluler phone usage on physical health. This webinar could be watched via youtube channel

The Relationship Between the Intensity of Smartphone Use and Sleep Quality in Class VIII Teenagers at SMPN 4 Genteng Banyuwangi

Using a smartphone before bed can make a person's sleep time late and not according to the time. When someone plays with a smartphone at night, the brain will think that this is not sleep time because of the blue light emitted by the smartphone. If the brain thinks that it is not hours of sleep, the duration of smartphone users' sleep will decrease and this will affect the quality of their sleep. Poor sleep quality in teenagers will affect all activities and in daily life. This research aims to determine the relationship between the intensity of smartphone use and sleep quality in teenagers. This research uses a correlational research design with a quantitative research model using a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study was class students with a sample of 112 people taken using simple random sampling techniques. The instrument used in this study used a likert scale questionnaire. Statistical test between smartphone usage intensity and sleep quality measured using Spearman Rank (rho) with α = 0.05. This research shows there is a relationship between the intensity of smartphone use and sleep quality. The direction of a positive relationship with strength is sufficient, meaning that the greater the intensity of using a smartphone, the less good it will have an impact on poor sleep quality. Using a smartphone at night will cause the brain to receive external stimuli in the form of sound, light and vibrations from the smartphone, this causes a person to wake up at night and if it lasts a long time it will disrupt the quality of students' sleep. Discussion: Therefore, it is necessary to monitor smartphone use in students so that sleep quality is better.

Transport disadvantage and social inclusion: Exploring the role of smartphone use for transport purposes

The link between transport disadvantage and social exclusion is now firmly-established. Smartphones emerge as an integral part of daily life with a strong potential to influence this link by improving people’s capacity to access transport information and availability, and enabling direct connections with others in society. However, the role of smartphone use for transport purposes in influencing people’s daily mobility and quality of life remains under-studied, in part impeding a more concrete discourse on how it can be better evaluated and considered in policymaking. This study seeks to shed light on the above issue through probing into the interrelationships among smartphone use, transport disadvantage and social inclusion, and their relation to subjective well-being. Using Beijing as a case study, we tested a series of hypotheses through structural equation models (SEM). Our findings highlighted potentially bidirectional interactions between smartphone use and transport disadvantage. By and large, smartphone use for both normal purposes and new modes can help mitigate transport disadvantage, and this may further stimulate more smartphone use as a proactive solution. Furthermore, the link between smartphone use for new modes and transport cost, and their consequent effect on social inclusion and subjective well-being were found to vary between low- and high-income groups. Findings suggest that smartphones and smart apps should be carefully integrated in policymaking to reduce the risk for people of being socially excluded due to a lack of transport options and improve subjective well-being.