Associations between changes in behavioral difficulties and levels of problematic smartphone use in adolescents over a 1-year period

Abstract Objectives The present longitudinal study investigates associations between changes in externalizing and internalizing behavioral difficulties and changes in problematic smartphone usage within the same 1-year period in healthy adolescents. Methods The project is part of the LIFE Child cohort study conducted in Leipzig, Germany. Ten- to 16-year-old adolescents (n = 363) provided information on behavioral difficulties [Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)], the duration of daily smartphone use, and symptoms of smartphone addiction [Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale (SAPS)] at two consecutive study visits, t1 and t2 (1 year after t1). In the first of two analysis phases, we applied linear regression analyses to assess cross-sectional associations between externalizing and internalizing behavioral difficulties and the duration of smartphone use and symptoms of smartphone addiction (at t1 and t2). In the second, we assessed associations between the changes measured in these variables over the period of a year. All associations were adjusted for age, sex, and soci-economic status. Results Children who reported prolonged periods of smartphone use or more symptoms of smartphone addiction exhibited significantly higher levels of externalizing and internalizing behavioral difficulties at t1 and t2. Further, children who increased their usage or developed addiction symptoms between t1 and t2 also developed more externalizing behavioral difficulties. We found the same tendencies in regard to internalizing behavioral difficulties, although the associations did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions The present findings suggest that externalizing behavioral difficulties and problematic smartphone use are mutually dependent in the long term.

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Smartphone Dependence among Undergraduates in Taiwan

Journal of Mobile Multimedia ◽

10.13052/1550-4646.1424 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nae-Fang Miao ◽

Cheng-Jin Lin ◽

Ching-Lien Cheng ◽

Yu-Ling Hsiao ◽

I-Hui Chen

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Economic Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Care Providers ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Use Behavior ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Smartphones have become a new means of communication and a major method of obtaining information. Dependence on or the excessive use of smartphones may affect health in the long term. However, little attention has been focused on smartphone use and dependence among undergraduates. Therefore, this study investigated the smartphone use behavior of Taiwanese undergraduates and their dependence on smartphones. A cross-sectional study design with a structured questionnaire was used for undergraduates aged≥20 years from four universities. The results suggested that the majority of participants, particularly women, experienced physical discomfort caused by smartphone use. Moreover, the participants exhibited a moderate to high dependence on smartphones. Smartphone use and dependence were both affected by family economic status, monthly allowance, and major. The findings indicated that health care providers, educators, and parents can play critical roles in encouraging the healthy use of smartphones among undergraduates.

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Problematic Smartphone Use, Screen Time and Chronotype Correlations in University Students

European Addiction Research ◽

10.1159/000506738 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 67-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pavle Randjelovic ◽

Nenad Stojiljkovic ◽

Niko Radulovic ◽

Nikola Stojanovic ◽

Ivan Ilic

Keyword(s):

Screen Time ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Short Version ◽

Android Application ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Global Trend ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Smartphone Use

Background: Besides numerous advantages and commodities offered by smartphones, there are obvious unhealthy effects. The global trend of an increase in the frequency of usage of smartphones, that is, prolonged screen time, is closely related to problematic smartphone use. The aim of our study was to measure the level of problematic smartphone use in a student population through the assessment of the smartphone screen time and the determination of the student chronotype, as well as through the correlation between these variables. Methods: The participants were students of medicine of both sexes. Problematic smartphone use was measured by the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale. Smartphone screen time was assessed by the free Android application Quality Time. Chronotype was established by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Results: Almost one quarter (22.7%) of students involved in our study could be classified as being “smartphone-addicted”. The students with problematic smartphone use more frequently (statistical significance) belonged to the evening chronotype. Those students spent significantly more time on their phones compared to the non-addicted ones. There was no statistically significant difference between the number of male and female students with problematic smartphone use. The best predictors of problematic smartphone use were longer daily smartphone screen time and evening chronotype personality. Conclusions: The results of our study showed that a significant number of students of medicine showed problematic smartphone use. There was a strong correlation between extensive screen time and the level of problematic smartphone use in the studied population.

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Depression and social anxiety in relation to problematic smartphone use

Internet Research ◽

10.1108/intr-01-2017-0019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 315-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Jon D. Elhai ◽

Mojisola Tiamiyu ◽

Justin Weeks

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

Structural Model ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Short Version ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Content Type ◽

Patient Health ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Thought Styles

Purpose Previous research has found support for depression and anxiety severity in association with both increased and problematic smartphone use. However, little research has explored transdiagnostic psychopathology constructs as mediators that may account for these relationships. The purpose of this paper is to test rumination as a possible transdiagnostic (cross-sectional) mediator in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach The authors recruited 296 college students to complete relevant web survey measures, including the patient health questionnaire-9 (for depression severity), social interaction anxiety scale (for social anxiety severity), ruminative thought styles questionnaire, smartphone addiction scale-short version (to measure levels of problematic smartphone use), and a measure of smartphone use frequency. Findings The authors found support for a structural model whereby the severity of depression and social anxiety accounted for variance in rumination, which, in turn, correlated with problematic smartphone use levels. Rumination accounted for relations between both depression and social anxiety severity with levels of problematic use. Originality/value The authors discuss the role of rumination as a possible mechanism between anxiety- and depression-related psychopathology levels with problematic smartphone use severity. This study is unique in exploring rumination in the context of problematic smartphone use.

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Gender Differences in Parental Impact on Problematic Smartphone Use among Korean Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 443

Author(s):

Hyunmi Son ◽

Suwon Park ◽

Gyumin Han

Keyword(s):

Family Environment ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Female Adolescents ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Parental Impact

This study aimed to examine the effective parental impact in preventing problematic smartphone use in adolescents by identifying the parent-related factors. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from a Korean national survey was conducted. Data from 2758 male and 2419 female adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years, were analyzed; the respondents were divided into normal and risk groups based on their standardized smartphone addiction diagnostic scale scores. Parent-related factors of smartphone addiction were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Among both male and female adolescents, mobile messenger usage, and family environment emerged as significant predictors of problematic smartphone use. In addition, for male adolescents, smartphone use frequency and parent’s awareness of content use were significant predictors. The findings indicated the importance of parental roles in preventing problematic smartphone use in adolescents. Parents should create a healthy family environment by avoiding smartphone overuse and modeling the appropriate usage of smartphones.

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Smartphone usage duration is not associated with increased pain or proprioception deficit in young adults with chronic mechanical low back pain: a cross-sectional study

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy ◽

10.1186/s43161-020-00010-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mina Magdy Wahba ◽

Dina Othman Shokri Morsi Galal ◽

Aliaa Rehan Youssef

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Task Completion ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Low Back ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Continuous Use

Abstract Background Smartphone use has been associated with pain in the upper quadrant; however, the relationship between usage duration and low back pain is still unclear. This study investigated the association between continuous smartphone use up to 30-min and back pain severity and proprioception acuity in patients with chronic low back pain. Fifty-eight patients with chronic mechanical LBP played a game for 10- and 30-min. In each session, pain and back repositioning errors were measured at baseline and immediately after task completion. Results Pain significantly but slightly increased following smartphone use, regardless to the duration (after 10 min: mean increase = 0.75 ± 1.17, P value < 0.001, 95% CI 0.44–1.06; after 30 min: mean increase = 0.96 ± 1.93, P value < 0.001, 95% CI 0.44–1.46). However, changes in perceived pain scores were not significantly different between the two tested durations (P value = 0.42). Proprioception repositioning error was not significantly different within the same testing session (mean change = 0.08 ± 1.83, 0.13 ± 1.77, P value = 0.73, 0.58, 95% CI − 0.40–0.56, − 0.60–0.33, for the 10 and 30 min, respectively). The changes in proprioception were not significant between the two-tested durations (P value = 0.56). Further, smartphone addiction did not significantly affect changes in pain and proprioception after game playing, regardless of the duration (P > 0.05). Conclusions These findings show that smartphone use slightly increases back pain immediately after continuous use; with no effect on back proprioception within the duration tested in this study. Changes in pain and proprioception were not influenced by smartphone addiction.

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Problematic smartphone use and affective temperaments among Lebanese young adults: scale validation and mediating role of self-esteem

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00638-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joanne Zeidan ◽

Souheil Hallit ◽

Marwan Akel ◽

Ismail Louragli ◽

Sahar Obeid

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Affective Temperaments ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Smartphone Use

Abstract Background Adults all over the world face serious issues from problematic smartphone use (PSU). It influences them negatively on a cognitive, behavioral, and emotional level, as well as on their tendencies and well-being. In Lebanon, the prevalence of PSU was shown to be 20.2% within the adult population, specifically with young adults (18–34 years old). This study investigates the validity and reliability of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) Arabic version. In addition, this study evaluates the association between PSU and affective temperaments and the mediating role of self-esteem in this association. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out between August and September 2020, using a sample of community-dwelling participants aged 18 to 29 years. The Smartphone Addiction Scale—Short Version was used to evaluate smartphone addiction among adolescents and adults. The five different temperaments of the patients were assessed by using the Affective temperament Scale (TEMPS‐A). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to evaluate self-esteem. Results 461 participants were included in this study. All items of the SAS were extracted and yielded a one-factor solution with Eigenvalues > 1 (variance explained = 49.96%; αCronbach = 0.886). The confirmatory analysis results consolidated those obtained from the factor analysis. Higher depressive temperament (B = 0.46) was significantly associated with more smartphone addiction, whereas higher self-esteem (B = − 0.28) was significantly associated with less smartphone addiction. Self-esteem was found to mediate the association between depressive and hyperthymic temperaments with smartphone addiction. Conclusion This study added a better understanding of the high smartphone addiction rate among adults in Lebanon. It confirms the association between affective temperaments and PSU through the mediating effect of self-esteem on Lebanese adults.

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The Italian Version of Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI-I) for Adolescents: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Relation with Self-Control and Internalized-Externalized Symptoms

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction ◽

10.1007/s11469-021-00705-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Bassi ◽

Adriana Lis ◽

Tatiana Marci ◽

Silvia Salcuni

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Self Control ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThe increased smartphone use in adolescence has led clinicians and researchers to carry out in-depth studies on the matter. Adolescents seem to be at risk of smartphone addiction because they are yet to develop self-control in smartphone use. This psychometric study aimed at examining the levels of validity evidence for the Smartphone Addiction Inventory-Italian (SPAI-I) version for adults, among adolescents. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the factor structure of the SPAI-I version for adults among adolescents but not the exploratory factor structure for adults of the original Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI). Convergent validity was assessed by examining the relationship between SPAI-I, self-control, and internalized and externalized problems. A total of 446 Italian adolescents (mean age = 16.04, SD = 1.72, 36.3% males) completed the Self-Restraint Subscale of the Adolescent Self-Consciousness and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires—with a specific focus on the subscales of internalized and externalized problems. Present findings suggested that the SPAI-I version could be used to assess smartphone overuse among adolescents according to a multidimensional perspective.

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Problematic smartphone use and anxiety in adolescents: survey study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27540 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kyung Eun Lee ◽

Kitai Kim ◽

Jeong Yee ◽

Jee Eun Chung ◽

Joo Hee Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Anxiety Scale ◽

Survey Study ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Observational Study Design ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Manifest Anxiety

BACKGROUND Smartphone overuse is a troubling issue to many, influencing psychological, social, and physical aspects. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to investigate the association between risk of problematic smartphone use and anxiety in adolescents. METHODS A questionnaire-based observational study design was used. Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale was used to assess symptoms of anxiety, and Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale index was used to evaluate the degree of high-risk or potential-risk for problematic smartphone use. RESULTS Analyses were conducted on 1,733 adolescents, including 771 boys and 962 girls. 20.1% of the studied population was classified as high-risk or potential-risk group for problematic smartphone use. Risk of problematic smartphone use exhibited statistically significant effects on the total anxiety scale, as well as physiological anxiety, oversensitivity, and social concern (all P-values < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis suggested that higher anxiety scales were associated with the higher risk of problematic smartphone use, as well as following factors: poor self-reported health, fewer number of close friends, caffeine beverage consumption, female sex, and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that higher risk of problematic smartphone use was associated with anxiety. Thus, management of problematic smartphone use seems necessary for the enhancement of psychological health.

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Factors associated with smartphone addiction risk in preschool children

10.21203/rs.2.12654/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jeong Hye Park

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Age Groups ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Older Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Addiction Risk ◽

Smartphone Use

Abstract Background This study aimed to identify the factors associated with smartphone addiction risk among preschool children. Thus far, little is known about these factors in younger children compared to older children or adolescents, although the age at first use of a smartphone is decreasing. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were obtained from the nationwide survey on smartphone overdependence conducted in 2017 in South Korea by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. Data from 1,378 preschool children were analysed using binominal logistic regression analysis. This study complied with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Results Of the samples, 17.1% showed a risk of smartphone addiction. The odds of high risk for smartphone addiction increased with the duration of smartphone use during the week and the frequency of smartphone use over the weekend. Using smartphones to watch TV shows and videos significantly increased the odds of smartphone addiction risk, whereas using smartphones for education and games did not. Conclusions The findings of the present study showed that, similar to children in other age groups, preschool children were also exposed to the risk of smartphone addiction. To reduce smartphone addiction risk in these children, parents should be aware of their risk of smartphone addiction and consider allowing their children less than 30 minutes of smartphone use during the week and more opportunities for physical activities especially over the weekend. Our findings also suggested that parent-centred education needs to be provided to correct parents’ perceptions. Information on smartphone addiction should be provided to parents along with an explanation that children’s smartphone use for educational purposes is beneficial; however, its use for the parents’ convenience or other purposes was not.

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Does Smartphone Addiction Fall on a Continuum of Addictive Behaviors?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17020422 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 422 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Sheila Yu ◽

Steve Sussman

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Addiction ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Gaming Addiction ◽

Addictive Behaviors ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Causal Pathways ◽

Current Review ◽

The Social ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Meta Analyses

Due to the high accessibility and mobility of smartphones, widespread and pervasive smartphone use has become the social norm, exposing users to various health and other risk factors. There is, however, a debate on whether addiction to smartphone use is a valid behavioral addiction that is distinct from similar conditions, such as Internet and gaming addiction. The goal of this review is to gather and integrate up-to-date research on measures of smartphone addiction (SA) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) to better understand (a) if they are distinct from other addictions that merely use the smartphone as a medium, and (b) how the disorder(s) may fall on a continuum of addictive behaviors that at some point could be considered an addiction. A systematic literature search adapted from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was conducted to find all relevant articles on SA and PSU published between 2017 and 2019. A total of 108 articles were included in the current review. Most studies neither distinguished SA from other technological addictions nor clarified whether SA was an addiction to the actual smartphone device or to the features that the device offers. Most studies also did not directly base their research on a theory to explain the etiologic origins or causal pathways of SA and its associations. Suggestions are made regarding how to address SA as an emerging behavioral addiction.

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