Caudate nucleus volume mediates the link between glutamatergic neurotransmission and problematic smartphone use in youth

AbstractBackground and aimsProblematic smartphone use (PSU) is growing rapidly among teens. It has similar presentations as other behavioral addictions in terms of excessive use, impulse control problems, and negative consequences. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain undiscovered. We hypothesized that structural changes in the striatum might serve as an important link between alteration in glutamate signaling and development of PSU.MethodsAmong 88 participants, twenty (F:M, 12:8; age 16.2 ± 1.1) reported high scores in the smartphone addiction proneness scale (SAPS) with a cut-off score of 42; the other 68 (F:M, 19:49; age 15.3 ± 1.7) comprised the control group. Sociodemographic data and depression, anxiety, and impulsivity traits were measured. Striatal volumes (caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) were estimated from T1 imaging data. Serum glutamate levels were estimated from peripheral blood samples. Group comparisons of each data were performed after controlling for age and gender. Mediation analyses were conducted to test the indirect effects of glutamate level alteration on PSU through striatal volumetric alteration.ResultsThe PSU group showed a decrease in both caudate volumes than the control group. Left caudate volume was positively correlated with serum glutamate level, and negatively with impulsivity traits and SAPS scores. The mediation model revealed a significant indirect effect of serum glutamate on SAS scores through the reduced left caudate volume.Discussion and conclusionsThis study suggests that altered glutamatergic neurotransmission may be associated with PSU among teens, possibly through reduced left caudate volume. Current findings might support neural mechanisms of smartphone addiction.

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Role of Attachment and Family Functioning in Problematic Smartphone Use in Young Adults

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x21993881 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0192513X2199388

Author(s):

M. V. Jimeno ◽

J. J. Ricarte ◽

A. Toledano ◽

S. Mangialavori ◽

M. Cacioppo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Attachment Styles ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Faces Iv ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Preoccupied Attachment ◽

The Relationship

Overuse of the smartphone causes negative consequences on the health and behavior of younger people. It is necessary to know which factors can determine the problematic use of the smartphone. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between problematic smartphone use, attachment styles, and perceived family functioning in young adults. Three hundred and thirteen Spanish young adults took part in the study (255 women, 58 men) and completed the following instruments: the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV). The results of the path analyses show that the cohesion and enmeshed functioning variables were the best predictors of problematic smartphone use. The preoccupied attachment scale was the only one whose score also showed indirect effects on problematic smartphone use through the variable of enmeshed family functioning.

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Behavioral Intention to Use a Smartphone Usage Management Application Between a Non-Problematic Smartphone Use Group and a Problematic Use Group

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.571795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Mun Joo Choi ◽

Seo-Joon Lee ◽

Sun Jung Lee ◽

Mi Jung Rho ◽

Dai-Jin Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Technology Acceptance ◽

Behavioral Intention ◽

Control Group ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Intention To Use ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Problematic Use ◽

Perceived Security ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Behavioral Intention To Use

Despite the many advantages of smartphone in daily life, there are significant concerns regarding their problematic use. Therefore, several smartphone usage management applications have been developed to prevent problematic smartphone use. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors of users' behavioral intention to use smartphone usage management applications. Participants were divided into a smartphone use control group and a problematic use group to find significant intergroup path differences. The research model of this study is fundamentally based on the Technology Acceptance Model and Expectation-Confirmation Theory. Based on this theorem, models were modified to best suit the case of problematic smartphone use intervention by smartphone application. We conducted online surveys on 511 randomly selected smartphone users aged 20–60 in South Korea, in 2018. The Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale was used to measure participants' smartphone dependency. Descriptive statistics were used for the demographic analysis and collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0 and Amos 24.0. We found that in both non-problematic smartphone use group and problematic smartphone use group, facilitating factors and perceived security positively affect the intentions of users to use the application. One distinct difference between the groups was that the latter attributed a lower importance to perceived security than the former. Some of our highlighted unique points are envisioned to provide intensive insights for broadening knowledge about technology acceptance in the field of e-Addictology.

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

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s00787-021-01874-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tanja Poulain ◽

Mandy Vogel ◽

Tobias Kliesener ◽

Wieland Kiess

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Behavioral Difficulties ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

T1 And T2

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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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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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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A ten-step behavioural intervention to reduce screen time and problematic smartphone use

10.31234/osf.io/tjynk ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jay A. Olson ◽

Dasha Sandra ◽

Denis Chmoulevitch ◽

Amir Raz ◽

Samuel P. L. Veissière

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Technology Use ◽

Screen Time ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Behavioural Intervention ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

The World ◽

Smartphone Use

Problematic smartphone use is rising across the world and has been associated with reductions in concentration and well-being. Few interventions aiming to reduce smartphone use take a multi-faceted approach that balances feasibility and effectiveness. We developed such an intervention with ten simple guidelines that nudge users to reduce their screen time (e.g., disabling non-essential notifications). Two pre-registered studies tested the intervention. Study 1 (N = 51) found reductions in screen time, problematic smartphone use, and depressive symptoms after two weeks. Study 2 (N = 70) found that the intervention caused larger changes in screen time, problematic smartphone use, and sleep quality than a control group of screen time monitoring alone. Our brief intervention reduced screen time by one hour per day and returned problematic smartphone use scores to normal levels for at least six weeks. This intervention provides simple, scalable, and feasible behavioural guidelines to promote healthy technology use.

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Penggunaan Smartphone Bermasalah Pada Siswa SMA Serta Implikasinya Bagi Pelayanan Bimbingan dan Konseling di Sekolah

ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) ◽

10.32505/enlighten.v3i2.1941 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 96-105

Author(s):

Nira Prihatin Nufus ◽

Susi Fitri ◽

Murti Kusuma Wirasti

Keyword(s):

High School Students ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Social Motivation ◽

Guidance And Counseling ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

School Students ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Problematic Use ◽

Service Programs ◽

Smartphone Use

Excessive use of smartphones can lead to problematic smartphone use. Problematic smartphone use is a person's inability to regulate smartphone use, which results in many negative consequences in everyday life. This study aims to determine the problematic description of smartphone use in high school students in the Bogor area. This research uses a quantitative approach with descriptive methods. The sampling technique was using the purposive sampling technique. The research instrument used was the MPPUSA (Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale for Adolescent) adaptation instrument. Its aspects consist of tolerance, escape from problems, craving, withdrawal, negative consequences, and social motivation. The results of the instrument trial obtained a reliability coefficient of 0.877. The questionnaire was distributed online using the Google Forms application, with 188 respondents (45 male respondents and 143 female respondents). The scale used is the five-point Likert scale. The results showed that the category of problematic use was 8.50%, the users were at risk of 43.62%, habitual use was 40.96%, and occasional users were 6.91%. The highest percentage of problematic smartphone use aspects is the escape from problem aspect of 67.84% and the lowest is the withdrawal aspect of 43.09%. The implication of the results of this study can be used as a needs analysis in making guidance and counseling service programs in schools by guidance and counseling teachers.

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Difficulties in Establishing “Truth” Conditions in the Assessment of Addictive Smartphone Use in Young Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19010358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Javier García-Manglano ◽

Claudia López-Madrigal ◽

Charo Sádaba-Chalezquer ◽

Cecilia Serrano ◽

Olatz Lopez-Fernandez

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tools ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Short Version ◽

Behavioral Addictions ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Truth Conditions ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Scale Range ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Definition Of

The smartphone revolution has placed powerful, multipurpose devices in the hands of youth across the globe, prompting worries about the potential negative consequences of these technologies on mental health. Many assessment tools have been created, seeking to classify individuals into problematic and non-problematic smartphone users. These are identified using a cutoff value: a threshold, within the scale range, at which higher scores are expected to be associated with negative outcomes. Lacking a clinical assessment of individuals, the establishment of this threshold is challenging. We illustrate this difficulty by calculating cutoff values for the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV) in 13 Spanish-speaking samples in 11 countries, using common procedures (i.e., reliability, validity, ROC methodology). After showing that results can be very heterogeneous (i.e., they lead to diverse cutoff points and rates of addiction) depending on the decisions made by the researchers, we call for caution in the use of these classifications, particularly when researchers lack a clinical definition of true addiction—as is the case with most available scales in the field of behavioral addictions—which can cause an unnecessary public health alert.

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Studies on the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Excessive Smartphone Use and on the Effects of Abstinence and Sensation Seeking on Excessive Smartphone Use

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17041262 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 1262 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Liat Turgeman ◽

Inbar Hefner ◽

Maayan Bazon ◽

Or Yehoshua ◽

Aviv Weinstein

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

University Students ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Positive Association ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Problematic Smartphone Use ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale ◽

Negative Impacts

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

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