The effects of technology use on working young loneliness and social relationships

Exploring the Link Between Smartphone Overdependence, Depression, and Suicidal Behaviors Through the Mediating Effect of Lifestyle Risk Behaviors Among South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study Using National Big Data

INTRODUCTION

This study examined how lifestyle risk behaviors mediate the relationship between smartphone overdependence, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behavior in adolescents.

METHOD

Based on a secondary analysis of national survey data obtained in 2020 in South Korea, this study had 54,948 participating adolescents. Multiple logistic regression and mediating effect analyses were used to assess the relationships between the study variables.

RESULTS

Adolescents' lifestyle risk behaviors partially mediated the link between smartphone overdependence and depression (Z = 6.86, p < .001), suicidal ideation (Z = 7.04, p < .001), and suicidal planning (Z = 4.59, p < .001).

DISCUSSION

This is the first study to examine the mediating role of comprehensive lifestyle behaviors, not single habits, in the relationship between smartphone overdependence, depression, and suicidal behaviors. Encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents can help alleviate the link between smartphone overdependence and mental health problems.

How Does Smartphone Use Impact Loneliness in the Post-COVID Landscape in Japan?

Smartphone use during the active phase of the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a crucial means of facilitating communication when strict physical distancing was recommended. Previous studies conducted during the pandemic have suggested that smartphone use contributes to reduced loneliness. However, the influence of smartphone usage on the experience of loneliness in the aftermath of the active phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, also referred to as the post-COVID era, remains unclear, particularly because many physical communication restrictions were lifted during this period. To explore the association of smartphone use with the experience of loneliness in the post-COVID era, we analyzed the latest data from 2022 and 2023, when the COVID-19 pandemic gradually concluded. Our findings revealed that, in 2023, smartphone use increased the risk of loneliness among individuals aged 50-64 years. Conversely, among the younger generations, increased smartphone use was associated with decreased loneliness. The results of our study suggest that smartphones can serve as a significant tool for alleviating loneliness among the younger generations during the post-pandemic period.

How does smartphone addiction affect the lives of adolescents socially and academically?: a systematic review study

Today, adolescents tend to accept smartphones more quickly than adults and spend more time with these devices since they are members of the first generation born and living in environments where smartphones and the internet are common. However, when they use smartphones excessively and become addicted to smartphones, this may cause them to suffer from various psychological, emotional, and physical health problems from an early age. Therefore, this study systematically examines the articles on smartphone addiction in adolescents. For this purpose, the related articles were screened using the Web of Science database and 188 studies by the search criteria were subjected to a systematic review. In this sense, methodological tendencies, variables and main findings of the studies included in the present study were examined. This study revealed that the quantitative research method was primarily used. The studies mainly investigated smartphone use, social relations, demographic characteristics, depression, personal characteristics, and sleep variables. Moreover, the studies were primarily conducted in China, and large sample groups were preferred. The factors that triggered the smartphone addiction of adolescents were family problems, and especially females were more addicted to smartphones than males. Moreover, smartphone addiction causes depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and decreased academic achievement in adolescents. Finally, various suggestions were presented based on the findings of this study.

The roles of behavioral inhibition/activation systems and impulsivity in problematic smartphone use: A network analysis

Background

Behavioral inhibition/activation systems (BIS/BAS) and impulsivity are associated with problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, no studies to date have explored how the subdomains of BIS/BAS and the dimensions of impulsivity relate to the components of PSU in a joint framework. This study aimed to examine the relationships between the three constructs at a fine-grained level and identify the central nodes and bridge nodes of their relationships using network analysis.

Methods

A regularized partial correlation network of PSU, BIS/BAS, and impulsivity communities was estimated to investigate the connections between variables and determine the expected influence and bridge expected influence for each variable based on data from 325 Chinese adults. PSU, BIS/BAS, and impulsivity were assessed using the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), BIS/BAS scales, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Version 11 (BIS-11), respectively.

Results

In addition to connections within each community, network analysis revealed that there were connections between different communities, especially connections to PSU. I2 "motor impulsivity" was strongly associated with PSU2 "conflict" and PSU6 "relapse"; BASR "BAS-reward responsiveness" was strongly associated with PSU5 "withdrawal." Nodes BASR "BAS-reward responsiveness" and PSU6 "relapse" were the most central variables, while nodes BASR "BAS-reward responsiveness" and I2 "motor impulsivity" were the strongest bridge variables.

Conclusion

The connections between the subdomains of BIS/BAS and the components of PSU and between the dimensions of impulsivity and the components of PSU may be particularly important in the development and maintenance of PSU. The central variables identified here, along with the bridge variables, could be promising and effective targets for the prevention and intervention of PSU.

Development of Fırat Netlessphobia Scale and investigation of its psychometric properties

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to determine the level of Netlessphobia in the general population by developing the "Fırat Netlessphobia Scale."

DESIGN AND MEASURES

Trial form consisting of 19 items, which was tested in terms of language and psychometric validity, was applied to a sample group of 690 people. The reliability of the scale was verified by evaluating Cronbach's α reliability coefficient and test-retest consistency.

RESULTS

The developed "Fırat Netlessphobia Scale" can account for 60.7% of the variance related to Netlessphobia. Cronbach's α reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as 0.93.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the findings, the Fırat Netlessphobia Scale is a cost-effective scale that facilitates the valid and reliable estimation of high variance and a low number of items.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This practical and cost-effective scale is widely applied owing to its small number of items and short expressions. The present study emphasizes the importance of exploring Netlessphobia and the need for future research in this area to recognize the risk groups and establish protection strategies.

Developing Fırat Nomophobia Scale and investigating its psychometric properties

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the nomophobia concept to develop the "Fırat Nomophobia Scale" to determine the level of nomophobia in individuals aged 15-65 years.

DESIGN AND MEASURES

A linguistically and psychometrically validated trial form consisting of 13 statements was applied to a sample of 678 individuals (69% women).

RESULTS

The "Nomophobia Scale" that we developed consisted of a single dimension and eight items, explicating 55.9% of the variance concerning nomophobia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the Fırat Nomophobia Scale is an economical scale with a low number of items and high variance. In addition, it provides valid and reliable measurements.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The present study signifies the importance of research on nomophobia and determining the risk groups and protection strategies.

Has Smartphone Use Influenced Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan?

The influence of smartphone use on increased risk of feeling lonely has been recognized as a global public health concern. However, it is unclear whether this influence has changed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, during which smartphones have become a particularly important means of communication due to health safety measures restricting personal interactions. We used Hiroshima University's online survey data collected from 18-28 February 2022, to assess the impact of smartphone use on loneliness in Japan. The final sample included 2630 participants aged over 20 years, with loneliness measured using the UCLA scale and smartphone use calculated as the duration of usage in minutes/day. Weighted logit regression analysis was used to examine the association between smartphone use and loneliness, with other demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological characteristics as explanatory variables. Contrary to conventional evidence, our findings show that smartphone use mitigated the risk of loneliness during the pandemic. This was especially true among females under 65 years old. We found that age, subjective health status, future anxiety, and depression impacted this relationship. The findings of this study can help guide policymaking by showing the importance of providing adequate digital platforms to manage loneliness and mental health during times of isolation.

Beyond Screen Time: Exploring the Associations between Types of Smartphone Use Content and Adolescents’ Social Relationships

The past two decades have witnessed controversy over whether the use of digital technology has damaged or enhanced adolescents’ social relationships, which influences their development. In this study, we addressed this debate by specifying the effect of different types of smartphone use content on social relationships, rather than simply relying on screen time spent on digital media. To avoid selective analysis and report of different variables, we used specification curve analysis (SCA) in a large dataset (N = 46,018) to explore the correlations between 20 types of smartphone use content and adolescents’ social relationships (parent–child, peer, and teacher–student). The types of smartphone use content were measured by the revised version of Mobile Phone Use Pattern Scale, the Parent-Child Relationship Scale, the Peer Relationship Scale, and the Teacher-Student Relationship Scale assessed three different social relationships, respectively. Of the 20 types of smartphone use content, only playing games (negatively explaining 1% of the variation), taking online courses (positively explaining 1.6% of the variation), using search engines (positively explaining 1.2% of the variation), using a dictionary (positively explaining 1.3% of the variation), and obtaining life information (positively explaining 1.5% of the variation) showed a significant effect size. The association between smartphone use and adolescents’ social relationships depends on the various types of content with which adolescents engage during smartphone use. The various effects of different types of smartphone use content deserve the attention of both the public and policy-makers.

Pattern of mobile phone and internet use among 11-15-years-old

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pattern of problematic internet and mobile use in a sample of adolescents.

METHOD

Cross-sectional descriptive study in 8 primary and secondary education centres attached to a semi-rural health centre serving 21,000 inhabitants. Two-stage, cluster and systematic sampling, with a final sample size of 446 participants. Sociodemographic variables and data related to the questionnaire for mobile phone-related experiences (CERM) and questionnaire on internet-related experiences (CERI) were collected.

RESULTS

446 valid surveys were obtained, 228 boys (51.1%) and 218 girls (48.9%) 11-15 years old. A total of 418 (93.7%) had their own mobile. Median mobile usage was 12h on weekdays and 10 at weekends. The most used platforms were WhatsApp (53.6%) and social media (31.4%). Criteria for problematic internet use (CERI>26) were observed in 15.7%, more in 2nd and 3rd ESO. Girls had higher CERI -interpersonal conflict scores (p=.04). Regarding mobile use, girls had higher scores in total CERM (p=.001) and CERM-communicative and emotional use (p=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate early onset of problems with internet and mobile use, probably related to the accessibility of the new technologies. No parental control was observed. More problematic use of mobile and internet in second and third compulsory secondary education and higher scores in the group of girls related to communication, emotional use and interpersonal conflicts were observed. The findings can help to raise awareness of this problem, detect it early and prevent the effects of addiction to technologies in adolescents.

Relationship between Lifestyle and Self-Reported Smartphone Addiction in adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVES

1) To verify the association between Lifestyle and Self-Reported Smartphone Addiction in adolescents; and 2) to analyze the adolescents' perception of this relationship in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

A mixed-methods research study with a sequential and explanatory design, developed with Brazilian adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years old. In the first phase, a quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out with 479 participants and, in the second, a qualitative approach of an exploratory and descriptive nature, with 16 participants.

RESULTS

An association was verified between Lifestyle and Self-Reported Smartphone Addiction by adolescents (p < 0.01), with a large size effect (d=0.98). All the domains related to lifestyle were associated with Self-Reported Smartphone Addiction, with greater effects evidenced in the following aspects: high effect for sleep, seat belt, stress and safe sex (d=0.85); and moderate effect for insight (d=0.74) and career (d=0.71). Subsequently, the qualitative analysis resulted in a category that describes how the adolescents understand this relationship in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION

More problematic lifestyles were evidenced among the adolescents classified as dependent. In addition to that, it was understood that the COVID-19 pandemic exerted a considerable impact on the lifestyle and behavior established by the adolescents with their smartphones.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PRACTICE

Nurses and other health professionals are essential in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and adaptive behavior in smartphone use, especially in the face of this pandemic scenario and, thus, mitigating the harms to the adolescents' health.

Association between social support, smartphone usage and loneliness among the migrant elderly following children in Jinan, China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

As the fast population ageing in the past few decades, China has also witnessed an increase in the number of migrant elderly following children (MEFC). This study aims to examine the relationship between MEFC's social support, smartphone usage and loneliness in Jinan, China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Shandong Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 656 MEFC aged 60 years or above.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Loneliness was measured by an eight-item version of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (ULS-8). A t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were conducted to compare the level of loneliness across different sociodemographic variables, social support indicators and smartphone usage indicators. Structural equation modelling was used to validate the association between the above variables.

RESULTS

The MEFC's mean score on the ULS-8 was 12.82±4.05, indicating a relatively lower level of loneliness. It was found that social support and smartphone usage exerted negative effects on loneliness of the MEFC, and the standardised direct effects were -0.165 (95% CI -0.257 to -0.070) and -0.094 (95% CI -0.180 to -0.003), respectively. Social support was found to be positively associated with smartphone usage of the MEFC, and the standardised direct effect was 0.147 (95% CI 0.052 to 0.246).

CONCLUSIONS

The loneliness of the MEFC was relatively low and was clarified to be negatively associated with social support and smartphone usage. Effective intervention measures on social support and smartphone usage to alleviate loneliness among the MEFC in China were recommended based on this study.

Determining the relationship between loneliness and internet addiction among adolescents during the covid-19 pandemic in Turkey

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the levels of loneliness adolescents feel during the pandemic, and their respective levels of internet addiction.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample of the study consists of 482 adolescents who volunteered to participate in the study. All participants had the cognitive competence to express themselves, and had access to the Internet. Participants filled out a Google Docs form including the "Descriptive Information Form", "ULS-SF" and "IASA", which were used to collect data.

RESULTS

As a result of the multiple regression analysis, it was found that family income, mothers' education status, fathers' education status, the duration of Internet use before and during the pandemic, and the total score of ULS-SF had statistically significant effects on the total score of IASA (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that adolescents' internet addiction increases with the increasing level of loneliness. Adolescents who reported feeling moderately lonely had a low level of Internet addiction. There were certain variables that were also found to be influential on adolescents' average levels of loneliness and Internet addiction during the Covid-19 pandemic.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Protecting adolescents' mental health during the pandemic is dependent on taking measures to reduce the risks, while strengthening the protective factors. These protective factors include providing adolescents the access to the appropriate information resources and encouraging the rational use of the Internet, which will support the individual and the individual's social development.

Applying network analysis to understand the relationships between impulsivity and social media addiction and between impulsivity and problematic smartphone use

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have revealed the relationships between impulsivity and social media addiction (SMA) and between impulsivity and problematic smartphone use (PSU) based on total scores on standardized self-report scales. However, there has been a lack of studies exploring how the dimensions of impulsivity and components of SMA or PSU are interrelated. The present study aimed to investigate the structural relationships between the dimensions of impulsivity and components of SMA and PSU and determine the critical bridge node using network analysis.

METHODS

A total of 325 healthy adults aged 18-36 years participated in the study. SMA and PSU were assessed using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), respectively. Impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11). Network analysis was used to construct an SMA-Impulsivity network and a PSU-Impulsivity network. Bridge centrality (bridge expected influence, BEI) was estimated to identify influential bridge nodes.

RESULTS

In addition to relationships within each community, network analysis revealed that the dimensions of impulsivity were closely associated with the components of SMA and PSU. Particularly, I2 "motor impulsivity" had a relatively strong connection with SMA3 "mood modification" and SMA4 "relapse" in the SMA-Impulsivity network, and with PSU2 "conflict" and PSU5 "withdrawal" in the PSU-Impulsivity network. Moreover, I2 "motor impulsivity" was identified as the most critical bridge node in both networks.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate potential pathways between different dimensions of impulsivity and the components of SMA and PSU, providing new evidence relevant to understanding the underlying mechanisms that account for how highly impulsive individuals develop SMA and PSU, and highlight the critical bridge node-motor impulsivity-that may be a promising and effective target for the prevention and treatment of SMA and PSU.

Smartphone Addiction, Social Support, and Cybercrime Victimization: A Discrete Survival and Growth Mixture Model

In recent decades, criminological theories have identified a set of vulnerabilities in potential victims that seek to explain their victimization. When it comes to explaining cybercrime victimization, however, the important role that addiction to the vulnerabilities associated with technological devices can play has tended to be overlooked. In this paper we empirically link smartphone addiction, social support, and cyberfraud victimization in a nationally representative sample of 716 smartphone users followed for three years. The results of discrete survival and growth mixture models suggest that the probability of cyberfraud victimization is lower among users with a decrease in smartphone addiction and an increase in social support over the three years. These results allow us to suggest new avenues in the study of cybercrime victimization, with special emphasis on the psychosocial consequences that the deregulated use of these technological devices may entail.

Predicting Video Game Addiction Through the Dimensions of Consumer Video Game Engagement: Quantitative and Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Video games are expanding exponentially with their increased popularity among users. However, this popularity has also led to an increase in reported video game addiction. There may be consumer engagement-related factors that may influence video game addiction.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to empirically examine the impact of the dimensions of consumer video game engagement on video game addiction. The dimensions are dedication, absorption, conscious attention, social connection, enthusiasm, and interaction. We utilize the uses and gratifications theory to study the video game engagement dimensions as potential factors through which gamers feel gratified and engaged in video game playing. Additionally, this study incorporates the cultivation theory to investigate how video game engagement factors trigger video game addiction.

METHODS

A two-step process was applied for data analysis on valid cases of 176 gamers aged 15-25 years: video game addiction was specified and validated as a reflective-formative construct, and hypothesis testing was later performed using the WarpPLS on valid respondents.

RESULTS

The analysis uncovered 2 dimensions of video game engagement: social connection with P=.08 and interaction with P=.49, which did not significantly contribute to video game addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers unique insights to a myriad of stakeholders, mostly psychologists and psychiatrists, who routinely prescribe behavior modification techniques to treat video game addiction.

Understanding juveniles' problematic smartphone use and related influencing factors: A network perspective

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To understand the interaction between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and related influencing factors (individual variables, family environment, and school environment) and to determine the most influential factors affecting the use of smartphones by juveniles to implement effective interventions in the future.

METHODS

A total of 3,442 children and adolescents (3,248 actual participants (males = 1,638, average age = 12.27 ± 2.36)) were included in the study. This study measured juveniles' PSU and its influencing factors: individual variables (4 factors), family environments (13 factors), and school environments (5 factors). This study employed a network analysis approach for data assessment.

RESULTS

This study found that there were several central influencing factors (such as self-control ability, loss of control, parent-child relationship, and peer attitudes towards smartphone use) and bridge factors (such as peer attitudes towards smartphone use, peer pressure for smartphone use, and fear of missing out).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Juveniles' PSU included several core symptoms and critical influencing factors. Intervention based on these factors may be effective, timely, and inexpensive.

Internet Addiction Among Male Adolescents in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Internet has become an important part of the daily life of adolescents. Easy access to internet and its social appeal among adolescent males render them at an increased risk of internet addiction and the associated adverse physical and psychosocial effects. We conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. A purposive sample of nine male adolescents was recruited in West Java, Indonesia. Semistructured interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. We identified four main themes from the experiences of adolescents with internet addition: reasons for internet addiction, unmet social need without the internet, effects of internet addiction, and self-control over internet usage. Internet addiction among male adolescents is a major public health problem that should be addressed. The findings of this study may be useful for health professionals and families to help male adolescents manage their internet addiction.

Loneliness and Mobile Phone Addiction Among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Roles of Boredom Proneness and Self-Control

INTRODUCTION

Mobile phones bring convenience to people's lives, but also affect their physical and mental health (especially in college students). Previous studies have revealed that mobile phone addiction is positively related to loneliness. This study further explored the mediating effects of boredom proneness and self-control on the relationship between loneliness and mobile phone addiction.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was conducted in the present study. The investigation employed the Chinese version of the UCLA Loneliness Self-report Scale, Boredom Proneness Scale-Short Form, the Chinese version of the Self-control scale, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index. Out of 1122 college students, 1078 completed the questionnaire survey and became our final subjects. PROCESS macro of SPSS 21 was used to conduct explore the mediating roles of boredom proneness and self-control in the relationship between loneliness and mobile phone addiction.

RESULTS

Loneliness, boredom proneness, and mobile phone addiction were significantly and positively correlated with each other, as well as significantly negatively correlated with self-control. Boredom proneness and self-control, when operating in parallel, partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and mobile phone addiction. By contrast, when occurring sequentially, they fully mediated the relationship between loneliness and mobile phone addiction.

CONCLUSION

Mobile phone addiction among lonely college students can be eliminated by exercising self-control and alleviating boredom proneness.

Overwhelmed by Technostress? Sensitive Archetypes and Effects in Times of Forced Digitalization

This paper explores technostress and its dimensions, assessing the relationship with possible negative effects in the individual, social and professional sphere. The study uses a self-reported approach of undergraduate students in Spain (n = 337), forced to follow their academic life by using technology comprehensively because of social distancing, as a public health action necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The analysis, based on the exploration of a system of archetypes of the use of social networks, presents insights into contemporary technostress management as a new approach that can suppose opportunities for the optimization of prevention plans. Pearson's correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (SEM-PLS) were the methods used for achieving the goals. The results reveal valid and reliable measures where technostress has a high impact on the individual sphere of students and there is a significant relationship between the type of user and techno-anxiety. The conclusions point to the imperative for developing a deeper understanding of technostress by archetypes, in both a higher education context (as antecedent) and the world of work, in an irreversible move towards a digital economy.

An examination of smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students according to various variables: A sample from Turkey

PURPOSE

It was aimed to examine smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students.

DESIGN AND METHOD

This descriptive and cross-sectional research was implemented with 1185 high school students. Data collection tools were "Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version," "UCLA Loneliness Scale," and "Parental Attitude Scale."

FINDINGS

As the level of addiction to smartphones rose, the percentage of students feeling lonely dropped (p < .001). Although the students' smartphone addiction was low, the rate of using the smartphone to be relieved of loneliness and for the purpose of the communication was high.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Education programs for improving the communication skills of adolescents that may be instrumental in reducing loneliness would in fact be effective in terms of smartphone usage and feelings of loneliness.

A network analysis of problematic smartphone use symptoms in a student sample

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous research has established risk factors for problematic smartphone use (PSU), but few studies to date have explored the structure of PSU symptoms. This study capitalizes on network analysis to identify the core symptoms of PSU in a large sample of students.

METHODS

This research investigated 26,950 grade 4 students (male = 13,271) and 11,687 grade 8 students (male = 5,739) using the smartphone addiction proneness scale (SAPS). The collected data were analyzed using a network analysis method, which can provide centrality indexes to determine the core symptoms of PSU. The two networks from the different groups were compared using a permutation test.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the core symptoms of students' problematic smartphone use were the loss of control and continued excessive use across the two samples.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that loss of control is a key feature of problematic smartphone use. The results also provide some evidence relevant to previous research from the perspective of network analysis and some suggestions for future treatment or prevention of students' problematic smartphone use.