Smartphone addiction and associated consequences: role of loneliness and self-regulation

ABSTRACT

The ‘smartphone addiction’ is a popular theme in media. It has number of clear behavioural changes in addicts’ life and some of these aspects are yet to get due research attention. The present study identifies antecedents of smartphone addiction and its associated conflicts. The findings are based on data collected from adolescents, who are major targets for smartphone advertising and also vulnerable to addictions. The findings established ‘loneliness’ and ‘self-regulation’ as the main antecedents for smartphone addiction along with family, personal conflicts and poor academic performance as the significant negative consequences of its excessive use. The study findings would help to create awareness and offer insights for developing effective interventions for addressing smartphone addiction amongst adolescents. The planners, regulatory and administrative authorities will use the study findings to formulate measures that would promote positive coping mechanism to prevent smartphone addiction among adolescents.     

Who overuses Smartphones? Roles of virtues and parenting style in Smartphone addiction among Chinese college students

Several empirical studies have linked negative parenting style (i.e., parental rejection and overprotection) with a higher degree of Smartphone addiction. However, few studies have analyzed the potential protective factors (e.g., virtues) that may prevent addiction and promote effective Smartphone addiction interventions. Therefore, we examined if virtues (i.e., relationship, vitality, and conscientiousness) mediated the association between parenting style and Smartphone addiction among college students. Moreover, we examined whether these relationships were moderated by gender. Chinese college students (N = 742) ages 16–25 years completed the: 1) short-Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran-Chinese measure of parenting style, 2) 96-item Chinese Virtues Questionnaire, and the 3) Mobile Phone Addiction Index of Smartphone addiction. The results showed that negative parenting style significantly influenced college students' Smartphone addiction. Furthermore, virtues acted as a cognitive mechanism that mediated the association between negative parenting style and Smartphone addiction. Moreover, male virtues may be more sensitive to negative parenting style than female virtues. Relevant suggestions for college administrators, educators, parents, and future researchers are offered.     

Relationships among smartphone addiction,anxiety, and family relations

Smartphones have become ubiquitous in people’s lives to an extent that necessitates the investigation of their negative impact. The scarcity of such investigations triggered our interest in examining the relationships among smartphone addiction, anxiety, and family relations. A total of 381 university students participated in an online survey composed of demographic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Binary logistic regression analysis and structural equation modelling showed that undergraduate students who had smartphone addiction demonstrated greater odds of having high anxiety compared to those who were not addicted, and students who had high anxiety exhibited greater odds of having clinically significant problems in their family relations. Nevertheless, path analysis showed that anxiety mediated a positive relationship between smartphone addiction and problematic family relations.     

Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI): Psychometric properties and confirmatory factor analysis

The Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) was developed to assess smartphone addiction in Taiwanese university students. The purpose of the current research is to evaluate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the SPAI in Italian university students. A total of 485 university students (29.3% boys) completed the SPAI and the Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT).The proposed four-factor model of the SPAI-I was tested by computing CFA, and the results of the goodness of fit indices indicated an ambiguous solution. An exploratory-confirmatory cross validation strategy was applied for a better trimming of SPAI-I factorial structure. Results suggested a five-factor solution that explained 53% of the total variance (Time Spent, Compulsivity, Daily Life Interference, Craving, and Sleep Interference). Excellent internal consistency and five factor correlations were reported for the SPAI-I. This five-factor model showed good convergent validity with the Internet Addiction Disorder Test. Considering that evidence shows that overuse of a smartphone can be associated with adverse and problematic effects, the SPAI-I should be useful for determining its potential for the use in future research in Europe and for comparing the evaluation of smartphone overuse of young European people with other international Asiatic studies that have incorporated the SPAI.     

Utilising the co-occurrence of user interface interactions as a risk indicator for smartphone addiction

The push to a connected world where people carry an always-online device which has been designed to maximise instant gratification and prompts users via notifications has lead to a surge of potentially problematic behaviour as a result. This has lead to a rising interest in addressing and understanding the addictiveness of smartphone usage, as well as for particular applications (apps). However, capturing addiction from usage involves not only assessment of potential addiction risk but also requires understanding of the complex interactions that define user behaviour and how these can be effectively isolated and summarised. In this paper, we examine the correlation of physical user interface (UI) interactions (e.g. taps and scrolls) and smartphone addiction risk using a large dataset of those smartphone events (65,093,343, N=301,024 sessions) collected from 64 users over an 8-week period with an accompanying smartphone addiction survey. Our novel method which reports on the probability of a users addiction risk and in a model case we show how it was be used to identify 57 of 64 users correctly. This supports our observations of UI events during sessions of usage being indicative of addiction risk while improving previous approaches which rely on summative data such as screen on time. Within this we also find that users only exhibit addictive behaviour in a subset of all sessions while using their smartphone.     

Modelling smartphone addiction: The role of smartphone usage,self-regulation,general self-efficacy and cyberloafing in university students

The present study investigates the roles of smartphone usage, self-regulation, general self-efficacy and cyberloafing in smartphone addiction. We conducted an online survey which received responses from 598 participants attending a public university in Ankara, Turkey. The results showed that both the duration of smartphone usage and cyberloafing positively affected smartphone addiction. The effect of self-regulation on smartphone addiction was negative and significant. In addition, neither self-regulation nor general self-efficacy had an effect on cyberloafing. Research results are discussed within the context of the effect of smartphone addiction on learning environments and individuals.     

Depression,loneliness and Internet addiction: How important is low self-control?

This study aimed to explore both the direct and indirect relationships between depression, loneliness, low self-control, and Internet addiction in a sample of Turkish youth, based on a cognitive-behavioral model of generalized problematic Internet use. Data for the present study were collected from 648 undergraduate students with a mean age of 22.46 years (SD = 2.45). Participants completed scales for depression, loneliness, self-control and Internet addiction. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model in which depression and loneliness predicted Internet addiction through low self-control. The findings revealed that of the two factors, only loneliness was related to Internet addiction through low self-control. The results are discussed in terms of the cognitive-behavioral model of generalized problematic Internet use, and implications for practice are considered.     

Identifying commonalities and differences in personality characteristics of Internet and social media addiction profiles: traits,self-esteem,and self-construal

Excessive use of the Internet and social media has been associated with behavioural addiction, which sparked the researchers’ interest in gaining a better understanding of this global phenomenon. The aim of this study was to fill a gap in knowledge by using just one sample to identify similarities and differences in relationships between technology addictions and personality characteristics, especially traits, self-esteem, and self-construal. The sample consisted of 512 undergraduate students. The results showed that Internet addiction and social media addiction shared many more similarities than differences. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experiences, emotional stability, self-esteem, the frequency of checking account, and Internet usage were predictors of both Internet addiction and social media addiction. Age, satisfaction with life, and interdependent self-construal did not predict Internet addiction or social media addiction, whereas real self and extraversion predicted Internet addiction only, and gender, posting updates, a number of friends, and independent self-construal predicted social media addiction only. These results provide some basis for an understanding of Internet and social media addiction profiles.     

一种基于智能手机蓝牙技术的机器人控制系统

在小型家用机器人控制领域,如何通过智能设备进行机器人控制是该领域的热点问题之一。文中提出了一种基于智能手机蓝牙技术的机器人控制系统。文章首先介绍了采用的蓝牙通讯协议,然后阐述了基于蓝牙技术和智能手机的机器人控制系统的架构,最后详细介绍了该系统的具体实现。该系统很好地满足了对小型家用机器人运动控制的要求。     

一种基于智能手机蓝牙技术的机器人控制系统

在小型家用机器人控制领域,如何通过智能设备进行机器人控制是该领域的热点问题之一。文中提出了一种基于智能手机蓝牙技术的机器人控制系统。文章首先介绍了采用的蓝牙通讯协议,然后阐述了基于蓝牙技术和智能手机的机器人控制系统的架构,最后详细介绍了该系统的具体实现。该系统很好地满足了对小型家用机器人运动控制的要求。     

The relationships between Turkish adolescents’ Internet addiction,their perceived social support and family activities

The main purpose of this research is to investigate the relationships between adolescents’ Internet addiction, their perceived social support and the activities carried out with the mother, father and family. The study designed with the survey model involved 166 adolescents who applied to Merkez Efendi Public Hospital Moris ?inasi Children’s Clinic, Child Development Polyclinic between February 2012 and June 2012 for problems specific to the period of adolescence. The age range of the participants was between 12 and 18 with the average age of 15.5. The findings of the study revealed a medium level of negative relationship (r = −.37) between perceived social support and Internet addiction. The adolescents spending time with their mothers had a higher level of perceived social support and a lower level of Internet addiction. Also, t-test was applied to see whether the adolescents’ perceived social support and Internet addiction differed with respect to the activities they carried out with the mother, father and family. It was found out that a number of activities (watching TV, eating meals, chatting, shopping and spending time outside) the adolescents carried out with their mother increased their level of perceived social support although the levels of Internet addiction did not differ with respect to the types of activities carried out only with the mother, only with the father and with the family.     

基于智能手机与信任评价的商品防伪系统架构

提出一种基于智能手机与信任评价体系相结合的商品防伪系统架构．满足新型应用领域的需要。与旧的系统比较,能大幅提升了终端消费者的消费体验,并且降低系统复杂性．减少了硬件成本的费用,符合防伪溯源技术的未来发展趋势。     

The relationship between schizotypal personality and internet addiction in university students

The current study assessed the relationship between problematic internet behaviors, as measured by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and schizotypal personality traits, measured by the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE(B)). One hundred participants (aged between 20 and 30) were given a battery of psychometric assessments, including the IAT and O-LIFE(B), as well as measures of depression, and anxiety. Around 30% of the sample displayed responses to the IAT that suggested some problems controlling internet behaviors, and there was no gender difference in these figures. There were associations between both the impulsive nonconformity and introverted anhedonia schizotypal personality traits and problematic internet use, over and above those associated with depression and anxiety. This replicates some previous work that implies that impulsiveness and depression are predictive of behavioral addictions, but places them within a single construct. The findings also support the notion of two groups of users who display problematic internet behaviors – impulsive and depressed individuals.     

基于Bluetooth和智能手机的无绳电话应用方案*

从接入点结合Bluetooth智能手机出发,设计一种无绳电话应用方案。从功能上讲相当于Bluetooth无绳电话。不过是以一种应用方式,并以智能手机为平台建立。首先论述了智能手机和Bluetooth技术,然后在这基础上提出了本应用方案;最后重点阐述了方案的关键技术。     

Explaining the link between technostress and technology addiction for social networking sites: A study of distraction as a coping behavior

This paper investigates under what conditions stress from the use of SNS is linked to addiction to the use of the same SNS. Integrating three theoretical strands—the concept of feature‐rich Information Technology (IT), the theory of technology frames, and distraction as a coping behaviour—we theorize two types of coping behaviours in response to stressors experienced from the use of SNS. These are ‐ distraction through use of the same SNS and distraction through activities outside the use of the SNS. We hypothesize relationships between stressors from SNS use, the two coping behaviours and SNS addiction. We further articulate the role of SNS use habit. We test the hypotheses through a three‐wave survey of 444 Facebook users with data collected at three different points in time. The paper's contributions are to theorize and empirically validate the psychological concept of distraction as a coping behaviour in response to stress from the use of SNS and, in doing so, explain why there may be a link between technostress from and technology addiction to the use of the same SNS.     

Loneliness,social contacts and Internet addiction: A cross-lagged panel study

This study aims to examine the causal priority in the observed empirical relationships between Internet addiction and other psychological problems. A cross-lagged panel survey of 361 college students in Hong Kong was conducted. Results show that excessive and unhealthy Internet use would increase feelings of loneliness over time. Although depression had a moderate and positive bivariate relationship with Internet addiction at each time point, such a relationship was not significant in the cross-lagged analyses. This study also found that online social contacts with friends and family were not an effective alternative for offline social interactions in reducing feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, while an increase in face-to-face contacts could help to reduce symptoms of Internet addiction, this effect may be neutralized by the increase in online social contacts as a result of excessive Internet use. Taken as a whole, findings from the study show a worrisome vicious cycle between loneliness and Internet addiction.     

The paradox of phone attachment: Development and validation of the Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale (YAPS)

Accurate evaluation of people's attachment to phones is crucial to understanding the impact of phone use in everyday life. The Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale (YAPS) is a concise instrument, representing the first multi-dimensional measure of phone attachment. After item development involving focus groups with young adults and content validity analysis from attachment experts, a preliminary version of the YAPS was administered to 955 participants ages 18–29. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 2-dimension structure: Refuge, characterized by feeling safe with the phone and uncomfortable upon separation; and Burden, characterized by relief upon separation from the phone and the perception that it diminishes enjoyment of a given moment. Findings reflect the strong psychometric properties of the YAPS, including reliability, factorial validity and criterion validity with relevant constructs. The YAPS appears promising for future research aimed at understanding the nature of attachment to phones in human behavior.     

A study of the relationship between internet addiction,psychopathology and dysfunctional beliefs

Background and aimsPsychopathological symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety, increase with the severity of Internet Addiction (IA). In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship of severity of IA and Dysfunctional Attitudes (DA) with psychopathological characteristics.MethodsTwo hundred and twelve university students were included in the study. The subjects were assessed using the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS).ResultsThe subjects were divided into three groups according to the IAS, which was conducted to screen for IA: no addiction, mild and moderate/high addiction. 108 (50.9%) of the subjects were found to have no addiction, 70 (33.01%) to have a mild addiction and 34 (16.03%) to have a moderate/high addiction. Psychopathological symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes increase with the severity of IA. In addition to the psychopathologic features, dysfunctional attitudes have limited effects on explaining the IA.ConclusionsIn the cognitive-behavioral treatment of IA, focusing on a perfectionist attitude and a need for approval, which are part of a dysfunctional attitude, may be beneficial.     

Unveiling the dark side of social networking sites: Personal and work-related consequences of social networking site addiction

Although previous research has explored the effects of social networking site (SNS) use in organizations, researchers have focused little on its negative consequences. This article attempts to fill this void by examining, through the lens of social cognitive theory, the extent SNS addiction impacts personal and work environments. The results, based on 276 questionnaires completed by employees in a large information technology corporation, show that addiction to SNSs has negative consequences on the personal and work environments. SNS addiction reduces positive emotions that augment performance and enhance health. SNS addiction fosters task distraction, which inhibits performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Effects of social and technology overload on psychological well-being in young South Korean adults: The mediatory role of social network service addiction

This study examined the effects of social and information technology overload on psychological well-being. It also explored the mediating role of social network service (SNS) addiction in the hypothesized relationships between these variables. A sample of 419 college students and employees in their 20s and 30s, who were SNS users in South Korea, participated in the study. The results showed that social and information technology overload did not exert a direct impact on psychological well-being. SNS addiction served as a mediator in the relationships between these variables. The theoretical contributions and useful managerial implications of the study, with respect to reducing SNS users' addiction and improving their psychological well-being, were described.