Associations between problematic mobile phone use and psychological parameters in young adults

Int J Public Health. 2012 Apr;57(2):437-41. doi: 10.1007/s00038-011-0234-z. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to address possible associations between excessive or dysfunctional use of mobile phones and certain psychological variables.

Methods: Our study focuses on Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PU) in 196 young adults. A survey was arranged to measure PU, daily mobile phone use in minutes, use of short message service (SMS) and also included psychological and health variables (e.g., chronic stress, depression).

Results: Statistic analysis indicates that chronic stress, low emotional stability, female gender, young age, depression, and extraversion are associated with PU.

Conclusions: Future research needs to clarify the causality of these findings and should also intend to develop concepts for a more meaningful use of mobile phone and related technologies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Austria / epidemiology
  • Cell Phone / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Sex Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult