Problematic smartphone use in young adults: examining gender differences, self-control, self-efficacy, loneliness and trait mindfulness
Authors
Rosi, Rebecca
Issue Date
2023-03
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Abstract
The present quantitative mixed-design study aimed to investigate between-subjects cross-sectional gender differences in problematic smartphone use, study the predictive role of self-control and self-efficacy on problematic smartphone use, examine the predictive role of problematic smartphone use on loneliness and analyse the causal relationship between trait mindfulness and problematic smartphone use in a population of young adults. 83 participants aged 18 to 25 who own a smartphone completed an anonymous online questionnaire, containing demographic questions and self-report measures, which was shared on social media platforms. An independent samples t-test revealed that there were no significant gender differences among males and females based on problematic smartphone use levels. For the within-subjects correlations, 3 regressions where run, resulting in the following findings: 1) Self-control but not self-efficacy significantly, negatively predicted problematic smartphone use levels. 2) There was no significant correlation between problematic smartphone use and loneliness. 3) There was a significant, inverse causal relationship between trait mindfulness and problematic smartphone use. These findings elucidate the importance of self-control and trait-mindfulness in the prevention and reduction of smartphone-related problematic behaviours, and they provide a basis for the investigation and development of effective interventions to assist young adults.