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1 – 10 of over 12000Deepak Kingston and Suraj Kushe Shekhar
This study aims to explore the relationship between loneliness and addiction to smartphones, specifically examining whether gender and place of residence have a moderating effect…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationship between loneliness and addiction to smartphones, specifically examining whether gender and place of residence have a moderating effect on this association.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a comprehensive investigation to assess the correlation between loneliness and smartphone addiction, focusing on the potential moderating roles of gender and place of residence.
Findings
It was found that loneliness significantly contributes to the development of smartphone addiction across various demographics, irrespective of gender and place of residence. The initial hypothesis that gender and place of residence would moderate the relationship between loneliness and smartphone addiction was not supported.
Originality/value
This study advances our understanding of the mechanisms through which loneliness can lead to smartphone addiction, highlighting its role in potentially exacerbating mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The findings underscore the universal impact of loneliness on smartphone addiction, contributing to the broader discourse on mental health and technology use.
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Chibueze Anosike, Mario-Ephraim Afam Ogbu, Ezinwanne Jane Ugochukwu, Rita Chinenye Osefo and Jonathan Chimaobi Nwaji
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction, mental health and sleep quality among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian public…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction, mental health and sleep quality among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian public university.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian university. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, including Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short version, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and the Pearson correlation. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Findings
A total of 410 undergraduate pharmacy students participated in the study, giving a response rate of 95.57%. The prevalence of smartphone addiction, depression and anxiety symptoms were 40.24%, 28.30% and 23.66%, respectively. Most students had poor sleep quality (96.10%). The prevalence of smartphone addiction had a moderate positive correlation with the severity of depression (r = 0.363, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.261, p < 0.01) symptoms. Nevertheless, smartphone addiction showed no connection with sleep quality (r = 0.022, p = 0.663).
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted in a single public university in Nigeria, hence this might limit its generalizability. The provision of mental health support within universities could help address the high prevalence of smartphone addiction, mental health issues and poor sleep quality.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to examine smartphone addiction among pharmacy students in a resource-limited setting with multicultural and multiethnic groups.
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Triantoro Safaria, Yusti Probowati Rahayu and Soerjantini Rahaju
Previous studies have identified concerns and anxiety in individuals who are without their mobile phones, which is known as nomophobia, an acronym for “no mobile phone phobia.”…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous studies have identified concerns and anxiety in individuals who are without their mobile phones, which is known as nomophobia, an acronym for “no mobile phone phobia.” However, there is currently limited evidence of qualitative research that explores nomophobia. The purpose of this study is to explore personal experiences and individual meanings associated with mobile phone use and nomophobia.
Design/methodology/approach
To address this gap, the present study employed a Heideggerian phenomenological approach to investigate the issue. Ten college students, who have medium to high nomophobia were selected as respondents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which were then transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings
A deep understanding of the psychological dynamics, experiences, meanings, perceptions and beliefs of individuals regarding smartphone use can only be explored through a qualitative approach that presents personal statements of individuals through in-depth semi-structured interviews. This study contributes to a deep understanding of the psychological dynamic of nomophobia.
Research limitations/implications
This study has limitations that must be carefully considered. First, the respondents came from a university with a sample size of 10 people, which may not fully represent the phenomenon of nomophobia among students due to differences in cultural and academic backgrounds. However, we addressed this limitation by selecting only students who scored moderate to high levels of nomophobia. Second, the researchers acknowledge that the sample used in the study may not be fully representative of the broader target population or a larger group, as previously mentioned. Therefore, generalizing the findings of this research must be done carefully, being cautious and thoughtful to avoid hasty conclusions.
Practical implications
In the functional context, it is recommended for individuals to be more mindful of their smartphone usage and strive to strike a balance between utilizing their device's capabilities for productive purposes and avoiding excessive dependency that may lead to distractions or information overload. This includes limiting excessive smartphone usage for entertainment purposes, restricting aimless and irrelevant Internet browsing and implementing effective time management when using smartphones. For smartphone users from the ontological context, the advice is to critically evaluate their digital presence and ensure that their online activities align with their true values and self-perception, promoting responsible and ethical smartphone use. Engaging in fasting or break sessions by completely turning off the smartphone at specific times and utilizing that time for activities such as reading books, writing and engaging in spiritual practices, or exercising is also advisable. In the anthropomorphic context, individuals are advised to reflect on the potential emotional dependence on their smartphones and consider establishing healthy boundaries to avoid excessive reliance on these devices to fulfill emotional needs. One practical recommendation is to engage in self-reflection, where individuals take some time to ponder their smartphone usage patterns and emotional attachment to the device. They should ask themselves why they feel the need to constantly check their phone and how it impacts their emotions and overall well-being.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a deep understanding of the psychological dynamics of nomophobia by exploring the experiences, meanings, perceptions, and beliefs of individuals regarding smartphone use.
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Naurin Farooq Khan, Hajra Murtaza, Komal Malik, Muzammil Mahmood and Muhammad Aslam Asadi
This research aims to understand the smartphone security behavior using protection motivation theory (PMT) and tests the current PMT model employing statistical and predictive…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to understand the smartphone security behavior using protection motivation theory (PMT) and tests the current PMT model employing statistical and predictive analysis using machine learning (ML) algorithms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a total of 241 questionnaire-based responses in a nonmandated security setting and uses multimethod approach. The research model includes both security intention and behavior making use of a valid smartphone security behavior scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) – explanatory analysis was used in understanding the relationships. ML algorithms were employed to predict the accuracy of the PMT model in an experimental evaluation.
Findings
The results revealed that the threat-appraisal element of the PMT did not have any influence on the intention to secure smartphone while the response efficacy had a role in explaining the smartphone security intention and behavior. The ML predictive analysis showed that the protection motivation elements were able to predict smartphone security intention and behavior with an accuracy of 73%.
Research limitations/implications
The findings imply that the response efficacy of the individuals be improved by cybersecurity training programs in order to enhance the protection motivation. Researchers can test other PMT models, including fear appeals to improve the predictive accuracy.
Originality/value
This study is the first study that makes use of theory-driven SEM analysis and data-driven ML analysis to bridge the gap between smartphone security’s theory and practice.
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Vered Elishar-Malka, Yaron Ariel and Ruth Avidar
Usage patterns of mobile phones in Israel position them as instruments of great importance and as everyday, multipurpose, and interpersonal devices. This study utilizes a critical…
Abstract
Usage patterns of mobile phones in Israel position them as instruments of great importance and as everyday, multipurpose, and interpersonal devices. This study utilizes a critical perspective of the “uses and gratifications” approach to explore the usage of and gratification sought from smartphone usage of millennials. Sixty personal in-depth interviews were conducted during 2013 with millennials (undergraduate students) with the primary goal of exploring millennials’ perceptions of smartphone usages, as well as their personal experiences with smartphones and the role of smartphones in their lives. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze students’ reflections on the roles of smartphones in their lives. Participants have expressed a great bonding with their smartphone and relationships that can be described in term of "love and hate.” The thematic analysis highlighted the addictive elements of using their smartphone, that is, using it more frequently and under undesired circumstances than one would like to, and even becoming anxious about losing the device or even getting too far away from it. Other leading themes included the influence of external pressures to use smartphones, the varied usefulness that smartphones serve in participants’ lives, and a strong sense of "Fear of missing out" as an explanation for their extensive use of their smartphones. The findings of this chapter indicate that smartphones have become an indispensable medium among young adults, used due to practical, as well as to emotional reasons; inner, as well as external impulses.
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Aysel Sultan, Doris Bühler-Niederberger and Nigar Nasrullayeva
Smartphones play an integral part in many children's lives. Their constant presence in various contexts and the multitude of affordances they present have a tremendous effect on…
Abstract
Smartphones play an integral part in many children's lives. Their constant presence in various contexts and the multitude of affordances they present have a tremendous effect on how childhoods are lived today. One important aspect is the way children's interaction with smartphones can affect relationships and particularly generational relations. In this explorative study, we investigated Azerbaijani children's interaction with smartphones in the family and at school using the sociomaterial and relational approaches. Thinking relationally, we followed children's stories to unravel how smartphones can mediate different types of behavior and assist children in negotiating their place in generational order with the adults in their lives. Analyses suggest that smartphones can both present children with bargaining power to negotiate pleasure and fun as well as means to reinforce the generational order by children themselves. The findings point out that children often transfer social norms and expectations placed on them to the ways they use smartphones.
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Haroon Iqbal Maseeh, Charles Jebarajakirthy, Achchuthan Sivapalan, Mitchell Ross and Mehak Rehman
Smartphone apps collect users' personal information, which triggers privacy concerns for app users. Consequently, app users restrict apps from accessing their personal…
Abstract
Purpose
Smartphone apps collect users' personal information, which triggers privacy concerns for app users. Consequently, app users restrict apps from accessing their personal information. This may impact the effectiveness of in-app advertising. However, research has not yet demonstrated what factors impact app users' decisions to use apps with restricted permissions. This study is aimed to bridge this gap.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative research method, the authors collected the data from 384 app users via a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using AMOS and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).
Findings
The findings suggest privacy concerns and risks have a significant positive effect on app usage with restricted permissions, whilst reputation, trust and perceived benefits have significant negative impact on it. Some app-related factors, such as the number of apps installed and type of apps, also impact app usage with restricted permissions.
Practical implications
Based on the findings, the authors provided several implications for app stores, app developers and app marketers.
Originality/value
This study examines the factors that influence smartphone users' decisions to use apps with restricted permission requests. By doing this, the authors' study contributes to the consumer behaviour literature in the context of smartphone app usage. Also, by explaining the underlying mechanisms through which the principles of communication privacy management theory operate in smartphone app context, the authors' research contributes to the communication privacy management theory.
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Nadia Jimenez, Sonia San Martin and Paula Rodríguez-Torrico
This study aims to focus on how smartphone addiction impacts young consumer behavior related to mobile technology (i.e. the compulsive app downloading tendency). After a thorough…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on how smartphone addiction impacts young consumer behavior related to mobile technology (i.e. the compulsive app downloading tendency). After a thorough literature review and following the risk and protective factors framework, this study explores factors that could mitigate its effects (resilience, family harmony, perceived social support and social capital).
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the covariance-based structural equation modeling approach to analyze data collected from 275 Generation Z (Gen Z) smartphone users in Spain.
Findings
Results suggest that resilience is a critical factor in preventing smartphone addiction, and smartphone addiction boosts the compulsive app downloading tendency, a relevant downside for younger Gen Z consumers.
Originality/value
Through the lens of the risk and protective factors framework, this study focuses on protective factors to prevent smartphone addiction and its negative side effects on app consumption. It also offers evidence of younger consumers’ vulnerability to smartphone addiction, not because of the device itself but because of app-consumption-related behaviors.
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With an extensive range of information available at the swipe of a finger, the smartphone has become a ubiquitous tool for augmenting conversation. Users of English as a lingua…
Abstract
Purpose
With an extensive range of information available at the swipe of a finger, the smartphone has become a ubiquitous tool for augmenting conversation. Users of English as a lingua franca (ELF) often rely on such technology to help establish friendships by using them to sustain intersubjectivity. But how do they manage the multiple involvements this entails, such as participating in current talk while searching for linguistic items?
Methodology/approach
This study employs multimodal Conversation Analysis to undertake a detailed account of the way two young people, a Japanese male (22) and an Indonesian male (16) incorporate smartphones into their lingua franca English interaction. The analysis is based on naturally occurring conversations video-recorded by the Japanese participant, while both boys were living with an American homestay family.
Findings
The analysis explores the role of the smartphone in forward-oriented repair, including how the interactants, look up unfamiliar words, delay turn progressivity to fit those words into the turn-in-progress, and use images to accompany an unclear term. Speakers also occasionally abandon a look-up in order to reformulate the turn without the smartphone, relying instead on their own interactional competence.
Originality/value
The study offers insight into the way young people use smartphones as an affordance to manage and repair aspects of their L2 talk, enabling them to enhance their current interactional competence by drawing on the vast range of semiotic resources the phone possesses. Ensuring understanding is essential for developing and maintaining friendships, and for this particular peer culture of lingua franca English speakers, smartphones are a key tool for accomplishing that. As such, the study will be of interest to researchers and educators in the fields of both technology and interaction.
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