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Problematic Smartphone Use and Mental Health in Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ningyuan Guo

    (School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Tzu Tsun Luk

    (School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Sai Yin Ho

    (School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jung Jae Lee

    (School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Chen Shen

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK)

  • John Oliffe

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Sophia Siu-Chee Chan

    (School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Tai Hing Lam

    (School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Man Ping Wang

    (School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been associated with anxiety and depression, but few explored its mental well-being correlates that could co-occur with or be independent of mental symptoms. We studied the associations of PSU with anxiety, depression, and mental well-being in Hong Kong Chinese adults in a probability-based survey ( N = 4054; 55.0% females; mean age ± SD 48.3 ± 18.3 years). PSU was measured using Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated using General Anxiety Disorder screener-2 (GAD-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2). Mental well-being was measured using Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS). Multivariable regression analyzed associations adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle-related variables. Associations of PSU with mental well-being were stratified by symptom severity of anxiety (GAD-2 cutoff of 3) and depression (PHQ-2 cutoff of 3). We found that PSU was associated with higher odds of anxiety and depression symptom severity and lower scores of SHS and SWEMWBS. Associations of PSU with lower SHS and SWEMWBS scores remained in respondents who screened negative for anxiety or depression symptoms. To conclude, PSU was associated with anxiety, depression, and impaired mental well-being. Associations of PSU with impaired mental well-being could be independent of anxiety or depression symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Ningyuan Guo & Tzu Tsun Luk & Sai Yin Ho & Jung Jae Lee & Chen Shen & John Oliffe & Sophia Siu-Chee Chan & Tai Hing Lam & Man Ping Wang, 2020. "Problematic Smartphone Use and Mental Health in Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:844-:d:314052
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Heidi Lepper, 1999. "A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 137-155, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2021. "Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Wenjie Li & Linting Zhang & Ning Jia & Feng Kong, 2021. "Validation of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities-Revised Scale in Chinese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Jasmine Gustafsson & Ann Ojala & Pauliina Hiltunen & Elina Engberg & Annika Wiklund-Engblom & Nea Törnwall & Eva Roos & Carola Ray, 2021. "Parental Mental Well-Being and Frequency of Adult-Child Nature Visits: The Mediating Roles of Parents’ Perceived Barriers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Seung-Yup Lee & Hae Kook Lee & Jung-Seok Choi & Soo-young Bang & Min-Hyeon Park & Kyu-In Jung & Yong-Sil Kweon, 2020. "The Matthew Effect in Recovery from Smartphone Addiction in a 6-Month Longitudinal Study of Children and Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Lingling Gao & Yiqun Gan & Amanda Whittal & Sonia Lippke, 2020. "Problematic Internet Use and Perceived Quality of Life: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Work-Time and Leisure-Time Internet Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.

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