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Youths’ Habitual Use of Smartphones Alters Sleep Quality and Memory: Insights from a National Sample of Chinese Students

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Listed:
  • Xiaojing Li

    (Center for Health and Medical Communication, School of Media & Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Siqi Fu

    (School of Media & Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Qiang Fu

    (School of Media & Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Bu Zhong

    (Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Pennsylvania State University, 7 Carnegie, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

Abstract

A growing body of work has been devoted to studying the smartphone addiction in youths and its impact on their lives, but less is known about the predictors and effects of youth habitual use of smartphones. Guided by social cognitive theory, this study investigates how habitual smartphone use affects sleep quality and everyday memory based on a nationally representative sample of Chinese students ( N = 2298). It uses a cluster-randomized sampling with stratification of different areas, consisting of both urban and rural students aged 6–18 years from elementary, middle, and high schools across China. It found that Chinese students exhibited a habitual smartphone use, who were generally confident in using mobile devices, but few had smartphone addiction. Significant gender and age differences were identified concerning the habitual use of smartphone. Specifically, boys demonstrated higher levels of habitual use and smartphone self-efficacy than the girls. High school students showed the highest level of habitual smartphone use compared to those in elementary and middle schools. Smartphone use duration, frequency, and self-efficacy predicted the habitual use, which also led to poorer sleep quality and worse memory outcomes. Prebedtime exposure moderated the relationship between habitual smartphone uses and sleep quality. The results show that students’ habitual smartphone use had a significant impact on their health, cognition and more, even when they exhibited little smartphone addiction. The findings contribute to a better understanding of smartphone impact on school-age youths.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaojing Li & Siqi Fu & Qiang Fu & Bu Zhong, 2021. "Youths’ Habitual Use of Smartphones Alters Sleep Quality and Memory: Insights from a National Sample of Chinese Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2254-:d:505325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bu Zhong & Fan Yang, 2018. "How We Watch TV Tomorrow?: Viewers' Perception Towards Interactivity on Smart TV," International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), IGI Global, vol. 9(4), pages 48-63, October.
    2. W. Saris & J. Batista-Foguet & G. Coenders, 2007. "Selection of Indicators for the Interaction Term in Structural Equation Models with Interaction," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 55-72, February.
    3. Bandura, Albert, 1991. "Social cognitive theory of self-regulation," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 248-287, December.
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    2. Xuejiao Chen & Kai Zhang & Yanting Huang, 2023. "Effect of Social Loneliness on Tourist Happiness: A Mediation Analysis Based on Smartphone Usage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-22, May.

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