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Has Smartphone Use Influenced Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan?

Author

Listed:
  • Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

  • Sumeet Lal

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

  • Sulemana Abdul-Salam

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

  • Pattaphol Yuktadatta

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

  • Louis McKinnon

    (Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley, 530 Evans Hall # 3880, Berkeley, CA 94720-3880, USA)

  • Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

  • Yoshihiko Kadoya

    (School of Economics, Hiroshima University, 1-2-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 7398525, Japan)

Abstract

The influence of smartphone use on increased risk of feeling lonely has been recognized as a global public health concern. However, it is unclear whether this influence has changed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, during which smartphones have become a particularly important means of communication due to health safety measures restricting personal interactions. We used Hiroshima University’s online survey data collected from 18–28 February 2022, to assess the impact of smartphone use on loneliness in Japan. The final sample included 2630 participants aged over 20 years, with loneliness measured using the UCLA scale and smartphone use calculated as the duration of usage in minutes/day. Weighted logit regression analysis was used to examine the association between smartphone use and loneliness, with other demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological characteristics as explanatory variables. Contrary to conventional evidence, our findings show that smartphone use mitigated the risk of loneliness during the pandemic. This was especially true among females under 65 years old. We found that age, subjective health status, future anxiety, and depression impacted this relationship. The findings of this study can help guide policymaking by showing the importance of providing adequate digital platforms to manage loneliness and mental health during times of isolation.

Suggested Citation

  • Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Sumeet Lal & Sulemana Abdul-Salam & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Louis McKinnon & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "Has Smartphone Use Influenced Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10540-:d:896188
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shunsuke Ono & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Takafumi Taniguchi & Tomoe Iitsuka & Masafumi Noguchi & Sawa Tanaka & Haruka Ito & Kousei Nakamura & Nanako Yasuhara & Chihiro Miyawaki & Katsumi Mikura & Mostafa, 2021. "Financial Literacy and Exercise Behavior: Evidence from Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Katharina Diehl & Charlotte Jansen & Kamila Ishchanova & Jennifer Hilger-Kolb, 2018. "Loneliness at Universities: Determinants of Emotional and Social Loneliness among Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Meredith E. David & James A. Roberts, 2021. "Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Versus Physical Distancing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-8, January.
    4. Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "Who Became Lonely during the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Investigation of the Socioeconomic Aspects of Loneliness in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2021. "Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison between Older and Younger People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Sumeet Lal & Sulemana Abdul-Salam & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "Financial Literacy, Financial Education, and Cancer Screening Behavior: Evidence from Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Orsolini & Giulio Longo & Umberto Volpe, 2023. "The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Abdul-Salam Sulemana & Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Sumeet Lal & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2023. "Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Urban and Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-12, August.
    3. 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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