University of Twente Student Theses
Smartphone screen time and mental health : are they related?
Föckel, S.M. (2022) Smartphone screen time and mental health : are they related?
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| Abstract: | Young adults use their smartphones for around three to six hours daily. Existing literature is mixed whether the increased smartphone screen time relates to the increased depression and suicide rates of the last decades. Individuals higher in trait self-control spent less time in front of smartphones and were less prone to the risk of experiencing symptoms of depression. The present study examined whether trait self-control moderates the relationship between daily smartphone screen time and symptoms of depression among young adults aged between 18 and 29 years. Method. A cross-sectional online research design was applied, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS). 88,43% of the 124 participants indicated their smartphone screen time based on tracking applications. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the hypotheses. Results. Symptoms of depression were positively associated with daily smartphone screen time. Multiple regression analysis showed that trait self-control does not act as a moderator on the relationship between daily smartphone screen time and symptoms of depression. No inferences can be made about a causal relationship between the concepts based on the limitations of a cross-sectional study design. Discussion. The current study arrived at similar results as previous research and found a significant, positive, weak relationship between smartphone screen time and symptoms of depression. However, the findings indicated that the level of trait self-control did not play a role in this association. Future research might examine different smartphone usage behaviors and users’ screen time appraisal. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/89797 |
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