Kiara Ramon-Lozano

Dr. Sharity Nelson

ENGL 1302-231

5 February 2024

The Correlation Between Mental and Emotional Wellness and Smartphone Use in University

Students: An Annotated Bibliography

Abuhamdah, Sawsan M. A., and Abdallah Y. Naser. “Smartphone Addiction and Its Mental

Health Risks among University Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study.” BMC

Psychiatry, vol. 23, no. 812, 2023, pp. 1-9, Academic Search Complete,

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05322-6.

Abuhamdah and Naser studied the pervasiveness of mobile phone dependence and

emotional turmoil in 2,337 Jordanian university students to determine whether one’s

mindset and demographics influences their susceptibility to problematic smartphone use

and mental instability (3). To quantify students’ “mental distress” and mobile phone

addiction, participants responded to Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale and the

Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) (2). Participants whose SAS response sums

surmounted 30 points on a scale from 10 to 60 were considered dependent on their

mobile device; based on Kessler’s scale, those who scored above 30 points on a scale

from 10 to 50 were considered severely emotionally distressed (3). 59.1% of participants

experienced “severe psychological distress” and 56.7% were considered cell phone

addicted (3-4). Abuhamdah and Naser concluded that female students who reported

feeling lethargic and claimed that their mobile phone use worsened their ability to sleep
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and think were more likely to experience a “severe mental disorder” and mobile phone

dependence (6). These results suggest a correlation between characteristics of mental

health issues and cell phone dependence, highlighting their frequency in undergraduates.

Chen, Baifeng, et al. “Gender Differences in Factors Associated with Smartphone Addiction: A

Cross-Sectional Study among Medical College Students.” BMC Psychiatry, vol. 17, no.

341, 2017, pp. 1-9. Academic Search Complete,

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1503-z.

Chen, et al. evaluated the role of gender in problematic smartphone use through

surveying 1,441 undergraduate students at a Chinese medical university (2). Participants

detailed the most common reasons for their mobile phone use and completed

questionnaires that measure indications of anxiety and depression and mobile phone

dependence (2). Students’ survey responses were transferred to SPSS where factors were

analyzed individually and compared to one another to identify possible correlations

between variables (3). This study was limited to undergraduates from one university and

was not longitudinal, meaning that its findings cannot be universally assumed true (7-8).

Chen, et al. discovered that men who use their smartphones for mobile games and women

who use their phones for social media are more susceptible to smartphone addiction,

noting that smartphone addiction is more prevalent among men (7). Chen, et al.’s findings

contradict previous studies evaluating gender differences among smartphone users and

suggests a connection between two common mental disorders and smartphone

dependence.
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Ercengiz, Mustafa, et al. “Differentiation of Self, Emotion Management Skills, and Nomophobia

among Smartphone Users: the Mediating and Moderating Roles of Intolerance of

Uncertainty.” The Social Science Journal, 2020, pp. 1-15. Taylor & Francis Online,

https://doi.org/10.1080/03623319.2020.1833148.

Nomophobia–known as the fear of being without a smartphone–is said to persist in

modern society (2). Using the Nomophobia Questionnaire and three psychological

surveys, Ercengiz, et al. evaluated 398 Turkish college students’ ability to regulate their

thoughts and feelings when faced with unpredictability, social pressures, and daily

stressors (2-4, 6). Ercengiz, et al. reported that individuals with a greater capacity for

independent thought were less likely to display nomophobic tendencies; furthermore,

those who struggle to be independent and cope with unpredictability were more likely to

experience nomophobia (2). This study alone cannot verify the relationships above since

data was self-reported at a particular point in time (11). Ercengiz, et al. argue that

students’ inability to cope with unpredictability suggests that social and internal

insecurities can develop into smartphone anxiety (3). These findings provide a foundation

for further research and suggest that students with social and mental health issues are

more likely to develop an additional psychological issue: nomophobia.

Hashemi, Shima, et al. “Investigate the Relationship Between Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale with

Depression, Anxiety and Stress among University Students.” BMC Psychiatry, vol. 22,

no. 755, 2022, pp. 1-9. Academic Search Complete,

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04419-8.
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Hashemi, et al. studied the correlation between poor mental health and problematic

smartphone use in undergraduate and graduate students attaining science degrees in Iran

(3). Hashemi, et al. establish that the growing number of people who are online makes

more individuals susceptible to the implications of excessive electronic device use (2).

Hashemi, et al. administered the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and

Cell-phone Over-Use Scale (COS) surveys to 212 participants (3). The DASS-21 consists

of three sections with the results for each section ranging from normal to extremely

severe (3). Those with scores below 25 on the COS questionnaire rarely use their phone,

while those with sums over 75 use their phone more often than necessary (3). Data was

interpreted through a statistics software program to avoid errors, but it was subject to

participant’s biases (3). Other limitations include the narrow range of participants and

lack of longitudinal study (7). Hashemi, et al. concluded that students who use their

phone in excess are more likely to demonstrate characteristics of stress and anxiety; thus,

smartphone addiction likely causes emotional distress (7). These findings demonstrate a

need for intervention regarding smartphone dependence in college students to prevent

harm to their mental health.

Kuru, Tacettin, and Sinem Çelenk. “The Relationship among Anxiety, Depression, and

Problematic Smartphone Use in University Students: The Mediating Effect of

Psychological Inflexibility.” Alpha Psychiatry, vol. 22, no. 3, 2021, pp 159-164.

Academic Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.5455/apd.136695.

Kuru and Çelenk tested two hypotheses that investigate whether mental rigidity

elucidates the correlation between depression and anxiety characteristics and excessive
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phone use in Turkish 412 college students (160). This study sought to understand

potential causes of excessive mobile phone use to inspire effective intervention for

college students who suffer from mental health issues and struggle to limit their

smartphone use as a result (162). To measure their mental health and the intensity of their

cell phone dependence and mental rigidity, participants responded to four Likert scale

questionnaires (160). As hypothesized, those who expressed more anxiety symptoms

were at risk for mobile phone dependence as a result of increases in mental rigidity (161).

Similarly, depression and excessive cell phone dependence and use are correlated

individually, but the two variables are more closely related when mental rigidity is

present (161-162). Kuru and Çelenk refer to a figure that clarifies the indirect and direct

correlations found between variables (161). Besides the fact that self-report biases are

associated with the data collected and the transverse nature of this study, Kuru and

Çelenk address that the survey used to measure mental rigidity minimizes aspects of this

behavioral pattern (163). This study demonstrates a relevant pattern to target when

treating anxious and depressed college students who struggle with cell phone addiction

and overuse.

Liu, Fengbo, et al. “Effectiveness of Brief Mindfulness Intervention for College Students’

Problematic Smartphone Use: The Mediating Role of Self-Control.” PLoS ONE, vol. 17,

no. 12, 2022, pp. 1-13. Academic Search Complete,

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279621.

Excessive technology use is a global occurrence that gives rise to physical and mental

health concerns, especially in China (2). As a result, Liu, et al. conducted a controlled
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experiment on 44 undergraduates from a Chinese university to assess whether a half-hour

implementation of a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce excessive cell

phone use, either directly or indirectly (5). Before and after their sessions, students filled

out three Likert-scale surveys that separately measured their discipline level, mobile

phone dependence, and capacity for awareness and acceptance (4-5). Participants in the

experimental group experienced “mindful breathing and body scanning,” while those in

the control group listened to news reports (5). Liu, et al. separately compared pre- and

post-assessment data of both groups; they then compared the correlation of the variables

studied and observed changes in mindset between the experimental and control groups

(5). Liu, et al. correctly hypothesized that minutes of mindfulness treatment decreases

cell phone addiction by developing self-discipline (3-4). Nonetheless, this study cannot

definitively claim that increasing environmental and self-awareness and acceptance has

lasting effects on cell phone use because data was self-reported and few students

participated (10). Liu, et al.’s study is unique, for it suggests that individuals who overuse

their smartphone can alleviate or reduce their addiction through non-time-consuming

approaches.

Mohamed, Zaibab K., et al. “Smartphone Addiction and Its Relation to Social Phobia in Female

University Students.” Middle East Current Psychiatry, vol. 30, no. 74, 2023, pp. 1-10.

Academic Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-023-00327-z.

Mohamed, et al. interviewed 540 female undergraduates from various disciplines to

evaluate whether social anxiety disorder can predict mobile phone dependence (2).

Medical professionals conducted a one-hour interview with each participant to verify that
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they did not have a mental health issue according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

of Mental Disorders and to prevent other factors from altering results; in a second

interview, students responded to the Social Phobia Inventory and Smartphone Addiction

Scale questionnaires (3). Mohamed, et al. found that nearly 50% of students had mild or

moderate social anxiety and roughly a quarter of students had a severe form of social

anxiety; moreover, students attaining degrees in fields that require hands-on experience

were less likely to be mobile phone-dependent and had less students with severe social

anxiety (5). Despite students’ selected course of study, higher social anxiety levels were

correlated with higher levels of cell phone addiction (6). Mohamed, et al.’s study is

pertinent because it explores how students’ selected major may relate to excessive

smartphone use–and, potentially, mental health issues–while also contributing

background knowledge for future longitudinal study of cell phone dependence.

Squires, Lauren R., et al. “Psychological Distress, Emotion Dysregulation, and Coping

Behaviour: a Theoretical Perspective of Problematic Smartphone Use.” International

Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, vol. 19, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1284-1299. Academic

Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00224-0.

Squires, et al. studied the impact of emotional processing on poor mental health and

mobile phone overuse in 204 Canadian college students (1289). The researchers claim

that the existing studies on cell phone addiction and overuse cannot verify or deny the

correlations suggested because of their limitations, so they aimed to evaluate whether

these assumptions can lay a foundation for further study in a broader context (1285-86).

Students filled out an online survey that consisted of the Difficulties in Emotion
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Regulation Scale-18, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, and Smartphone Addiction

Scale-Short Version (1290). Squires, et al. hypothesized that increases in symptoms of

“psychological distress” and worsens one’s ability to manage their emotional responses,

which results in the individual using their phone in excess–possibly to avoid confronting

unpleasant thoughts (1287-88). Squires, et al. created a figure that is harmonious with the

results of this study and similar research that models the suggested mediating effect of

DERS-18 scores on DASS-21 and SAS-SV scores (1293). This study acknowledges the

shortcomings of current research and emphasizes the similarities between other models

that compare technology dependence with mental and emotional health (1294-95).

Yadav, Shiv K., et al. “A Study to Evaluate Pattern and Purpose of Smartphone Usage and Its

Dependence among Medical Students of Government Medical College in Northern

India.” Indian Journal of Community Health, vol. 34, no. 1, 2022, pp. 36-41. Academic

Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2022.v34i01.008.

Yadav, et al. surveyed 363 students attaining their bachelor’s degree in medicine and

surgery in India to observe the prominence of cell phone reliance and identify potential

reasons for overuse (37). Participants completed the nomophobia questionnaire and

answered questions regarding their demographics, common reasons for phone use, and

frequency of messaging, calling, emailing, etc (37-38). Yadav, et al. included a table and

four figures that summarize and organize the data collected (40-41). 93% of students used

their phones out of boredom, 60% had a daily screen time of more than 3 hours on their

phone alone, and over 90% had a moderate to extreme cell phone addiction according to

the Nomophobia Questionnaire (38, 40). Yadav, et al. found that nomophobia
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questionnaire scores were correlated with students’ year of study and the amount of

messages and calls they send and receive (38). This study suggests potential predictors of

nomophobia and cell phone addiction in medical students that could be the focus of

future, longitudinal studies.

Yang, Xiaofan, et al. “Perceived Social Support, Depressive Symptoms, Self-Compassion, and

Mobile Phone Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Analysis.” Behavioral Sciences, vol.

13, no. 9, 2023, pp. 1-13. Academic Search Complete,

https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090769.

Yang, et al. surveyed 874 undergraduate students in China to investigate how their cell

phone dependence and the assumed strength of their support systems are affected by their

“depressive symptoms” and “self-compassion” (3-4). Students responded to the

Perceived Social Support Scale, Mobile Phone Addiction Index,

Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, and Self-Compassion Short Form surveys online to

assess their symptoms (4-5). Yang, et al. tested their study for biases that may result

because of participants’ self-reported symptoms, but they determined that it did not have

an overwhelming statistical impact on their study (5). As summarized in a figure, it was

hypothesized that kindness toward oneself may lessen the risk of “depressive symptoms”

and cell phone dependence (4). Yang, et al. concluded that students with a weaker support

system were more susceptible to “symptoms of depression,” which may result in cell

phone reliance; in addition, support systems only played a significant role in cell phone

addiction if students’ kindness toward themselves was low (8-9). The conclusions of this

study suggest that college students’ smartphone addictions and mental health issues are
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correlated, and, for those who struggle with internal kindness, addiction is not solely

dependent on internal factors.