Predictive Factors for Smartphone Dependence: Relationship to Demographic Characteristics, Chronotype, and Depressive State of University Students

Masahiro Toda^1*, Nobuhiro Nishio², Tatsuya Takeshita²

¹Graduate School of Human Life Sciences, Notre Dame Seishin University, Okayama, Japan.
²Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpm.2015.512051                

Abstract

We investigated factors contributing to smartphone dependence. To 196 medical university students, we administered a set of self-reporting questionnaires designed to evaluate demographic characteristics, smartphone dependence, chronotype, and depressive state. Smartphone dependence was evaluated using the Wakayama Smartphone-Dependence Scale (WSDS) with 3 subscales: Subscale 1, immersion in Internet communication; Subscale 2, using a smartphone for extended periods of time and neglecting social obligations and other tasks; Subscale 3, using a smartphone while doing something else and neglect of etiquette. Multiple regression analyses revealed that living in a family, eveningness, and presence of depression were associated with Subscale 1, that living in a family and eveningness were also associated with Subscale 2, and that being a man was associated with Subscale 3. These findings suggest that smartphone dependence can be predicted by factors such as gender, mode of residence, chronotype, or depressive state.

Keywords

Chronotype, Depressive State, Smartphone, University Students, Wakayama Smartphone-Dependence Scale (WSDS)

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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