Decreases in smartphone overuse and moderators among adults in general after the COVID-19 outbreak: A three-year prospective study

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-03-25 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108329

Toshitaka Hamamura , Taiki Oka , Masaru Honjo , Yuki Sakai , Saori C. Tanaka , Toshinori Chiba , Nao Kobayashi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led many individuals to utilize digital devices, including smartphones, to minimize in-person activities. How the pandemic brought about a long-term impact on smartphone overuse is still unclear owing to mixed results of previous studies. This prospective study investigated whether levels of smartphone overuse increased over three years after the COVID-19 outbreak. Recruited through a research marketing company, 86,827 Japanese adults were deemed eligible to take part in this study and responded to three outcome measures of smartphone overuse and other measures related to smartphone use and COVID-19. Data collection occurred before the outbreak in December 2019 and at six subsequent time points between the first outbreak in Japan and December 2022. Contrary to the hypothesis, a growth model analysis (GMA) revealed downward trajectories in all three smartphone overuse measures: the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Short Version, GMA d = −0.13; smartphone overuse, GMA d = −0.14; and negative consequences from overuse, GMA d = −0.23. A complete case analysis suggested the robustness of these effect sizes. Moderators of the declines in all three outcome measures included spending less money on purchasing new apps and stronger beliefs about not having contracted COVID-19. As individuals turned to online platforms during the COVID-19 outbreak, high reliance on digital technologies, once perceived as overuse before the pandemic, may have become necessary preventive measures against the pandemic, resulting in diminished smartphone overuse.

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.