Mobile dependency: Factors influencing it and its association with depression among adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: In the present era due to the usefulness and availability of apps, games, information, and entertainment, mobile usage has become habitual. Studies have found that mobile phone dependency is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, extrovert or neurotic personality traits, and maternal affectionate constraints in childhood. Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of mobile phone dependence among adolescents and assess the relationship between mobile phone dependence and depression among them. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted among late adolescents and early adults. Data regarding the sociodemographic details, mobile phone dependence, and the factors influencing it were collected using the standardized pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Among 701, majority of the participants (99.7%) were using mobile phones, and among them, about 43.4% of the study participants had mild, 29.1% had moderate, and 4.4% had severe mobile dependence. It was observed that 56% of them had normal, whereas 4% of them had extreme and 2% had severe depression, but no significant association was found between mobile dependency and depression. Conclusion: Three-fourth of the adolescents and young adults had mobile dependency, but there was no significant statistical association seen between mobile dependency and depression.