Problematic smartphone use and its relation with anxiety and depression: a survey in a large sample of undergraduates

Objective To investigate the differences of socio-demographics and smartphone use features among Chinese college students between problematic smartphone user (PSU) and non-PSU, and to clarify the link between PSU and psychopathological symptoms (anxiety and depression). Methods A total of 1 205 undergraduates from 35 classes of 8 universities or colleges, stratified with different school levels, were selected using the cluster random sampling strategy. The Problematic Cellular Phone Use Questionnaire (PCPUQ) was used to identify problematic use of smartphone use, and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to measure anxiety and depression symptoms. Results The prevalence of PSU among undergraduates was estimated to be 20.6%(207/1 006). There were significant differences between PSU and non-PSU on their major of either science category or humanities category (χ2=11.424, P<0.01), grade (χ2=5.868, P<0.05), monthly living expense supported by their family (χ2=12.713, P<0.01), daily time spent on their smartphones (χ2=20.052, P<0.01),frequency of changing the mobile phones (χ2=14.511, P<0.01) and monthly smartphone bill (χ2=13.107, P<0.01). Furthermore, the self rated anxiety (34.8% (72/207) vs. 14.6% (117/799), χ2=43.704, P<0.01) and depression (36.2% (75/207) vs. 15.4% (123/799), χ2=45.159, P<0.01) were both found more elevated in PSU than non-PSU. Conclusion Some common sociodemographic variables and smartphone usage patterns were identified in undergraduates displaying PSU. Moreover, PSU is associated with more elevated anxiety and depression symptoms. Key words: Behavior, addiction; Anxiety; Depression; Problematic smartphone use