Distinct patterns of problematic smartphone use and related factors in Chinese college students

Abstract

Background This study aimed to categorize different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in Chinese college students. Differences in gender and psychosocial characteristics of the categorized groups were also examined. Methods A total of 1123 participants completed the Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Using latent profile analysis, we identified different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in college students. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented to examine the relationship between latent classes and demographic and psychosocial covariates. Results The four following latent classes were identified: a low-risk group, a moderate-risk with no evasiveness group, a moderate-risk with evasiveness group, and high-risk group that accounted for 11%, 24.1%, 35.5%, and 29.4% of the total sample, respectively. Further analysis revealed that female participants were more likely to be in the moderate-risk with evasiveness and high-risk groups, and individuals with depressed mood were more likely to be in the moderate-risk and high-risk groups. Conclusions Classifying college students according to the features of problematic smartphone use is potentially useful for understanding risk factors and developing targeted prevention and intervention programs.

Determination of the cutoff point for Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale for adolescents: a latent profile analysis

“…In studies utilizing other measurements, there was no consensus on the optimal classification for smartphone users. Several studies have captured a similar three-class model [ 46 – 48 ], while other studies also proposed a four-class model [ 49 , 50 ]. The different sample characteristics and contents of the utilized tool could contribute to the differences.…”

Depression and stress are associated with latent profiles of problematic social media use among college students

“…Some studies categorized problematic social media use into a non-addictive group, a problematic use group, and an addictive group by means ( M ) ± standard deviation ( SD ) ( 18 ). However, there is heterogeneity in social media use among college students, and previous variable-oriented methods have not taken into account a wide range of individual differences ( 21 ). Therefore, comprehending the simultaneous functioning of multidimensional personal characteristics within individuals and their role in creating diverse subgroups with different levels of problematic social media use is crucial ( 23 ).…”

“…Therefore, comprehending the simultaneous functioning of multidimensional personal characteristics within individuals and their role in creating diverse subgroups with different levels of problematic social media use is crucial ( 23 ). Person-oriented methods gather data at the personal level and have the ability to identify significant patterns of traits within subgroups ( 21 ). Latent profile analysis (LPA), as a person-oriented method, explains associations between exogenous variables in terms of the number of latent profiles.…”

“…Consequently, it is deemed appropriate to investigate this phenomenon within the framework of addiction (18,19). The notion that problematic social media use may constitute a potential addictive disorder has been proposed by numerous scholars, and future versions of the DSM and ICD may be influenced by evidence-based discussions to potentially incorporate problematic social media use (20)(21)(22).…”