Motives for digital social multitasking (DSMT) and problematic phone use among adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Phone use during face-to-face interactions (i.e., digital social multitasking [DSMT]) is a growing activity among adolescents. DSMT appears to be a risk factor for problematic phone use, but little is known about why adolescents engage in DSMT and how different motives of DSMT would be associated with problematic phone use. Drawing on the framework of DSMT and the uses and gratifications theory, this study explored (1) the motives of adolescent DSMT and (2) the direct and indirect relationships between DSMT motives and problematic phone use via the level and perception of DSMT. Method: The study involved survey data from 517 adolescents in the United States recruited through the Qualtrics panels (M age = 14.83, SD = 1.93) in the fall of 2020. The sample's gender and racial/ethnic distributions were nationally representative. Results: We developed a scale measuring adolescent DSMT motives, which showed that adolescents engaged in DSMT because of enjoyment and connection, boredom, information, and habitual use. The motive of habitual use was associated with problematic phone use both directly and indirectly via level of DSMT and perceived distraction caused by DSMT. The information motive was directly associated with problematic phone use, while the boredom motive was indirectly associated with problematic phone use via perceived distraction. Conversely, the motive of enjoyment and connection was related to lower problematic phone use both directly and indirectly via lower perceived distraction. Conclusion:The study identifies DSMT-related risk and protective factors for problematic phone use. The findings should help adults recognize adaptive versus maladaptive forms of DSMT among adolescents and develop proper guidance and intervention.

Digital social multitasking (DSMT) and digital stress among adolescents: A peer norm perspective

“…Second, at the peer norm level, it may be worthwhile to encourage adolescents to discuss digital media use with their peers, as a way to collectively reshape the distressing norm. Social motive is a main drive of DSMT [ 37 ]. Teens likely multitask to live up to friends' expectations for immediate response [ 29 ].…”

“…Level of engagement in DSMT and descriptive norms are both behavioral, whereas perceptions of DSMT and injunctive norms are both cognitive. The original DSMT framework largely focuses on the multitaskers' own behaviors and perceptions [ 37 ]. It appears to be a missed opportunity not to integrate the two frameworks and explore how perceived peer norms (peer DSMT level, positive peer perception of DSMT, and negative peer perception of DSMT) would be associated with adolescents’ own engagement in and perceptions of the behavior.…”

Psychometric validation of the internet related experiences questionnaire and mobile related experiences questionnaire among Ecuadorian teenagers

“…Therefore, it can be said that both the internet and mobile devices serve primarily as facilitators of interpersonal communication among adolescents, yet they offer a variety of leisure services, information searches, and communication via chat applications. Notably, the cellphone stands out as having the most significant influence on individuals' social relationships, particularly among adolescents (Dou et al, 2020 ; Fang et al, 2020 ; Yang et al, 2023 ). Regarding gender differences, usage patterns reveal that women tend to utilize cellphones more frequently than men do, whereas men typically engage more with the internet (Kawyannejad et al, 2019 ).…”