Problematic Smartphone Use and Aggressive Behavior Among University Students: The Mediating Role of Sleep Disturbance

Abstract

Background: Despite several benefits, research has found that problematic smartphone use is positively associated with behavioral problems. However, the internal mechanisms underlying this relationship need further investigation. So, the current study aimed to investigate the mediating role of sleep disturbance in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and aggression. Methods: The research design was descriptive-correlational. Also, the study population included the male university students of the Islamic Azad University of South Tehran Branch in the academic year of 2019-2020. Using the convenience sampling method, a total number of 213 participants from two faculties (Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Law and Political Sciences) were selected and tested by Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Then, the Pearson correlation and path analysis were conducted to analyze the data. Results: The results revealed the significant and direct effects of problematic smartphone use on aggression (β=0.12, P<0.05), sleep quality on aggression (β=0.37, P<0.001), and problematic smartphone use on sleep disturbance (β=0.42, P<0.001). Also, sleep quality significantly mediated in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and aggression (β=0.15, P<0.01). Conclusion: According to the present findings, problematic smartphone use and sleep disturbance are two important factors affecting aggressive behavior among university students. These findings highlight the critical role of early intervention for aggression with a focus on those with problematic smartphone use and more specifically those with sleep disturbance.

Smartphone Addiction and Checking Behaviors Predict Aggression: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

“…In a separate vein, excessive smartphone use has been shown to be associated with poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration [ 11 , 12 ], which implicate a loss of control over emotions and aggressive impulses [ 13 ]. In line with this notion, studies have found that problematic smartphone users experience sleep disturbance and display greater aggressive behaviors [ 2 ]. Therefore, maladaptive smartphone use would likely implicate heightened aggression.…”

“…However, relatively little research has focused on the relation between smartphone use and sociobehavioral outcomes. Excessive smartphone use adversely influences daily activities such as sleep quality [ 2 ], which in turn induces stress, frustration, and negative affect. Given that these negative emotions heighten one’s aggressive tendencies [ 3 , 4 ], it is plausible that excessive or addictive smartphone use may be related to aggression, which consists of instrumental (i.e., physical and verbal aggression), affective (i.e., anger) and cognitive (i.e., hostility) components [ 5 ].…”

“…Consistent with this notion, severe addictive smartphone use was found to be associated with greater worry and anger, which could culminate in aggression [ 16 ]. Other studies have found that smartphone addiction causes sleep disturbance [ 12 ], which affects emotional functioning and results in heightened aggression [ 2 ]. Given this, it is conceivable that addictive smartphone users may be easily provoked to become aggressive when their smartphone use is interfered with or when they encounter frustration.…”

The role of loneliness and aggression on smartphone addiction among university students

“…Moreover, it can lead to poor academic performance. According to Zarei ( 2021 ), one of the important factors impacting the aggressive behavior of university students is problematic smartphone use. According to researchers, focusing on students with smartphone addiction and early intervention for aggression is critical.…”

Anger control is the most influential risk factor of mobile phone addiction among nursing and midwifery students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

“…(15) Studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between problematic use of mobile phones and aggression. (16) Studies show that people with aggressive characteristics are addicted to smartphones. (17) Trust in technology to increase social communication may have psychological consequences, such as creating technological dependencies, extroverted personality traits (deepening interpersonal interactions), and anger.…”