The association between smartphone use, stress, and anxiety: A meta‐analytic review

Abstract

Research investigating the various mental, physical, and social effects of smartphone use has proliferated in the previous decade. Two variables of interest in this literature are the levels of anxiety and stress associated with smartphone use. The current meta-analysis aimed to provide the first quantitative review of this literature, as well as determine potential moderators that might influence this relationship. A total of 39 independent samples (N = 21, 736) were used to compute a summary effect size of r = .22, p < .001, CI [.17-.28] indicating a small-to-medium association between smartphone use and stress and anxiety. Significant moderators included the year in which the article was published, as well as whether problematic or nonproblematic phone use was assessed. In addition, studies using validated measures of smartphone use indicated a (nonsignificantly) larger association than studies using nonvalidated measures. Strengths and limitations of the meta-analysis, as well as future directions of research are discussed.

COVID-19 anxiety symptoms associated with problematic smartphone use severity in Chinese adults

“…Correlations with a darker shade indicate stronger correlations, with blue indicating positive and red indicating negative correlations. Correlations greater than 0.10 in absolute size were significant at p < 0.001. women and younger individuals evidence greater PSU severity (Vahedi and Saiphoo, 2018). We also included COVID-19-related exposure covariates, including perceived threat of death from COVID-19 and COVID-19 news exposure.…”

Problematic smartphone use and related factors in young patients with schizophrenia

“…A regression analysis indicated that anxiety symptoms and low agreeableness were significantly associated with more severe PSU in the present study. The relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction has been examined in several studies (Vahedi & Saiphoo, ). It is common for people who experience negative emotions to self‐medicate to relieve their symptoms (Bolton, Cox, Clara, & Sareen, ).…”

“…The relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction has been examined in several studies (Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018). It is common for people who experience negative emotions to self-medicate to relieve their symptoms (Bolton, Cox, Clara, & Sareen, 2006).…”

The age of cyberpsychology: An overview.

“…Other studies have indicated a negative relationship between social media use and psychological functioning (Boers et al, 2019;Brooks, 2015;Kross et al, 2013;Lin et al, 2016;Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018). Meta-analysis of the mental, physical, and social effects of the use of social media has found a weak-to-moderate association between smartphone use and stress and anxiety (Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018).…”

“…Other studies have indicated a negative relationship between social media use and psychological functioning (Boers et al, 2019;Brooks, 2015;Kross et al, 2013;Lin et al, 2016;Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018). Meta-analysis of the mental, physical, and social effects of the use of social media has found a weak-to-moderate association between smartphone use and stress and anxiety (Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018). A significant association has also been found between social media use and increased depression with significantly increased odds of depression and lower happiness for those in the highest quartile of use relative to those in the lower quartile of use among a range of ages (Brooks, 2015;Erceg et al, 2018;Lin et al, 2016).…”