Mobile phone use pattern and addiction in relation to depression and anxiety.
Background
University students with heavy smartphone use are vulnerable to smartphone addiction that could be related to depression and trait anxiety.


Aims
To assess gender differences in patterns of smartphone use and addiction in relation to depression and trait anxiety among Saudi university students.


Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 1513 students of Taif University, Saudi Arabia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and data on pattern of smartphone use. The Problematic Use of Mobile Phones (PUMP) scale was used to determine smartphone addiction. The Arabic validated version of the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess trait anxiety and depression, respectively.


Results
A female predominance was found for: prevalence of depression and trait anxiety, PUMP scores, duration of daily mobile use and number of daily calls. A significant positive correlation was found between PUMP score and depression and trait anxiety scores, duration of owning a smartphone, and average duration of each daily call. The PUMP scores were significantly higher in 6th year students, those from the theoretical college, single students, and students who used a smartphone for > 4 hours/day.


Conclusions
Smartphone addiction is a major problem among Saudi university students, and it is associated with depression and trait anxiety. Future studies should aim to establish the best interventions to protect university students from the negative effects of smartphones.
['El-Sayed Desouky|Dalia|D|', 'Abu-Zaid|Hany|H|']
D001007:Anxiety D000075782:Cell Phone Use D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D012529:Saudi Arabia D057566:Self Report D012720:Severity of Illness Index D013334:Students D014495:Universities D055815:Young Adult
addiction depression anxiety smartphone university students.