Bidirectional Associations Between Smartphone Usage and Momentary Well-Being in Young Adults: Tackling Methodological Challenges by Combining Experience Sampling Methods with Passive Smartphone Data

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/uj6df
• Publication Date: 2023-12-06T05:00:44Z
• Authors: Timon Elmer; Aurelio Fernández; Marie Stadel; Martien Kas; Anna Langener
• Keywords: Affect; Smartphone app; Smartphone application

Given the pervasive role of smartphones in modern life, research into their impact on well-being has flourished. This study addresses existing methodological shortcomings by using smartphone-log data and Experience Sampling Methods (ESM) to explore bidirectional within-person relationship between smartphone usage momentary variables (i.e., affect valence, loneliness, positive affect, negative affect). We further examine different categories usage, namely communication, social media, other apps. analyze three samples (N1 = 225, N2 17, N3 13; with T1 7,874, T2 2,566, T3 1,533 ESM reports) multilevel models test our preregistered hypotheses. Data for Sample I were collected Spain 2022 (82% female; Mage 23.1). Samples II III (80% 21.6) Netherlands 2021-2022.Our results suggest that within an hour before assessment, especially media apps, is associated reduced valence increased loneliness a level. Loneliness was more than usual, particularly use following assessments. Yet, overall, findings indicate weak associations indicators (range standardized β .00 - .08). On between-person level, those individuals generally high affected prior use, suggesting heightened sensitivity. The interplay should be studied detail, including contextual factors experimental designs.