The Influence of Smartphone Use on Psychological Distress in University Undergraduates

• DOI: 10.34172/jech.2023.2314
• Publication Date: 2023-08-21T11:48:23Z
• Authors: James Ayodele Ogu...; Bolade Folasade D...; Adebusola Jane Og...; Oluwabunmi Idera ...; Olalekan Ayodele ...; Mathew Olumuyiwa ...; Hamza Abiodun Bello; Abdullahi Ganiyu ...; Louis Okeibunor O...
• Keywords: Psychological Distress; Depression

Background: Smartphone use has been shown to have effects on psychological health outcomes. There is evidence that the of smartphones young people are significant. It associated with anxiety, depression, and distress in various populations. The tendency spend cumulatively long durations exposed an emerging phenomenon among university undergraduates. This study aimed at determining relationship between smartphone Methods: Data for this cross-sectional were collected from 3,325 undergraduates University Ilorin, Nigeria September 2021 using a Sociodemographic proforma, Addiction Scale-Short version, was measured 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12). analyzed SPSS 23. Results: mean age respondents 21.3+2.59 years, 1835 (55.2%) them females. In addition, 3305 (99.4%) owned smartphones, 720 (21.7%) had more than one smartphone. Psychological present 1097 users (33.2%). level (P=0.002), presence problematic (PSU, P<0.001), total time spent phone per day (P=0.014), social media (P<0.001), as well leaving data all (P=0.001) engaging overnight calls or chats (P<0.026), Facebook (P=0.001), WeChat Snapchat significantly distress. Independent predictors being year 5 (OR=0.548, P=0.008), PSU (OR=1.586, switching throughout (OR=1.388, (OR=1.451, P<0.027) (OR=0.703, P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings revealed important smartphone-related indices such PSU, access day, predictive increased levels Structured counselling about productive should be administered early years