Self-reported dependence on mobile phones in young adults: a European cross-cultural empirical survey

Background and aims: Despite many positive benefits, mobile phone use can be associated with harmful and detrimental behaviors. The aim of this study was twofold: to examine (a) cross-cultural patterns of perceived dependence on mobile phones in ten European countries, first, grouped in four different regions (North: Finland and UK; South: Spain and Italy; East: Hungary and Poland; West: France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland), and second by country, and (b) how socio-demographics, geographic differences, mobile phone usage patterns, and associated activities predicted this perceived dependence. Methods: A sample of 2,775 young adults (aged 18–29 years) were recruited in different European Universities who participated in an online survey. Measures included socio-demographic variables, patterns of mobile phone use, and the dependence subscale of a short version of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ; Billieux, Van der Linden, & Rochat, 2008). Results: The young adults from the Northern and Southern regions reported the heaviest use of mobile phones, whereas perceived dependence was less prevalent in the Eastern region. However, the proportion of highly dependent mobile phone users was more elevated in Belgium, UK, and France. Regression analysis identified several risk factors for increased scores on the PMPUQ dependence subscale, namely using mobile phones daily, being female, engaging in social networking, playing video games, shopping and viewing TV shows through the Internet, chatting and messaging, and using mobile phones for downloading-related activities. Discussion and conclusions: Self-reported dependence on mobile phone use is influenced by frequency and specific application usage

An investigation into problematic smartphone use: the role of narcissism, anxiety, and personality factors

Background and aims: Over the last decade, worldwide smartphone usage has greatly increased. Alongside this growth, research on the influence of smartphones on human behavior has also increased. However, a growing number of studies have shown that excessive use of smartphones can lead to detrimental consequences in a minority of individuals. This study examines the psychological aspects of smartphone use particularly in relation to problematic use, narcissism, anxiety, and personality factors. Methods: A sample of 640 smartphone users ranging from 13 to 69 years of age (mean = 24.89 years, SD = 8.54) provided complete responses to an online survey including modified DSM-5 criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder to assess problematic smartphone use, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Results: The results demonstrated significant relationships between problematic smartphone use and anxiety, conscientiousness, openness, emotional stability, the amount of time spent on smartphones, and age. The results also demonstrated that conscientiousness, emotional stability, and age were independent predictors of problematic smartphone use. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that problematic smartphone use is associated with various personality factors and contributes to further understanding the psychology of smartphone behavior and associations with excessive use of smartphones

“Mostly symbiotic but partly parasitic”: Constructions of cell phone use

Cell phones are complex tools that offer many functions and are represented in a multitude of ways in the literature, from addiction concerns to providing mobile therapy. In this research, I explored how cell phone users construct their relationship with their cell phone. Ten participants were interviewed about their experiences within three types of cell phone use: non-problematic cell phone use, problematic cell phone use, and the transition between non-problematic and problematic cell phone use. I approached this research from a social constructionism perspective and analyzed data using interpretative repertoires discourse analysis. Interpretative repertoires were identified within each of the three types of cell phone use. Results demonstrated when users make sense of their relationship with their cell phone, they pay attention to intentionality, mindful presence, the amount of time spent on their cell phone, distracting and addictive qualities of their cell phone, the utility of the cell phone, and the process by which they make active choices regarding how to engage with their device. Findings are discussed with respect to the relationship to the current literature on cell phone use, and implications for counsellors and future research

Travailler ensemble à la récupération : pratiques sociales, discursives, et institutionnelles des clients et des conseillers

In this conceptual paper, we offer an alternative to traditional approaches to addictive behaviours and addictions counselling. We outline practice theory and tenets of an institutional ethnographic approach used to inquire into tacit or invisible practices of addictive behaviours, the work of recovery from them, and how counselling may (or may not) be helpful. We provide a conceptual alternative to working with clients who present for counselling with addiction concerns, using case examples as in invitation to practitioners to extend their work in new ways.Dans cet article conceptuel, nous offrons une solution de rechange aux approches traditionnelles de traitement des comportements de dépendance et du counseling des dépendances. Nous soulignons la pratique, la théorie et les principes associés à une approche ethnographique institutionnelle utilisée pour fouiller les pratiques implicites et invisibles des comportements de dépendance, le travail de récupération qui en découle et la façon dont le counseling peut (ou ne peut pas) s’avérer utile. Nous proposons une approche conceptuelle différente lorsqu’il s’agit de travailler avec des clients qui ont recours au counseling pour des problèmes de dépendance, en utilisant des exemples de cas qui invitent les praticiennes et les praticiens à accomplir leur travail de nouvelles façons

Recognizing and mitigating the negative effects of information technology use:a systematic review of persuasive characteristics in information systems

Abstract Although information systems and technology have brought many benefits into people’s everyday lives, not to mention society as a whole, they are also accompanied by negative consequences. For example, technostress, anxiety, and even different kinds of addictions are among the side effects of information technology use. Clearly, such negative consequences cannot be fully avoided, but at least some of them may be mitigated via good system design. In this study, we addressed the dark side of information technology use in everyday life and in a leisure context, reviewing contributions from the basket of eight information systems journals published between 2004 and early 2018. In our analysis, we utilized the Persuasive Systems Design model in order to recognize and analyze information system characteristics that may mitigate the negative consequences of information technology use