Correlation between stress and smartphone addiction in healthcare related university students

Seol-Hee Kim*   Ye-Na Choi1   

Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Medical Science, Konyang University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between stress and smartphone addiction in some university students. Methods: The subjects were 220 health major students in D area. The study was conducted for 2 weeks, in June, 2016. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, awareness toward stress, stress-coping pattern, and smartphone addiction. Data was analyzed through SPSS 18.0 program. Results: In the analysis of stress levels according to general characteristics, female group showed higher experience compared to male group (high group 46.10, subgroup 44.38) (p<0.05). Male group and higher stress group showed higher experience in problem solving, social support, and emotional stress coping (p>0.05). Stress and stress coping (r=0.322), stress and smartphone addiction (r=0.299) showed positive correlation. The significant factors of smartphone addiction were average daily using time (β=0.477, p<0.001), study stress (β=0.177, p<0.05), social stress (β=0.323, p<0.01), problem solving (β=-0.320, p<0.001), social support (β=0.064, p<0.05), and emotional stress coping (β=0.264, p<0.001). These factors explained 30.8% of the variance in smartphone addiction. Conclusions: The results from this study indicated that stress had a negative impact on smartphone addictions in subjects. It is necessary to provide smartphone addiction management for stress management.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Stress by general characteristics