The Smartphone Addiction Levels and the Association With Communication Skills in Nursing and Medical School Students

Threats of nursing productivity in the digital era: investigating the interplay between smartphones addiction and procrastination behavior among nurses

BACKGROUND

Controlling smartphone addiction and procrastination among nurses is crucial for enhancing the productivity of both nursing and the healthcare system. Critical care nurses are highly vulnerable to smartphone addiction and procrastination behaviors than other groups. They may purposefully delay their tasks, a practice known as active procrastination, or inadvertently delay them, a practice known as passive procrastination.

AIM

This study was designed to assess the prevalence of smartphone addiction and procrastination behavior among nurses, examine the effect of smartphone addiction on the active and passive procrastination behaviors, and explore the correlation between active and passive procrastination behaviors among nurses.

METHOD

This is a descriptive correlational exploratory study that was conducted at 23 critical care units of one large educational hospital in Egypt. Data were collected from 360 nurses who were conveniently selected using three tools: the Smartphone Addiction Inventory, the New Active Procrastination Scale, and the Unintentional Procrastination Scale. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to test the hypothetical relationship among the study variables.

RESULTS

This study revealed that 55.0%, 80.0%, and 45.3% of nurses had a moderate perceived level of smartphone addiction, active procrastination behavior, and passive procrastination behavior, respectively. There is a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and both nurses' active and passive procrastination behaviors. Smartphone addiction accounts for 25% of the variance in nurses' active procrastination behavior and 18% of the variance in their passive procrastination. Furthermore, there is a moderately significant negative correlation between nurses' active procrastination behavior and their passive procrastination behavior.

CONCLUSION

Nurses are exhibiting moderate levels of smartphone addiction and procrastination, which is a significant threat to the healthcare industry and nursing productivity. This requires technological, educational, and organizational interventions that foster active procrastination and combat passive procrastination behaviors among nurses.

IMPLICATIONS

Continuous training programs are required to enhance time management skills among nurses and increase the awareness of nurse managers with the symptoms of smartphone addiction among nurses. Nurse leaders should early detect and address the addictive use of smartphones among nurses, identify potential procrastinators, and provide counseling to eradicate these behaviors in the workplace.

Nomophobia and Phubbing Levels of Nursing Students: A Multicenter Study

Today, with the enhancement in the usage of smartphones, the concepts of nomophobia and phubbing have emerged. Nomophobia refers to the fear of being deprived of smartphones/smart devices. Phubbing is the use of a person's smartphone in situations that are not appropriate for the situation, time, and place. Therefore, the study purposed to evaluate nursing students' nomophobia and phubbing scores in Turkey, Portugal, and the United States. The data were collected with the Personal Information Questionnaire, Nomophobia Scale, and Phubbing Scale from N = 446 nursing students. The mean age of the students was 22.04 ± 4.08 years, and 86.5% were women. It was found that the total nomophobia scores of the nursing students were 80.15 ± 21.96, 72.29 ± 28.09, and 99.65 ± 6.11, respectively in Turkey, Portugal, and the United States. When the countries' Nomophobia Scale total scores, "giving up convenience," "not being able to communicate," and "losing connectedness" scores were compared with each other, they were found to be statistically significant ( P < .05). When the countries' Phubbing Scale total scores and all subscale scores were compared with each other were found to be statistically significant ( P < .05). It is seen that nomophobia scores were moderate (60 ≤ NMP-Q nomophobia ≤ 99) and phubbing scores (<40) were below the level indicating addiction in all countries.

The effect of nomophobia levels on nursing students' depression, anxiety and stress levels

RATIONALE

Nomophobia becoming widespread can have negative effects on the psychology of nursing students, who are the nurses of the future. Yet, the psychological well-being of the nursing group dealing with human health is essential for psychologically supporting the individuals they care for and reducing the potential for errors in nursing care. Therefore, it is necessary to determine nomophobia in nursing students and examine its relationship with psychological states.

AIMS

This research was conducted to determine the effect of nomophobia levels on depression, anxiety and stress levels of nursing students.

METHOD

The descriptive and correlational research was completed with 544 nursing students. Data were collected using the Data Collection Form, Nomophobia Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and analysed using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, Spearman, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The students' mean age was 21.10 ± 1.32. Their mean nomophobia score was 102.51 ± 27.06. 65.6% had depression, 66.2% had anxiety, and 35.8% had stress at different levels. A relationship was found between the students' nomophobia mean scores and their depression, anxiety and stress subscale scores (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The students' nomophobia levels were high. As students' nomophobia levels increased, their depression, anxiety and stress levels increased. Our recommendation is to inform nurses about nomophobia, support conscious phone use, and direct students affected by nomophobia to relevant units. Our recommendation is to inform nursing students about nomophobia, direct students affected by nomophobia to relevant units, and support their participation in activities that will raise awareness among students.

Clinical Manifestations' Spectrum of Smartphone Addiction: Moving from an Addiction toward a Clinical Syndrome

Background

Smartphone addiction is an emerging type of addiction in the digital era, characterized by smartphone dependence that negatively affects human health with a wide range of psychological and physical manifestations.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the detailed clinical manifestations of smartphone addiction as a delineated clinical syndrome.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess smartphone addiction prevalence and its health impacts among Syrian undergraduates using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV 2013), the Kessler psychological distress scale (K-6), and a comprehensive assessment of the clinical manifestations frequently linked to smartphone addiction in the literature. Different statistical modeling techniques were applied; a P value of < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of 1532 invited undergraduates, 1401 (91.45%) completed the assessment adequately. Most participants were females (59.7%) and below 23 years of age (73.2%). The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 67.80%; statistically significant smartphone addiction associations were revealed with psychological distress (P < .0001) with odds ratios of 3.308. Most screened physical manifestations also showed a significant association with smartphone addiction.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of smartphone addiction was observed with a broad spectrum of associated mental and physical manifestations. As smart device addiction becomes a global health concern, combining the clinical findings reported in the related literature into one clinical identity is necessary to develop a holistic management approach for the delineated clinical syndrome.

Digital proficiency: assessing knowledge, attitudes, and skills in digital transformation, health literacy, and artificial intelligence among university nursing students

BACKGROUND

Implementing digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in education and practice necessitates understanding nursing students' attitudes and behaviors as end-users toward current and future digital and AI applications.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nursing students regarding digital transformation, as well as their digital health literacy (DHL) and attitudes toward AI. Furthermore, we investigated the potential correlations among these variables.

METHODS

A descriptive correlational design was employed in a Saudi nursing college utilizing a convenience sample of 266 nursing students. A structured questionnaire consisting of six sections was used, covering personal information, knowledge, skills and attitudes toward digital transformation, digital skills, DHL, and attitudes toward AI. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS

Nursing students exhibited good knowledge of and positive attitudes toward digital transformation services. They possessed strong digital skills, and their DHL and positive attitude toward AI were commendable. Overall, the findings indicated significant positive correlations between knowledge of digital transformation services and all the digital variables measured (p = < 0.05). Senior students reported greater digital knowledge and a positive attitude toward AI.

CONCLUSION

The study recommends an innovative undergraduate curriculum that integrates opportunities for hands-on experience with digital healthcare technologies to enhance their digital literacy and skills.

The longitudinal mediating effect of rumination on the relationship between depressive symptoms and problematic smartphone use in Chinese university students: A three-wave cross-lagged panel analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although previous studies have considered rumination a possible mediator of the relationship between mental health and problematic smartphone use (PSU), few prospective studies have been conducted, limiting the ability to draw causal inferences. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the mediating role of rumination on the depression-PSU relationship using three-wave cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) with longitudinal data.

METHODS

A sample of 321 medical students from China Medical University completed three waves of online measures of depressive symptoms, rumination, and PSU. The three-wave CLPMs were constructed to examine the mediating role of rumination.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that depressive symptoms were bidirectionally related to rumination, and that rumination was bidirectionally related to PSU. The reciprocal CLPM suggested that depressive symptoms at Time 1 positively affected PSU at Time 3 via rumination at Time 2. The indirect effect was significant, with a path coefficient of 0.023 (95% CI: 0.004 to 0.042). Conversely, PSU at Time 1 positively affected depressive symptoms at Time 3 via rumination at Time 2, with a path coefficient of 0.015 (95% CI: 0.001 to 0.029).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This prospective study provided empirical evidence of the influence of depression on PSU and vice versa among Chinese university students. It also highlighted the importance of rumination in the depression-PSU relationship, revealing a bidirectional mediating role of rumination. Additional large-scale multi-wave longitudinal studies are needed to verify our results.

A model for risk factors harms and of smartphone addiction among nursing students: A scoping review

AIM

To delineate the prevalence of smartphone addiction among nursing students. Further, to identify associated harms and underlying risk factors based on established theoretical models.

BACKGROUND

Smartphones have become indispensable tools for students. However, excessive use can lead to smartphone addiction, causing physiological, psychological and social harm. Nursing students represent a unique population whose smartphone use may differ from other disciplines due to clinical training demands.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Seven databases were systematically searched from inception to August 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed original research on smartphone addiction, harms and risks among nursing students. Data were extracted and thematically synthesized.

RESULTS

Studies (n=39) met inclusion criteria, representing 15 countries. Rates of smartphone addiction among nursing students ranged from 19% to 72%, averaging 40-50%. Incorporated into Engel's biopsychosocial models, the harm is emphasized across individual inclinations, emotional aspects, cognitive processes and executive functions. Physiological harms include sleep disruption, vision concerns,other physiological concerns. psychologically, addiction correlated with increased anxiety and depression,decline in self-esteem, learning and attention and other psychological concerns. socially, it encompasses harms such as interpersonal relationships challenges, career development and decline in social abilities. The I-PACE model identifies various risk factors for smartphone addiction among nursing students, including personal factors such as interpersonal relationship anxiety and perceived academic pressure, affective factors like high stress and learning burnout, cognitive factors such as the need for online social interaction and low perception of social support, as well as executive factors like extended usage duration, poor self-control and usage before sleep.

CONCLUSION

Smartphone addiction among nursing students presents tangible harms. A proposed theoretical model integrating established frameworks provides avenues to better comprehend addiction genesis and potential intervention strategies. Given addiction's multi-factorial nature, future research investigating harm mitigation through optimizing predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors is warranted.

Do young people perceive their smartphone addiction as problematic? A study in Danish university college students

As smartphone addiction has been linked to poor mental health and lower levels of physical activity, it is of public health interest to explore the behavior behind problematic smartphone use and develop interventions to reduce smartphone use. This study aimed to investigate the risk of smartphone addiction and examine perceived problematic smartphone behavior among university college students. This online survey conducted amongst 1251 Danish University College students studied smartphone addiction in conjunction with physical- and mental health dimensions. The risk of smartphone addiction was estimated using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). The main results are presented as odds ratios from multivariate logistic regressions. One in four (23%) were at high risk of smartphone addiction. Of this high-risk group, 74% identified their smartphone behavior as problematic, with 91% having considered reducing their smartphone use. Students with a high risk of smartphone addiction perceiving their behavior as problematic were more likely to report low mental health and well-being. In conclusion, students at high risk of smartphone addiction acknowledge their problematic behavior and have actively considered behavior modifications. This knowledge can enable teachers, parents, and social and health workers to understand that a majority of heavy smartphone users are open to reducing their smartphone usage, albeit with the appropriate support.

Investigation of the relationship between internet addiction, communication skills and difficulties in emotion regulation in nursing students

This study investigates the relationships between nursing students' internet addiction levels, communication skills and difficulties in emotion regulation. This cross-sectional study included 463 nursing students who completed the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Communication Skills Scale (CSS) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16). Approximately half of the nursing students were risky internet users. A negative statistically significant was determined between from IAS and CSS; a positive statistically significant was determined between from IAS and DERS-16. It was found that internet addiction had an effect of 18.6 % (R² = 0.186) on difficulty in emotion regulation and 0.27 % on communication skills (R² = 0.027). The students who were in risky group in internet addiction had worse communication skills and higher levels of difficulties in emotion regulation.

Association of Smartphone Use and Digital Addiction with Mental Health, Quality of Life, Motivation and Learning of Medical Students: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: Despite studies evaluating the insertion of technology and the use of smartphones in the mental health and learning of medical students, few have investigated these outcomes longitudinally. This study aims to investigate the association between smartphone use and digital addiction with mental health, quality of life, learning, and academic motivation of medical students. Methods: This is a longitudinal study conducted between 2016 and 2018. Socio-demographics, smartphone use, digital dependence (Internet Addiction Test), surface and deep learning approach (Biggs), motivation (Academic Motivation Scale), evaluation of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS- 21) and Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed. Adjusted regression models were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 269 students were included(51.4% of the total). In the two-year follow-up, despite an increase in the frequency of smartphone use in general and also in the classroom for non-educational activities, no increase in digital dependence was found. In the adjusted models, the frequency of smartphone use and digital dependence were predictors of lower academic motivation and greater surface learning after two years of follow up. However, only digital dependence was a predictor of worse mental health (anxiety, depression, and stress) and worse quality of life. Conclusion: Greater use of smartphones and high addiction scores were associated with worse educational outcomes. Digital dependence was another marker of outcomes in mental health and quality of life. It is important that educators are aware of these negative effects and can guide students on the proper and safe use of these devices.

Prevalence of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students: A meta-analysis of multinational observational studies

BACKGROUND

High prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students may contribute to adverse physical and mental health outcomes.

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of smartphone addiction, and explore the influencing factors and related mental health symptoms of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE were searched for relevant literature from the inception to September 10, 2021. Using Stata software 11.0, the meta-analysis of prevalence and the influencing factors of smartphone addiction were determined with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles, published between 2014 and 2019, were included, producing medical student studies from seven different Asian countries. The included studies were conducted in India (n = 11) and Malaysia (n = 3), with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nepal, and Iran each contributing one study. Among a total of 5,497 medical students, the participants included 3,214 females, of whom 2,181 were medical students with smartphone addiction. The prevalence of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students was 41.93% (95% CI [36.24%, 47.72%]). The influencing factors of smartphone addiction among medical students included gender, duration of smartphone use, smartphone function, and marital status. Ten studies (52.63%) explored related mental health symptoms of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students. Smartphone addiction was positively correlated with poor sleep quality (r = .17-.31), stress (r = .30-.40), anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and general health among Asian medical students.

CONCLUSION

Smartphone addiction is highly prevalent among Asian medical students. Smartphone addiction may adversely affect mental health, resulting in sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism. It is necessary to take appropriate precautionary actions and interventions to prevent smartphone overuse among medical students.

Mediating effects of academic self-efficacy and smartphone addiction on the relationship between professional attitude and academic burnout in nursing students: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Academic burnout is a common issue that interferes with the role shift from nursing students to qualified nurses and aggravates a shortage of workforce in global healthcare system. According to the Areas of Worklife Scale, developed by Maslach and Leiter, there are six dimensions that encompass the major antecedents of burnout. Therefore, it's well worth an exploration to understand academic burnout and its' underlying mechanism based on the theoretical instrument. Specifically, academic burnout, professional attitude, academic self-efficacy and smartphone addiction were selected as observation variables after widely literature review.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine academic burnout and figure out the relationships between academic burnout, professional attitude, academic self-efficacy and smartphone addiction among nursing students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in a nursing department in Anhui province in eastern China.

PARTICIPANTS

1445 nursing students.

METHODS

Academic burnout, professional attitude, academic self-efficacy and smartphone addiction of participants were measured using online questionnaires with a supportive platform called "wenjuanxing". Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and path analysis.

RESULTS

Of all the participants, 44.26 % had a certain degree of academic burnout. Professional attitude and academic self-efficacy were negatively related to academic burnout. Smartphone addiction was positively associated with academic burnout. Meanwhile, academic self-efficacy and smartphone addiction partly mediated the effect of professional attitude on academic burnout.

CONCLUSION

The compound strategies targeted at boosting positive professional attitude, fostering academic self-efficacy, and controlling the smartphone addiction are warranted for decreasing academic burnout.

Age, gender, peers, life skills and quality of life influence risk of cell phone addiction among college teachers in Karnataka, India : a state level epidemiological analysis

BACKGROUND

Cell phones are an integral part of modern day life and have become companions for individuals irrespective of age, gender and socio-economic status. In this study, we assessed the factors affecting risk of cell phone addiction among teachers attending Life Skills Training and Counselling Services (LSTCS) program in Karnataka.

METHODS

This cross sectional secondary data analysis utilised data from baseline assessment of trainees attending a Life Skills Training and Counselling Services program (LSTCP). Various factors hypothesised to be affecting risk of cell phone addiction (outcome) was analysed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. All the analysis was done using STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted with risk of cell phone addiction as outcome. A conceptual framework of hypothesized exposure variables was developed based on expert consultation and literature review. Overall, data of 1981 participants was utilized. Gender (AOR=1.91; 95% CI=1.27-2.77), number of peers (AOR=1.01; 95 CI=1-1.008) and social quality of life (AOR=1.01; 95% CI=1.00-1.03) were associated with increased risk of cell phone addiction. Age (AOR=0.98; 95%CI=0.96-1.00), empathy (AOR=0.96;95%;CI=0.93-0.99), communication skills(AOR=0.92, 95%;CI=0.88-0.96) and physical quality of life (AOR=0.96; 95% CI=0.95-0.98) were associated with reduced risk of cell phone addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study on precursors of risk of cell phone addiction, conducted mostly among apparently healthy individuals, provide important insights into interventions to reduce risk of cell phone addiction. The complexity of associations between peers, gender, quality of life and risk of cell phone addiction needs further exploration.

The Effect of Nursing Students' Smartphone Addiction and Phubbing Behaviors on Communication Skill

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of nursing students' smartphone addiction and phubbing behaviors on their communication skills. This study was conducted with 587 undergraduate nursing students. Sociodemographic data were evaluated using percentages and means. The relationship between smartphone addiction and communication skills and the relationship between phubbing behaviors and communication skills were evaluated with Pearson's correlation analysis. The effect of nursing students' smartphone addiction and phubbing behaviors on their communication skills was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. The mean age of the nursing students in the study was 20.47 ± 1.91 years, and 69.3% (n = 407) of the students were female. When the relationship between the communication skills of undergraduate nursing students and other variables was analyzed, it was found that there was a moderate, significant, and negative correlation with smartphone addiction (β = -0.314, P < .001) as well as with the status of phubbing behaviors (β = -0.503, P < .001). It was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between the communication skills of undergraduate nursing students and their smartphone addiction and the status of phubbing behaviors.

The relationship between nursing students' digital and smartphone addiction levels and nomophobia: A descriptive, correlational study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nursing students' digital addiction and smartphone addiction levels and nomophobia.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, correlational study. It was conducted with 215 nursing students in a university located in northeastern Turkey.

RESULTS

A positive and moderate correlation was found between students' nomophobia levels with smartphone addiction and digital addiction levels (p < 0.05). Analysis of the regression coefficients determined that smartphone addiction (β = 0.765; p < 0.01) had a significant positive effect on nomophobia.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In conclusion, nursing students should seek professional psychological help in developing health and life behaviors, such as sports, healthy eating, and sleep, to reduce nomophobia.

Excessive Smartphone Use Is Associated With Health Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults

Background and Aims: This present paper will review the existing evidence on the effects of excessive smartphone use on physical and mental health. Results: Comorbidity with depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD and alcohol use disorder. Excessive smartphone use is associated with difficulties in cognitive-emotion regulation, impulsivity, impaired cognitive function, addiction to social networking, shyness and low self-esteem. Medical problems include sleep problems, reduced physical fitness, unhealthy eating habits, pain and migraines, reduced cognitive control and changes in the brain's gray matter volume. In Conclusion: Excessive smartphone use is associated with psychiatric, cognitive, emotional, medical and brain changes that should be considered by health and education professionals.

Does the smartphone use affect the determination of daily goals: A nursing students' example?

PURPOSE

To examine how the risky use of smartphone in nursing students affects their daily goals.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 419 nursing students participated in this study. A Descriptive Data Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Daily Goals Scale were used to collect the data.

FINDINGS

According to our study results; students who are afraid of forgetting or losing their phone have a higher risk of being smartphone addiction. As the risks of students' smartphone addiction increase, their daily goal setting levels decreased.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The risky use of smartphone effects negatively daily goals setting. Education and counseling programs that will prevent the risky use of smartphones and the associated risk of addiction should be provided for nursing students.

Nomophobia and the influence of time to REST among nursing students. A descriptive, correlational and predictive research

The inclusion of the smartphone in society has brought many advantages, but also disadvantages, such as nomophobia, considered as a digital disease generated by the excessive use of the smartphone. The general objective of the research is to know and analyse the prevalence of nomophobia among nursing students and knowing the influence of time to rest. The research design is descriptive, correlational, transversal and predictive with a quantitative research methodology. The sample consist of nursing students from the University of Granada (N = 880) in Spain. A descriptive analysis has been carried out, as well as a bivariate correlation of Pearson, the student T test and a multiple linear regression. The results show an average level of nomophobia among nursing students. Although the students can recognize that the use of the smartphone can reduce their rest period, mainly focused on the hours they spend sleeping, there is no significant relationship between the two facts, confirming also that the levels of nomophobia are significantly more related in those who claim not to have problems in their rest due to the use of the mobile phone. A large percentage of them claim to rest less time due to excessive use of their smartphone.

Correlation between smartphone addiction and loneliness levels in nursing students

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the correlation between smartphone addiction and loneliness levels in nursing students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study has a descriptive and cross-sectional study design and was carried out with 682 nursing students. In the study, a "Student Information Form", the "Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form", and the "University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale" were used.

FINDINGS

The study found that nursing students had moderate scores for smartphone addiction and lonelinessand that there was a positive correlation between smartphone addiction and loneliness.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nursing students are at risk of smartphone addiction and this may lead to negative psychosocial effects. Considering these results, interventions should be planned.