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Problematic Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Association with Pandemic-Related and Generalized Beliefs

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  • Meng Xuan Zhang

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
    Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
    Co-first author.)

  • Juliet Honglei Chen

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
    Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
    Co-first author.)

  • Kwok Kit Tong

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China)

  • Eilo Wing-yat Yu

    (Department of Government and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China)

  • Anise M. S. Wu

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
    Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China)

Abstract

Smartphone technologies have played a crucial role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the increased use of smartphones during the pandemic period may expose the general public to a higher risk of problematic smartphone use (PSU). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PSU among Chinese community adults and adopted a social-cognitive theory and social axiom framework to evaluate the effects of beliefs on PSU. A Chinese adult sample ( N = 616) was obtained through probability sampling via a telephone survey from Macao, China and included 591 smartphone users’ data (39.4% men) for formal analysis. The prevalence of PSU was 43.3% in the overall sample, with 41.9% in women, and 45.5% in men. Two types of beliefs derived from the social-cognitive theory, pandemic-related self-efficacy and government efficacy, both showed significant and negative correlations with PSU ( r = −0.13 and −0.10, p < 0.05). As for the two beliefs from the social axiom framework, reward for application was negatively correlated with PSU ( r = −0.10, p < 0.05), whereas social cynicism was positively associated with PSU ( r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Among those four beliefs, social cynicism exerted the most substantial effect on PSU when controlling for demographics. Our findings enriched the understanding of PSU during the pandemic and provided empirical direction regarding cognition-based intervention strategies for reducing PSU.

Suggested Citation

  • Meng Xuan Zhang & Juliet Honglei Chen & Kwok Kit Tong & Eilo Wing-yat Yu & Anise M. S. Wu, 2021. "Problematic Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Association with Pandemic-Related and Generalized Beliefs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5724-:d:562849
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daria J. Kuss & Lydia Harkin & Eiman Kanjo & Joel Billieux, 2018. "Problematic Smartphone Use: Investigating Contemporary Experiences Using a Convergent Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Borja Sañudo & Curtis Fennell & Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver, 2020. "Objectively-Assessed Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Smartphone Use, and Sleep Patterns Pre- and during-COVID-19 Quarantine in Young Adults from Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Paolo Roma & Merylin Monaro & Laura Muzi & Marco Colasanti & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Christian Napoli & Stefano Ferracuti & Cristina Mazza, 2020. "How to Improve Compliance with Protective Health Measures during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model and Machine Learning Algorithms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Yuen Yu Chong & Wai Tong Chien & Ho Yu Cheng & Ka Ming Chow & Angelos P. Kassianos & Maria Karekla & Andrew Gloster, 2020. "The Role of Illness Perceptions, Coping, and Self-Efficacy on Adherence to Precautionary Measures for COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cecilia Cheng & Yan-Ching Lau, 2022. "Social Media Addiction during COVID-19-Mandated Physical Distancing: Relatedness Needs as Motives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Lili Chen & Jun Li & Jianhao Huang, 2022. "COVID-19 Victimization Experience and College Students’ Mobile Phone Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Effect of Future Anxiety and Mindfulness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.

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