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Examining the Link Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Substance Use Disorders Among College Students: Association Patterns Using Network Analysis

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Listed:
  • Amanda Severo Lins Vitta

    (Graduate Program in Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop Avenue, Ipaussurama Garden, Campinas 13060-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira

    (Graduate Program in Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop Avenue, Ipaussurama Garden, Campinas 13060-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Lucio Garcia de Oliveira

    (Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, ABC Fundation, 200 Lauro Gomes Avenue, Santo André 09060-870, SP, Brazil)

  • Laura Soares da Silva

    (Graduate Program in Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop Avenue, Ipaussurama Garden, Campinas 13060-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Évelin Moreira Freires

    (Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, ABC Fundation, 200 Lauro Gomes Avenue, Santo André 09060-870, SP, Brazil)

  • Fernando Ferreira Semolini

    (Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Makilim Nunes Baptista

    (Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 1038 Napoleao de Barros Street, Sao Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil)

  • Claudio Romualdo

    (Graduate Program in Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop Avenue, Ipaussurama Garden, Campinas 13060-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Hyoun S. Kim

    (Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Denise de Micheli

    (Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 1038 Napoleao de Barros Street, Sao Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil)

  • Adriana Scatena

    (Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 1038 Napoleao de Barros Street, Sao Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil)

  • André Luiz Monezi Andrade

    (Graduate Program in Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop Avenue, Ipaussurama Garden, Campinas 13060-904, SP, Brazil)

Abstract

This study examines the interplay between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and substance use disorders (SUDs) among Brazilian college students, also addressing associated emotional distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). A total of 3130 students (M_age = 23.6; SD_age = 5.34) participated in an online survey featuring validated measures for assessing PSU, alcohol and drug consumption, and emotional distress. Participants were categorized into problematic smartphone use (PSU) and non-problematic use (nPSU) groups. The prevalence of PSU was 46.9%, notably higher among female students, those lacking a religious affiliation, individuals living alone, and the unemployed. PSU individuals showed significantly elevated rates of alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit substance use, along with greater emotional distress. Network analysis revealed that weekly alcohol consumption and stress symptoms exhibited the highest centrality indices (e.g., stress with high betweenness; alcohol with strong expected influence), underscoring their key roles in connecting PSU and SUDs. These findings suggest that PSU and SUDs may share underlying emotional vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for integrated intervention strategies targeting both conditions concurrently.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda Severo Lins Vitta & Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira & Lucio Garcia de Oliveira & Laura Soares da Silva & Évelin Moreira Freires & Fernando Ferreira Semolini & Makilim Nunes Baptista & Claudio Romu, 2025. "Examining the Link Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Substance Use Disorders Among College Students: Association Patterns Using Network Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(7), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:7:p:973-:d:1683623
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