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

Author

Listed:
  • Ying Zhong
  • Huan Ma
  • Yu-Fen Liang
  • Chang-Ju Liao
  • Cui-Cui Zhang
  • Wen-Jing Jiang

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Zhong & Huan Ma & Yu-Fen Liang & Chang-Ju Liao & Cui-Cui Zhang & Wen-Jing Jiang, 2022. "Prevalence of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students: A meta-analysis of multinational observational studies," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(6), pages 1171-1183, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:68:y:2022:i:6:p:1171-1183
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640221089535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guan Yang & Guang-xin Tan & Yue-xiang Li & Hai-ying Liu & Song-tao Wang, 2019. "Physical Exercise Decreases the Mobile Phone Dependence of University Students in China: The Mediating Role of Self-Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-11, October.
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    1. Zhang, Qi & Ma, Xiaofeng, 2024. "The associations between destructive parenting practice and addiction behaviors in internet and smartphone: A three-level meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).

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