Mobile phone use pattern and addiction in relation to depression and anxiety

University students with heavy smartphone use are vulnerable to smartphone addiction that could be related to depression and trait anxiety.

To assess gender differences in patterns of smartphone use and addiction in relation to depression and trait anxiety among Saudi university students.

This was a cross-sectional study of 1513 students of Taif University, Saudi Arabia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and data on pattern of smartphone use. The Problematic Use of Mobile Phones (PUMP) scale was used to determine smartphone addiction. The Arabic validated version of the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess trait anxiety and depression, respectively.

A female predominance was found for: prevalence of depression and trait anxiety, PUMP scores, duration of daily mobile use and number of daily calls. A significant positive correlation was found between PUMP score and depression and trait anxiety scores, duration of owning a smartphone, and average duration of each daily call. The PUMP scores were significantly higher in 6th year students, those from the theoretical college, single students, and students who used a smartphone for > 4 hours/day.

Smartphone addiction is a major problem among Saudi university students, and it is associated with depression and trait anxiety. Future studies should aim to establish the best interventions to protect university students from the negative effects of smartphones.