Effects of On-Campus and Off-Campus Smartphone Overdependence Prevention Programs Among University Students

The purpose of this article is to evaluate effects of self-determination theory-based on-campus and off-campus prevention programs on smartphone overdependence among university students.

This was a pre-posttest quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group (CG). Seventy-eight students were recruited as participants. They were allowed to choose either an experiment group (EG) or a CG. On-campus smartphone overdependence prevention program was provided to participants in experimental group 1 (EG1), while on-campus program combined with off-campus prevention camp was provided to those in experimental group 2 (EG2). Instruments used in this study included a smartphone overdependence self-diagnosis scale, a basic psychological needs scale, and a self-regulation ability scale. Data collection was performed at baseline, immediately after intervention, at 1 month and 3 months after intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of covariance. Focus group interview was performed for qualitative evaluation.

After the intervention, smartphone overdependence and basic psychological needs exhibited significant interactions between group and time. Smartphone overdependence scores decreased in EG1 and EG2 but increased in CG (F = 4.56, p = .001). Basic psychological needs improved in EG1 and EG2 but deteriorated in CG (F = 5.04, p = .009). Focus group interviews revealed that participants strived to control their smartphone usage through individual efforts and by interacting with new friends in college even after completing the program.

In this study, on-campus only program and combined intervention of on- and off-campus programs were both effective in maintaining and managing smartphone use. However, participants perceived that the off-campus program provided an opportunity to apply the theory learned in on-campus to the real world.