Technology Addiction and Social Connectedness in Psychiatric Illness: A Multicenter Study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Technology addiction is a growing global public health concern impacting mental and physical well-being.
• Understanding technology addiction and social connectedness in psychiatric populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate technology addiction and social connectedness levels among psychiatric patients across diverse Turkish regions.
• To explore the relationship between technology addiction, social connectedness, and specific psychiatric diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 642 psychiatric patients from six Turkish provinces using the Technology Addiction Scale (TAS) and Social Connectedness Scale (SCS).
• Collected sociodemographic data and clinical diagnoses for all participants.

Main Results:

• Patients with anxiety and somatoform disorders exhibited higher TAS scores (p<0.001).
• Anxiety disorder patients also showed significant differences in SCS scores (p<0.001).
• Anxiety disorder correlated with high technology addiction and low social connectedness, while major depressive disorder showed the opposite.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatric patients generally present with moderate technology addiction and high social connectedness.
• Individuals with technology addiction among psychiatric patients report a strong sense of social belonging.