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Published on: April 30, 2020
Problematic Smartphone Use Among Working Adults in Singapore: A Cross-Sectional Study
Yin Zhien Tan1, Rebecca Hui Shan Ong, Hui Shan Sim
1From the Health Services Research, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore (Y.Z.T., R.H.S.O., H.C.O.); Care and Health Integration Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore (H.S.S.); Family Medicine, Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS, Singapore, Singapore (C.H.H.); Clinical Psychology Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore (C.A.L.P.); Psychological Medicine Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore (C.S.L., L.H.P.); and Centre for Population Health Research and Implementation, Singapore Health Services, Singapore, Singapore (H.C.O.).
Objective:
While smartphones benefit the working population, concerns over problematic smartphone use (PSU) have grown. This study investigated the relationship between PSU and perceived work productivity, sleep, and well-being.
Methods:
Working adults (n = 303) were drawn from a survey for secondary analysis. Measures included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. Descriptive and covariate-adjusted analyses, including analysis of indirect associations were conducted.
Results:
PSU prevalence was 33.0%. Individuals with PSU were younger and reported poorer sleep and more depressive and anxiety symptoms ( P < 0.05). PSU was associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and activity impairment ( P < 0.001). Depressive and anxiety symptoms showed small indirect association effects.
Conclusions:
PSU affects many working adults and is linked to poorer well-being and perceived productivity loss, highlighting the need for workplace digital well-being initiatives.
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