Digital Intervention for Problematic Smartphone Use

Sarah Kent, Ciara Masterson, Raian Ali, Christine E. Parsons and Bridgette M. Bewick
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Sarah Kent: School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Ciara Masterson: School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Raian Ali: College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
Christine E. Parsons: Interacting Minds Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Bridgette M. Bewick: School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Smartphones have become the primary devices for accessing the online world. The potential for smartphone use to become problematic has come into increasing focus. Students and young adults have been shown to use their smartphones at high rates and may be at risk for problematic use. There is limited research evaluating interventions for problematic smartphone use. The present research aimed to develop and evaluate a digital intervention for problematic smartphone use in a student population. A mixed-method case series design was used. The participants were 10 students with mild–moderate dependency on the online world (measured via a self-report questionnaire). An intervention comprising goal setting, personalised feedback, mindfulness, and behavioural suggestions was delivered via a smartphone application. Time spent on smartphones was measured objectively through the same application. Changes in problematic technology use, wellbeing, mindfulness, and sleep were also evaluated. The findings indicate that the intervention resulted in a reduction in self-reported problematic smartphone use, but not screen time. The findings also indicate that over the course of participation, there was a positive influence on wellbeing, online dependency, mindfulness, and sleep. However, the mechanisms of change could not be determined. The study provides preliminary evidence that a light-touch, smartphone-delivered package is an acceptable and effective intervention for students wishing to better manage their problematic smartphone use.

Keywords: students; smartphone use; e-health; digital intervention; case series; smartphone addiction; digital addiction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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