Do objective data support the claim that problematic smartphone use has a clinically meaningful impact upon adolescent sleep duration?

Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh, John Perry and Claire Griffin

Behaviour and Information Technology, 2023, vol. 42, issue 15, 2626-2638

Abstract: Sleep insufficiency is a risk factor for mental and physical ill-health. In recent years, research has attributed sleep insufficiency to problematic smartphone use (PSU). In addition, research has indicated a relationship between sleep and the construct of mental toughness (MT). However, previous research exploring the relationship between sleep, PSU and MT has relied on self-report measures. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the tentative links between sleep, PSU and MT by gathering objective data. 2053 participants completed measures of sleep quality, PSU and MT. Objective smartphone usage data were collected using pre-installed smartphone applications. A sub-sample of 614 participants provided sleep duration data from validated sleep tracking devices. In line with previous research, sleep quality was found to correlate weakly with both MT and PSU. While several significant correlations emerged when objective data were explored, in all cases, the effect sizes were negligible. This study does not support the claim that PSU has a clinically meaningful impact upon sleep duration. Sleep hygiene recommendations with more well-established empirical support should be prioritised during sleep promotion efforts.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2022.2136533

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