Assessment of smartphone dependence, emotional responses, and the impact of smartphone use on students’ mental health and academic performance

Aims: Smartphone use is increasingly common among students and may affect their mental health and academic performance. Objectives:To assess smartphone use characteristics, levels of psychological symptoms, and related factors among students. Methods:A crosssectional study was conducted among 279 students. Demographic characteristics, smartphone use behaviors, and psychological symptoms were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with psychological symptoms. Results:Among the participants, females accounted for 68.8% and firstyear students accounted for 74.6%. Most students showed different levels of smartphone dependence: 80.9% felt restless when they did not have their phone; 94.6% reported that smartphone use reduced their concentration in learning; and 90.3% used smartphones while studying or doing homework. Nearly 88.2% tended to use smartphones longer than intended, and 61.0% often or almost always checked their phone immediately after waking up. The highest proportion of daily smartphone use was 4 - 6 hours per day (37.6%).Regarding mental health, students with mild psychological symptoms accounted for the highest proportion, while those with moderate symptoms accounted for a lower proportion. Logistic regression analysis showed that emotional factors, smartphone use habits, and perception of smartphone impact were significantly associated with psychological symptoms (p<0.05). Students who felt lonely when there was no interaction on social media (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.25 - 0.78) and those who perceived smartphone use as having a negative impact on mental health (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.22 - 0.54) had a lower likelihood of psychological problems. Conclusions:Smartphone use among students was high and was significantly associated with psychological symptoms. Most students showed early-stage psychological symptoms, mainly at a mild level. The findings indicate the need for educational programs on appropriate smartphone use combined with early screening and mental health interventions in university settings.