ArticleSouth African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care2025
Measuring problematic smartphone use among students using the Smartphone Addiction Scale.
Article in South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Problematic Smartphone Use and Quality of Life Among Greek Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Gender differences in smartphone addiction, physical activity, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2026Article
- The Negative Mental Health Consequences of Social Media Use in South Africa: The Role of Smartphone Addiction.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Peer-Mediated Digital Awareness Among Adolescents: Insights from a CAWI-Based Assessment at the European Researchers' Night.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Association Between Smartphone Addiction and Near Binocular Vision Function Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- Mobile phone addiction in African societies.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- The relationship between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use: the serial mediation model of perceived social support and smartphone use frequency.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- The Impact of Smartphone Addiction on PTSD Symptoms Among South African University Students: Resilience as a Protective Factor.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
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Abstract
backgroundProblematic Smartphone Use (PSU) is a growing concern, particularly among university students, due to its potential negative impacts on mental health, academic performance, and daily functioning. Characterized by compulsive smartphone use, PSU is linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Understanding PSU in university settings is essential for creating effective interventions. Additionally, primary care settings can play a key role in identifying and managing PSU to support overall well-being.
methodsThis cross-sectional study involved 867 students from Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) to assess PSU levels. The study explored associations between PSU, daily smartphone usage time, and gender using descriptive statistics and correlation analyses.
resultsThe findings revealed that 55% of the students exhibited PSU. A significant correlation was observed between increased daily smartphone usage and higher PSU levels. However, no significant gender differences were found. These results highlight the widespread nature of PSU among university students and its strong association with smartphone usage patterns.
conclusionThe study underscores the importance of addressing PSU in primary healthcare settings, where early detection and intervention can prevent further psychological and social consequences. Primary care providers can offer counselling, screen for PSU, and guide students towards healthier smartphone habits.Contribution: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of PSU among university students. It emphasizes the vital role of primary care in addressing this emerging health issue to improve students' mental health and overall quality of life.
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