Comparing generalized and specific problematic smartphone/internet use: longitudinal relationships between smartphone application-based addiction and social media addiction and psychological distress
Open accessAbstract
Background and aims: The literature has proposed two types of problematic smartphone/internet use: generalized problematic use and specific problematic use. However, longitudinal findings on the associations between the two types of problematic use and psychological distress are lacking among East-Asians. The present study examined temporal associations between both generalized and specific problematic use of the smartphone/internet, and psychological distress. Methods: Hong Kong University students ( N = 308; 100 males; mean age = 23.75 years; SD ± 5.15) were recruited with follow-ups at three, six, and nine months after baseline assessment. All participants completed the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (for generalized problematic smartphone/internet use), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (for specific problematic smartphone/internet use), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (for psychological distress) in each assessment. Latent growth modeling (LGM) was constructed to understand temporal associations between generalized/specific problematic use and psychological distress. Results: The LGM suggested that the intercept of generalized problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient [ β ] = 0.32; P < 0.01). The growth of generalized problematic use was significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress ( β = 0.51; P < 0.01). Moreover, the intercept of specific problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress ( β = 0.28; P < 0.01) and the growth of psychological distress ( β = 0.37; P < 0.01). Conclusion: The initial level of problematic use of smartphone/internet increased the psychological distress among university students. Helping young adults address problematic use of the smartphone/internet may prevent psychological distress.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
In a longitudinal sample of Hong Kong university students, both generalized and specific problematic smartphone/internet use were positively associated with psychological distress over nine months. Initial social media addiction predicted both initial and growth in distress, while growth in generalized problematic use predicted growth in distress.
Key findings
- Generalized problematic use: intercept associated with psychological distress intercept (β = 0.32, P < 0.01); growth associated with growth of psychological distress (β = 0.51, P < 0.01).
- Specific problematic use (social media): intercept associated with psychological distress intercept (β = 0.28, P < 0.01) and with growth of psychological distress (β = 0.37, P < 0.01).
- SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were significantly correlated across all four time points (r = 0.174 to 0.854; all P < 0.01).
- The LGM models supported the direction from problematic use to psychological distress more than the reverse direction; the reverse-direction models had fit concerns, including a Heywood case in the third model and an RMSEA 90% CI of 0.110 in the fourth model.
Methods
- Longitudinal online survey of Hong Kong university students: N = 308 at baseline (mean age = 23.75 years, SD = 5.15); follow-ups at three, six, and nine months; 114 completed all follow-ups, 58 completed two, and 40 completed one.
- Measures: Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) for generalized problematic smartphone/internet use, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) for specific problematic use, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for psychological distress.
- Analysis: latent growth modeling (LGM) within structural equation modeling, adjusting for age and gender; full information maximum likelihood (FIML) for missing data; four models tested problematic use → distress and distress → problematic use.
Limitations
- The paper states: no data on when participants began using social media/smartphones; mental illness was self-reported and not confirmed by psychiatric interview or records; convenience sampling of university students, mostly from one university, limits generalizability; missing data appeared not to be missing at random, with completers differing from non-completers in age and hours of smartphone/social media use; Hong Kong-specific findings may not generalize; impactful life events between assessments were not collected; all data were self-reported and subject to recall and social desirability biases; only one specific form of problematic use (social media) was assessed.
- Evident in the text: attrition was substantial (114 of 308 completed all follow-ups), and the reverse-direction LGM models had fit problems, including a Heywood case and an RMSEA confidence interval exceeding the acceptable cutoff in one model.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 34 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
The growth of generalized problematic smartphone/internet use was significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress (β = 0.51, P < 0.01).
“The growth of generalized problematic use was significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress (β = 0.51; P < 0.01).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
- Findingown data
SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were significantly correlated across all four time points (r = 0.174 to 0.854; p < 0.01).
“Table 3 demonstrates the significant correlations between the SABAS score, BSMAS score, and HADS score in the four assessed time points (r = 0.174 to 0.854; p-values < 0.01).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
- Findingown data
The intercept of specific problematic smartphone/internet use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (β = 0.28, P < 0.01).
“Moreover, the intercept of specific problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (β = 0.28; P < 0.01)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
- Findingown data
The intercept of generalized problematic smartphone/internet use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (β = 0.32, P < 0.01).
“The LGM suggested that the intercept of generalized problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.32; P < 0.01).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
- Findingown data
The intercept of specific problematic smartphone/internet use was significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress (β = 0.37, P < 0.01).
“and the growth of psychological distress (β = 0.37; P < 0.01).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
- Findingown data
In the LGM model for specific problematic smartphone/internet use (social media), the growth of problematic use was not significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress.
“This association was not shown in specific problematic use of social media.”
- Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
“the growth of the problematic use in social media did not show the same relationship”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
- Findingown data
In the LGM model for generalized problematic smartphone/internet use, the intercept of problematic use was significantly positively associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.32, p < 0.01).
“the intercept of problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.32; p < 0.01)”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
“baseline generalized problematic smartphone/internet use was positively associated with baseline psychological distress”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
- Findingown data
The growth of generalized problematic smartphone/internet use had a greater impact on psychological distress than the growth of specific problematic social media use.
“the growth of generalized problematic smartphone/internet use showed a greater impact than that of the specific problematic social media use on psychological distress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
In the LGM model for generalized problematic smartphone/internet use, the intercept of problematic use was not significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress.
“the initial level of specific problematic use in social media was associated with the growth of psychological distress, while this association was not found with generalized problematic smartphone/internet use.”
- Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
“the initial level of generalized problematic use only increased the initial level of psychological distress”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
- Findingown data
In the LGM model for specific problematic smartphone/internet use (social media), the intercept of problematic use was significantly positively associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.28, p < 0.01).
“the intercept of problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.28; p < 0.01) and the growth of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.37; p < 0.01)”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
“the initial level of the problematic use of social media was positively associated with both the initial level and the growth of psychological distress”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
- Findingown data
The present study found that problematic smartphone/internet use was positively associated with psychological distress longitudinally among university students.
“The present study found that problematic smartphone/internet use was positively associated with psychological distress longitudinally among university students.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
In the LGM model for specific problematic smartphone/internet use (social media), the intercept of problematic use was significantly positively associated with the growth of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.37, p < 0.01).
“the intercept of problematic use was significantly associated with the intercept of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.28; p < 0.01) and the growth of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.37; p < 0.01)”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
“the initial level of the problematic use of social media was positively associated with both the initial level and the growth of psychological distress”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
- Findingown data
In the LGM model for generalized problematic smartphone/internet use, the growth of problematic use was significantly positively associated with the growth of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.51, p < 0.01).
“the growth of problematic use was significantly associated with the growth of psychological distress (standardized coefficient = 0.51; p < 0.01)”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
“the growth of the generalized problematic smartphone/internet use was positively associated with the growth of psychological distress”
- Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
“growth of generalized smartphone/internet problematic use increased the growth of psychological distress”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
- Study design and conductown data
The internal consistency of the BSMAS was acceptable across all assessments in the present study (α = 0.83-0.85; ω = 0.83-0.85).
“The internal consistency of the BSMAS was acceptable across all assessments in the present study: α = 0.83 and ω = 0.83 at baseline; α = 0.85 and ω = 0.85 at first follow-up; α = 0.85 and ω = 0.85 at second follow-up; α = 0.84 and ω = 0.84 at third follow-up.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Study design and conductown data
The internal consistency of the SABAS was acceptable across all assessments in the present study (α = 0.77-0.80; ω = 0.78-0.81).
“The internal consistency of the SABAS was acceptable across all the assessments in the present study: α = 0.77 and ω = 0.78 at baseline; α = 0.80 and ω = 0.81 at first follow-up; α = 0.76 and ω = 0.77 at second follow-up; α = 0.76 and ω = 0.78 at third follow-up.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationown data
The initial level of problematic smartphone/internet use increased psychological distress among university students.
“The initial level of problematic use of smartphone/internet increased the psychological distress among university students.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The convenience sample of Hong Kong university students is representative of university students in general.
- Rests on an assumption: The association between problematic use and psychological distress is not confounded by unmeasured variables.
- Interpretationown data
The present study extends the evidence of association between problematic smartphone/internet use and mental health problems from cross-sectional to longitudinal findings.
“Therefore, the present study extends the evidence of association between problematic smartphone/internet use and mental health problems (Bányai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019) from cross-sectional to longitudinal findings.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The LGM models supported more the direction from problematic use to psychological distress rather than the opposite direction.
“the first two LGM models were supported (i.e., the LGM models supported more the direction from problematic use to psychological distress rather than the opposite direction).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The associations between the two types of problematic use in smartphone/internet and psychological distress may relate to core features of addiction.
“The associations between the two types of problematic use in smartphone/internet and psychological distress may relate to core features of addiction.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Griffiths (2000, 2005)
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationown data
Both generalized and specific problematic smartphone/internet uses are potential risk factors for increasing psychological distress among young adults.
“both generalized and specific problematic smartphone/internet uses are potential risk factors for increasing psychological distress.”
- Also stated in: § Practical and clinical implications · hedged
“results of the present study showed that both generalized and specific types of problematic smartphone/internet use appear to have significant impacts on the development of psychological distress among young adults.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Practical and clinical implications · hedged
- Interpretationown data
The initial level of problematic social media use may be particularly important given its impact on subsequent growth of psychological distress.
“Taking the present study as an example, the initial level of problematic social media use may be particularly important given its impact on subsequent growth of psychological distress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Study design and conductown data
All LGM models had satisfactory fit indices in CFI (0.970-0.980), TLI (0.950-0.960), and SRMR (0.037 and 0.042).
“All LGM models (Figs 1 and 2) had satisfactory fit indices in CFI (0.970–0.980), TLI (0.950–0.960), and SRMR (0.037 and 0.042).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Problematic smartphone/internet use can be considered as an independent disorder.
“Based on the findings of the present study, results suggest that problematic smartphone/internet use can be considered as an independent disorder.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The temporal associations found in the present study suggest that problematic smartphone/internet use may lead to psychological distress.
“the temporal associations found in the present study suggest that problematic smartphone/internet use may lead to psychological distress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Study design and conductnone given
Data on impactful life events (e.g., receiving psychological treatment, stressful life events like death of a family member) were not collected between baseline and follow-up assessments.
“data on impactful life events (e.g., receiving psychological treatment, stressful life events like death of a family member) were not collected between baseline and follow-up assessments.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 21
- May combine two claims. 12
- The quote only partly states this claim. 1
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataParticipants who completed all follow-ups comprised fewer males than those who only participated at baseline.
“The participants who completed all the follow-ups comprised fewer males (21.1%) than those who only participated at baseline (41.7%).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationGeneralized problematic smartphone/internet use has been associated with several comorbid disorders including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and substance abuse.
“Such problematic smartphone/internet use has been associated with several comorbid disorders including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Karaka, Canan, Saleh, & Potenza, 2017), depression (Sariyska, Reuter, Lachmann, & Montag, 2015) and substance abuse (Rücker, Akre, Berchtold, & Suris, 2015).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Karaka, Canan, Saleh, & Potenza, 2017
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Sariyska, Reuter, Lachmann, & Montag, 2015
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Rücker, Akre, Berchtold, & Suris, 2015
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationApplications on smartphones can be a source of problematic behavior among a minority of individuals.
“Therefore, the present study takes the similar view to Chen et al. (2020) that applications on smartphones can be a source of problematic behavior among a minority of individuals.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Chen et al. (2020)
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe psychometric properties of the BSMAS have been established in English, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong versions.
“Additionally, the psychometric properties of the BSMAS have been established using English (Andreassen et al., 2016), Italian (Monacis et al., 2017), Persian (Lin, Broström, Nilsen, Griffiths, & Pakpour, 2017), Portuguese (Pontes, Andreassen, & Griffiths, 2016), Taiwanese (Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019), and Hong Kong versions (Yam et al., 2019).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Andreassen et al., 2016
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Monacis et al., 2017
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lin, Broström, Nilsen, Griffiths, & Pakpour, 2017; Pontes, Andreassen, & Griffiths, 2016; Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019; Yam et al., 2019
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataOf 308 baseline participants, 114 completed all follow-up assessments, 58 completed two follow-ups, and 40 completed one follow-up.
“Following this process, 308 Hong Kong students completed the baseline assessment; 114 Hong Kong students completed all the follow-up assessments; 58 completed two follow-ups; and 40 completed one follow-up.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationSmartphone addiction may be generalized because of the many different activities that can be engaged in using smartphones.
“However, smartphone addiction may be generalized because of the many different activities that can be engaged in using smartphones (e.g., gambling, gaming, social networking, and working) (Kuss & Griffiths, 2017).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Kuss & Griffiths, 2017
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataParticipants who completed all follow-ups were younger and spent less time on smartphones and social media than those who only participated at baseline.
“The participants who completed all follow-ups were younger (22.39 years) and spent less time on smartphones (4.10 hours/day) and social media (2.26 hours/day) than those who only participated at baseline (mean age = 25.19 years; time on smartphone = 5.90 hours/day; time on social media = 3.59 hours/day).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationTwo different forms of problematic use of digital technologies have been proposed: generalized internet addictions and specific internet addictions.
“Two different forms of problematic use of digital technologies have been proposed: generalized internet addictions and specific internet addictions (i.e., generalized problematic smartphone/internet use and specific problematic smartphone/internet use) (Brand, Young, & Laier, 2014; Davis, 2001; Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Brand, Young, & Laier, 2014
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Davis, 2001
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe construct validity of the HADS has been confirmed in Hong Kong adolescents.
“The construct validity of the HADS has been confirmed in Hong Kong adolescents (Chan, Leung, Fong, Leung, & Lee, 2010) with acceptable Cronbach's alphas (0.79 for anxiety and 0.67 for depression).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Chan, Leung, Fong, Leung, & Lee, 2010
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe psychometric properties of the SABAS have been established in English, Hungarian, Persian, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong versions.
“The psychometric properties of the SABAS have been established using English (Csibi et al., 2018), Hungarian (Csibi et al., 2016), Persian (Lin et al., 2018), Taiwanese (Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019), and Hong Kong versions (Yam et al., 2019).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Csibi et al., 2018
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Csibi et al., 2016
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lin et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019; Yam et al., 2019
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationPrior research suggests a relationship between different types of problematic smartphone/internet use and poor mental health.
“Although prior research suggests a relationship between different types of problematic smartphone/internet use and poor mental health (Pontes et al., 2015; Rücker et al. 2015)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Pontes et al., 2015
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Rücker et al. 2015
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationStrong relationships exist between smartphone addiction and social media addiction, most likely because social media use is primarily engaged in via smartphones.
“Despite such polarized views, strong relationships exist between smartphone addiction and social media addiction, most likely because social media use is primarily engaged in via smartphones (Kuss & Griffiths, 2017; Sha, Sariyska, Riedl, Lachmann & Montag, 2019).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Kuss & Griffiths, 2017
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Sha, Sariyska, Riedl, Lachmann & Montag, 2019
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe internal consistency of the HADS was acceptable across all assessments in the present study (α = 0.84-0.85; ω = 0.84-0.85).
“The internal consistency of the HADS was acceptable across all the assessments in the present study: α = 0.85 and ω = 0.85 at baseline; α = 0.84 and ω = 0.84 at first follow-up; α = 0.85 and ω = 0.85 at second follow-up; α = 0.85 and ω = 0.85 at third follow-up.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenData on when participants began using social media or smartphones were not collected.
“data on when participants began using social media or smartphones were not collected.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimThe quote only partly states this claim.
Interpretationown dataThe magnitude of the association between the intercept of specific problematic social media use and the growth of psychological distress was moderate (0.37; Cohen, 1988).
“However, the magnitude of the association was of note (0.37, a moderate effect size; Cohen, 1988).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Cohen, 1988
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationGriffiths (2000, 2005) proposed salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse as the six main criteria for addiction, and these have been modeled to assess generalized or specific problematic smartphone/internet use.
“Griffiths (2000, 2005) has proposed salience, mood, modification, tolerance, withdrawal conflict, and relapse as the six main criteria for addiction and these have been modeled to assess generalized or specific problematic smartphone/internet use.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Griffiths (2000, 2005)
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Interpretationown dataThe present study's findings echo the current evidence concerning the associations between problematic smartphone/internet use and mental health.
“The present study's findings echo the current evidence concerning the associations between problematic smartphone/internet use and mental health (Bányai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Bányai et al., 2017
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Csibi et al., 2018
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Monacis et al., 2017
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe RMSEA fit index was close to the suggested cutoff, but its 90% CI covered acceptable cutoff scores and did not exceed 0.10, except for the fourth model (Fig. 2b; 90% CI of RMSEA = 0.110).
“The fit index of RMSEA (0.083–0.092) was close to the suggested cutoff. However, its 90% CI covers acceptable cutoff scores and does not exceed the worst value for RMSEA (i.e., 0.10), except for the fourth model (Fig. 2b; 90% CI of RSMEA = 0.110).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataOnly one type of specific smartphone/internet problematic use (i.e., social media use) was assessed.
“only one type of specific smartphone/internet problematic use (i.e., social media use) was assessed.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe finding that the initial level of specific problematic use in social media was associated with the growth of psychological distress, while this association was not found with generalized problematic smartphone/internet use, supports scholars who distinguish generalized problematic smartphone/internet use from specific problematic use.
“This finding supports those scholars who distinguish generalized problematic smartphone/internet use from specific problematic use (Brand et al., 2014; Davis, 2001; Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Brand et al., 2014
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Davis, 2001
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Griffiths, 1998, 2000
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataMissing data in the present study appeared not to be missing at random, and significant differences were found between those completing the survey only once, those completing twice, those completing three times, and those completing all four assessments in age, hours spent on using smartphone per day, and hours spent on using social media per day.
“although missing data in the present study appeared not to be missing at random, significant differences were found between those completing the survey only once, those completing twice, those completing three times, and those completing all four assessments in age, hours spent on using smartphone per day, and hours spent on using social media per day.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationown dataThe results of the present study provided insights into the debate concerning whether problematic smartphone/internet use should be considered as an independent diagnosis or a negative consequence of other disorders.
“the results of the present study provided insights into the debate concerning whether problematic smartphone/internet use should be considered as an independent diagnosis or a negative consequence of other disorders (Pies, 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Pies, 2009
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationGeneralized problematic smartphone/internet use has been associated with other dysfunctions including impaired family functioning, lowered life satisfaction, problematic family interaction, poor emotional wellbeing, and decreased academic performance.
“Generalized problematic smartphone/internet use has been associated with other dysfunctions including impaired family functioning, lowered life satisfaction, problematic family interaction, poor emotional wellbeing, and decreased academic performance (Rücker et al. 2015; Wartberg, Kriston, Kammerl, Petersen, & Thomasius, 2015).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Rücker et al. 2015
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Wartberg, Kriston, Kammerl, Petersen, & Thomasius, 2015
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenAll data were self-reported using Google Forms and are subject to biases including memory recall and social desirability.
“all data were self-reported using Google Forms and are subject to biases including memory recall and social desirability.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThere was a Heywood case in the third model (Fig. 2a; a standardized coefficient is larger than 1).
“Moreover, there is a Heywood case in the third model (Fig. 2a; a standardized coefficient is larger than 1).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenOnly university students (with the majority from one university) were recruited using convenience sampling.
“only university students (with the majority from one university) were recruited using convenience sampling.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenParticipants who self-reported having any mental illness were excluded, but such diagnoses were not confirmed by formal psychiatric interviews or data from medical records.
“although participants who self-reported having any mental illness were excluded, such diagnoses were not confirmed by formal psychiatric interviews or data from medical records.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe present study corroborates and extends prior findings that problematic smartphone/internet use is associated with (and may further impact) psychological distress among individuals with problematic smartphone/internet use.
“The present study corroborates and extends prior findings (Bányai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019) that problematic smartphone/internet use is associated with (and may further impact) psychological distress among individuals with problematic smartphone/internet use.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Bányai et al., 2017
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Csibi et al., 2018
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Monacis et al., 2017
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataData were collected from Hong Kong, and the extent to which the findings generalize to other populations warrants further investigation.
“data were collected from Hong Kong and the extent to which the findings generalize to other populations also warrants further investigation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
Rarely has research used a longitudinal design to examine relationships between problematic smartphone/internet use and poor mental health in an East-Asian context.
“rarely has research used a longitudinal design to examine such relationships in an East-Asian context.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The direction between problematic use and psychological distress is still a matter of debate in the literature.
“given that the direction between problematic use and psychological distress is still a matter of debate in the literature”
The paper relies on this without support.
Missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores were missing at random.
“A full information maximum likelihood (FIML) method was used to impute missing data in SABAS, BSMAS, and HADS scores for all the participants.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The convenience sample of Hong Kong university students is representative of university students in general.
“Convenience sampling was used and 400 students were invited to participate (response rate = 77%).”
The paper relies on this without support.
The association between problematic use and psychological distress is not confounded by unmeasured variables.
“two models were constructed adjusting for age and gender.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Initial levels of issue-specific use in social media are associated with increased psychological distress.
“This suggests that initial levels of issue-specific use in social media are associated with increased psychological distress (57).”
From Effects of Short Video Addiction on the Motivation and Well-Being of Chinese Vocational College Students (2022) · cites this paper as [57]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Female proportion is reported as the male proportion
MinorThe results say 32.5% of participants were female, but Table 1 identifies 100 of 308 participants (32.5%) as male.
“Slightly less than one-third of participants were female (32.5%)”
“| Gender (Male) | 100 (32.5%) | 24 (21.1%) | 17 (29.3%) | 19 (47.5%) | 40 (41.7%) |”
Cites
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
Muller, K. E., & Cohen, J. (1989) · Technometrics · doi:10.2307/1270020 · Cited by 99,588 · see citing works
Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit
Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1992) · Sociological Methods & Research · doi:10.1177/0049124192021002005 · Cited by 27,200 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The following indices were used to examine whether the LGM model was robust and supported: comparative fit index (CFI) >0.9, root mean square of approximation (RMSEA) <0.1, and SRMR (standardized root mean square residual) <0.08 (Browne & Cudeck, 1993; Lin, 2018; Pakpour et al., 2019).”
MethodInfluentialDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
Carter, M. J. (2014) · Therapeutic Recreation Journal · Cited by 15,154 · see citing works
Testing Structural Equation Models.
Mueller, C. W., Bollen, K. A., & Long, J. S. (1994) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2074955 · Cited by 14,211 · see citing works
A “components” model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework
Griffiths, M. (2005) · Journal of Substance Use · doi:10.1080/14659890500114359 · Cited by 3,088 · see citing works
Self-citationA cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use
Davis, R. A. (2001) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0747-5632(00)00041-8 · Cited by 3,010 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Specific problematic smartphone/internet use (Brand et al., 2014; Davis, 2001; Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015) indicates problematic engagement in a particular type of smartphone/internet activity (e.g., social-media use, gaming, gambling) and shares similar features to generalized…”
BackgroundResultBrand, M., Young, K. S., Laier, C., Wölfling, K., & Potenza, M. N. (2016) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.033 · Cited by 2,153 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Nevertheless, the term addiction remains the most frequently used term in the international peer-reviewed literature (Brand et al., 2016).”
BackgroundSelf-citationAndreassen, C. S., Billieux, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Demetrovics, Z., Mazzoni, E., & Pallesen, S. (2016) · Psychology of Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1037/adb0000160 · Cited by 2,095 · see citing works
Self-citationSocial networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned
Kuss, D., & Griffiths, M. (2017) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph14030311 · Cited by 1,603 · see citing works
Self-citationInternet addiction: a systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade
Kuss, D., Griffiths, M., Karila, L., & Billieux, J. (2014) · Current Pharmaceutical Design · doi:10.2174/13816128113199990617 · Cited by 1,374 · see citing works
Self-citationBillieux, J., Maurage, P., Lopez-Fernandez, O., Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-015-0054-y · Cited by 1,205 · see citing works
Self-citationProblematic social media use: Results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample
Bányai, F., Zsila, Á., Király, O., Maraz, A., Elekes, Z., Griffiths, M. D., Andreassen, C. S., & Demetrovics, Z. (2017) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169839 · Cited by 984 · see citing works
Self-citationCheng, C., & Li, A. Y.-L. (2014) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2014.0317 · Cited by 727 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Rapid improvements in internet and smartphone technologies have been accompanied by substantial growth in the use of internet-based applications and platforms (Cheng & Li, 2014; Kuss & Griffiths, 2012; Kuss, Griffiths, Karila, & Billieus, 2014; Ryan, Chester, Reece, & Xenos, 2014).”
BackgroundThe uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of Facebook addiction
Ryan, T., Chester, A., Reece, J., & Xenos, S. (2014) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.3.2014.016 · Cited by 714 · see citing works
Internet Addiction - Time to be Taken Seriously?
Griffiths, M. (2000) · Addiction Research · doi:10.3109/16066350009005587 · Cited by 635 · see citing works
Self-citationBrand, M., Young, K. S., & Laier, C. (2014) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00375 · Cited by 565 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Specific problematic smartphone/internet use (Brand et al., 2014; Davis, 2001; Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015) indicates problematic engagement in a particular type of smartphone/internet activity (e.g., social-media use, gaming, gambling) and shares similar features to generalized…”
BackgroundResultInternet addiction and sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Alimoradi, Z., Lin, C., Broström, A., Bülow, P. H., Bajalan, Z., Griffiths, M. D., Ohayon, M. M., & Pakpour, A. H. (2019) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2019.06.004 · Cited by 483 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…of health problems generated from overuse of internet and smartphone technologies includes musculoskeletal discomfort, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and depressed mood states (Alimoradi et al., 2019; Ikeda & Nakamura, 2014; Nathan & Zeitzer, 2013; Yang, Chen, Huang, Lin, & Chang, 2017).”
BackgroundSelf-citationMonacis, L., de Palo, V., Griffiths, M. D., & Sinatra, M. (2017) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.6.2017.023 · Cited by 446 · cited 5× · see citing works
“The present study corroborates and extends prior findings (B anyai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019) that problematic smartphone/internet use is associated with (and may further impact) psychological distress among individuals with problematic…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSelf-citationInternet addiction: Does it really exist?
Griffiths, M. D. (1998) · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Self-citationOnline gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A review of empirical research
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.1.2012.1.1 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Self-citationMontag, C., Bey, K., Sha, P., Li, M., Chen, Y., Liu, W., Zhu, Y., Li, C., Markett, S., Keiper, J., et al. (2015) · Asia-Pacific Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/appy.12122 · Cited by 349 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Specific problematic smartphone/internet use (Brand et al., 2014; Davis, 2001; Griffiths, 1998, 2000; Montag et al., 2015) indicates problematic engagement in a particular type of smartphone/internet activity (e.g., social-media use, gaming, gambling) and shares similar features to generalized…”
BackgroundResultLeung, H., Pakpour, A. H., Strong, C., Lin, Y.-C., Tsai, M.-C., Griffiths, M. D., Lin, C.-Y., & Chen, I.-H. (2020) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.027 · Cited by 290 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…been established using English (Andreassen et al., 2016), Italian (Monacis et al., 2017), Persian (Lin, Brostr€om, Nilsen, Griffiths, & Pakpour, 2017), Portuguese (Pontes, Andreassen, & Griffiths, 2016), Taiwanese (Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019), and Hong Kong versions (Yam et al., 2019).”
MethodSelf-citationThe Psychometric Properties of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS)
Csibi, S., Griffiths, M. D., Cook, B. J., Demetrovics, Z., & Szabó, A. (2017) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-017-9787-2 · Cited by 268 · cited 5× · see citing works
“The present study corroborates and extends prior findings (B anyai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019) that problematic smartphone/internet use is associated with (and may further impact) psychological distress among individuals with problematic…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSelf-citationShould DSM-V Designate "Internet Addiction" a Mental Disorder?
Pies, R. W. (2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Lin, C.-Y., Broström, A., Nilsen, P., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2017) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.6.2017.071 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Self-citationA comparison of geometric- and regression-based mobile gaze-tracking
Browatzki, B., Bülthoff, H. H., & Chuang, L. L. (2014) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00200 · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Griffiths, M. D., Pontes, H. M., & Kuss, D. J. (2015) · Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics · doi:10.2147/nan.s60982 · Cited by 230 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Although prior research suggests a relationship between different types of problematic smartphone/internet use and poor mental health (Pontes et al., 2015; R€ucker et al. 2015), rarely has research used a longitudinal design to examine such relationships in an East-Asian context.”
BackgroundSelf-citationChen, I.-H., Strong, C., Lin, Y.-C., Tsai, M.-C., Leung, H., Lin, C.-Y., Pakpour, A. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.018 · Cited by 229 · cited 5× · see citing works
“Therefore, the present study takes the similar view to Chen et al. (2020) that applications on smartphones can be a source of problematic behavior among a minority of individuals.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationSha, P., Sariyska, R., Riedl, R., Lachmann, B., & Montag, C. (2018) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2018.100148 · Cited by 207 · cited 3× · see citing works
“The present study corroborates and extends prior findings (B anyai et al., 2017; Csibi et al., 2018; Monacis et al., 2017; Sha et al., 2019) that problematic smartphone/internet use is associated with (and may further impact) psychological distress among individuals with problematic…”
BackgroundResultTreatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients
Young, K. S. (2013) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.2.2013.4.3 · Cited by 199 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…for those seriously affected, psychological interventions (cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness interventions; Young, 2013) in the treatment of behavioral disorders (e.g., problematic smartphone/internet use) may be useful in helping overcome psychological…”
BackgroundYam, C.-W., Pakpour, A. H., Griffiths, M. D., Yau, W.-Y., Lo, C.-L. M., Ng, J. M. T., Lin, C., & Leung, H. (2018) · Psychiatric Quarterly · doi:10.1007/s11126-018-9610-7 · Cited by 193 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…been established using English (Andreassen et al., 2016), Italian (Monacis et al., 2017), Persian (Lin, Brostr€om, Nilsen, Griffiths, & Pakpour, 2017), Portuguese (Pontes, Andreassen, & Griffiths, 2016), Taiwanese (Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019), and Hong Kong versions (Yam et al., 2019).”
MethodSelf-citationAssociation Between Smartphone Use and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Adolescent Students
Yang, S.-Y., Chen, M., Huang, Y.-C., Lin, C., & Chang, J. (2016) · Journal of Community Health · doi:10.1007/s10900-016-0271-x · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Self-citationChan, Y.-F., Leung, D. Y. P., Fong, D. Y. T., Leung, C.-M., & Lee, A. M. (2010) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-010-9645-1 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Problematic Internet use is associated with substance use in young adolescents
Rücker, J., Akré, C., Berchtold, A., & Surı́s, J.-C. (2015) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.12971 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Portuguese validation of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale: an empirical study
Pontes, H. M., Andreassen, C. S., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-016-9694-y · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Self-citationWartberg, L., Kriston, L., Kammerl, R., Petersen, K.-U., & Thomasius, R. (2014) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000365095 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Ikeda, K., & Nakamura, K. (2013) · Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12199-013-0373-3 · Cited by 75 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…of health problems generated from overuse of internet and smartphone technologies includes musculoskeletal discomfort, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and depressed mood states (Alimoradi et al., 2019; Ikeda & Nakamura, 2014; Nathan & Zeitzer, 2013; Yang, Chen, Huang, Lin, & Chang, 2017).”
BackgroundKaraca, S., Saleh, A., Canan, F., & Potenza, M. N. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-016-9660-8 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citationSmartphone Application-Based Addiction Among Iranian Adolescents: A Psychometric Study
Lin, C., Imani, V., Broström, A., Nilsén, P., Fung, X. C. C., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2018) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-018-0026-2 · Cited by 73 · cited 2× · see citing works
“The psychometric properties of the SABAS have been established using English (Csibi et al., 2018), Hungarian (Csibi et al., 2016), Persian (Lin et al., 2018), Taiwanese (Chen et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2019), and Hong Kong versions (Yam et al., 2019).”
MethodSelf-citationM, S. R. R. (2015) · Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy · doi:10.4172/2155-6105.1000209 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Nathan, N. A., & Zeitzer, J. M. (2013) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-840 · Cited by 52 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…of health problems generated from overuse of internet and smartphone technologies includes musculoskeletal discomfort, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and depressed mood states (Alimoradi et al., 2019; Ikeda & Nakamura, 2014; Nathan & Zeitzer, 2013; Yang, Chen, Huang, Lin, & Chang, 2017).”
BackgroundPakpour, A. H., Chen, C., Lin, C., Strong, C., Tsai, M., & Lin, Y.-C. (2018) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2018.06.002 · Cited by 48 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The following indices were used to examine whether the LGM model was robust and supported: comparative fit index (CFI) >0.9, root mean square of approximation (RMSEA) <0.1, and SRMR (standardized root mean square residual) <0.08 (Browne & Cudeck, 1993; Lin, 2018; Pakpour et al., 2019).”
MethodInfluentialSelf-citationGriffiths, M. D., Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., Bilder, R. M., Torsheim, T., & Aboujaoude, E. N. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-016-9711-1 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
4 of the 47 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Research works printed but not linked: 44
- Brand, 2016, Integrating psychological and neurobiological considerations regarding the development and maintenance of specific Internet-use disorders: An Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 71, 252, 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.033 · DOI · Paper page
- Wartberg, 2015, Prevalence of pathological internet use in a representative German sample of adolescents: Results of a latent profile analysis, Psychopathology, 48, 25, 10.1159/000365095 · DOI
- Andreassen, 2016, The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorder: A large-scale cross-sectional study, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30, 252, 10.1037/adb0000160 · DOI · Paper page
- Ikeda, 2014, Association between mobile phone use and depressed mood in Japanese adolescents: A cross-sectional study, Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 19, 187, 10.1007/s12199-013-0373-3 · DOI
- Pontes, 2015, Clinical psychology of internet addiction: A review of its conceptualization, prevalence, neuronal processes, and implications for treatment, Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics, 4, 11
- Kuss, 2012, Online gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A review of empirical research, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 1, 3, 10.1556/jba.1.2012.1.1 · DOI · Paper page
- Browne, 1993, Alternative ways of assessing model fit, 136
- Cohen, 1988, Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences
- Yam, 2019, Psychometric testing of three Chinese online-related addictive behavior instruments among Hong Kong university students, Psychiatric Quarterly, 90, 117, 10.1007/s11126-018-9610-7 · DOI
- Sha, 2019, Linking internet communication and smartphone use disorder by taking a closer look at the Facebook and WhatsApp applications, Addictive Behaviors Reports, 9, 100148, 10.1016/j.abrep.2018.100148 · DOI
- World Health Organization, 2018, Gaming disorder
- Csibi, 2016, Hungarian adaptation and psychometric characteristics of brief addiction to smartphone scale (BASS) [in Hungarian], Psychiatria Hungarica, 31, 71
- Griffiths, 2000, Internet addiction – time to be taken seriously?, Addiction Research, 8, 413, 10.3109/16066350009005587 · DOI · Paper page
- Pakpour, 2019, The relationship between children's overweight and quality of life: A comparison of sizing me up, PedsQL, and Kid-KINDL, International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 19, 49, 10.1016/j.ijchp.2018.06.002 · DOI
- Chen, 2020, Time invariance of three ultra-brief internet-related instruments: Smartphone application-based addiction scale (SABAS), Bergen social media addiction scale (BSMAS), and the nine-item internet gaming disorder scale- short form (IGDS-SF9) (study Part B), Addictive Behaviors, 101, 105960, 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.018 · DOI · Paper page
- Karaka, 2017, Comorbidity between behavioral addictions and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 15, 701, 10.1007/s11469-016-9660-8 · DOI
- Csibi, 2018, The psychometric properties of the smartphone application-based addiction scale (SABAS), International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16, 393, 10.1007/s11469-017-9787-2 · DOI
- Lin, 2018, Smartphone application-based addiction among Iranian adolescents: A psychometric study, International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 17, 765, 10.1007/s11469-018-0026-2 · DOI
- Nathan, 2013, A survey study of the association between mobile phone use and daytime sleepiness in California high school students, BMC Public Health, 13, 840, 10.1186/1471-2458-13-840 · DOI
- Monacis, 2017, Social networking addiction, attachment style, and validation of the Italian version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6, 178, 10.1556/2006.6.2017.023 · DOI · Paper page
- Alimoradi, 2019, Internet addiction and sleep disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Sleep Medicine Reviews, 47, 51, 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.06.004 · DOI
- Cheng, 2014, Internet addiction prevalence and quality of (real) life: A meta-analysis of 31 nations across seven world regions, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17, 755, 10.1089/cyber.2014.0317 · DOI · Paper page
- Billieux, 2015, Can disordered mobile phone use be considered a behavioral addiction? An update on current evidence and a comprehensive model for future research, Current Addiction Reports, 2, 154, 10.1007/s40429-015-0054-y · DOI · Paper page
- Pontes, 2016, Portuguese validation of the Bergen Facebook addiction scale: An empirical study, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 14, 1062, 10.1007/s11469-016-9694-y · DOI · Paper page
- Sariyska, 2015, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a better predictor for problematic internet use than depression: Evidence from Germany, Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, 6, 209
- Griffiths, 1998, Internet addiction: Does it really exist?, 61
- Kuss, 2014, Internet addiction: A systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade, Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20, 4026, 10.2174/13816128113199990617 · DOI · Paper page
- Yang, 2017, Association between smartphone use and musculoskeletal discomfort in adolescent students, Journal of Community Health, 42, 423, 10.1007/s10900-016-0271-x · DOI
- World Health Organization, 2018, Gaming disorder
- Bányai, 2017, Problematic social media use: Results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample, PLoS One, 12, 10.1371/journal.pone.0169839 · DOI · Paper page
- Montag, 2015, Is it meaningful to distinguish between generalized and specific internet addiction? Evidence from a cross-cultural study from Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and China, Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 7, 20, 10.1111/appy.12122 · DOI · Paper page
- Griffiths, 2005, A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework, Journal of Substance Use, 10, 191, 10.1080/14659890500114359 · DOI · Paper page
- Chan, 2010, Psychometric evaluation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in a large community sample of adolescents in Hong Kong, Quality of Life Research, 19, 865, 10.1007/s11136-010-9645-1 · DOI · Paper page
- Kuss, 2017, Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14, 311, 10.3390/ijerph14030311 · DOI · Paper page
- Davis, 2001, A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use, Computers in Human Behavior, 17, 187, 10.1016/s0747-5632(00)00041-8 · DOI · Paper page
- Csibi, 2016, Hungarian adaptation and psychometric characteristics of brief addiction to smartphone scale (BASS) [in Hungarian], Psychiatria Hungarica, 31, 71
- 2013, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
- Pies, 2009, Should DSM-V designate “internet addiction” a mental disorder?, Psychiatry (Edgmont), 6, 31
- Rücker, 2015, Problematic internet use is associated with substance use in young adolescents, Acta Paediatrica, 10, 504, 10.1111/apa.12971 · DOI
- Ryan, 2014, The uses and abuses of Facebook: A review of Facebook addiction, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3, 133, 10.1556/jba.3.2014.016 · DOI · Paper page
- 2013, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
- Brand, 2014, Prefrontal control and internet addiction: A theoretical model and review of neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 1, 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00375 · DOI · Paper page
- Young, 2013, Treatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2, 209, 10.1556/jba.2.2013.4.3 · DOI · Paper page
- Lin, 2017, Psychometric validation of the Persian Bergen social media addiction scale using classic test theory and Rasch models, Journal of Behavioral Addiction, 6, 620, 10.1556/2006.6.2017.071 · DOI · Paper page
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries
Olson, J. A., Sandra, D. A., Colucci, É. S., Bikaii, A. A., Chmoulevitch, D., Nahas, J., Raz, A., & Veissière, S. P. L. (2021) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2021.107138 · Cited by 449 · see citing works
A meta-analysis of the problematic social media use and mental health
Huang, C. (2022) · International Journal of Social Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/0020764020978434 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Fineberg, N. A., Menchón, J. M., Hall, N., Dell’Osso, B. M., Brand, M., Potenza, M. N., Chamberlain, S. R., Cirnigliaro, G., Löchner, C., Billieux, J., et al. (2022) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152346 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Self-citationYe, J.-H., Wu, Y.-T., Wu, Y.-F., Chen, M.-Y., & Ye, J.-N. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.847672 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Problematic Social Media Use and Its Relationship with Depression or Anxiety: A Systematic Review
Lopes, L. S., Valentini, J. P., Monteiro, T. H., Costacurta, M. C. D. F., Soares, L. O. N., Telfar-Barnard, L., & Nunes, P. V. (2022) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2021.0300 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Chen, I.-H., Chen, C.-Y., Pakpour, A. H., Griffiths, M. D., Lin, C.-Y., Li, X.-D., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2021.00006 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Self-citationChen, I.-H., Chen, C.-Y., Pakpour, A. H., Griffiths, M. D., & Lin, C.-Y. (2020) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.06.007 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Self-citationSümen, A., & Evgin, D. (2021) · Child Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s12187-021-09838-9 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Problematic Internet use (PIU) in youth: a brief literature review of selected topics
Ruckwongpatr, K., Paratthakonkun, C., Ghavifekr, S., Gan, W. Y., Tung, S. E. H., Nurmala, I., Nadhiroh, S. R., Pramukti, I., & Lin, C. (2022) · Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101150 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Self-citationChen, I., Chen, C., Liu, C., Ahorsu, D. K., Griffiths, M. D., Chen, Y., Kuo, Y., Lin, C., Pakpour, A. H., & Wang, S. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2021.00052 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Overlap Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Problematic Social Media Use: a Systematic Review
Marino, C., Canale, N., Melodia, F., Spada, M. M., & Vieno, A. (2021) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-021-00398-0 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Sánchez-Fernández, M., & Mas, M. D. L. M. B. (2022) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-022-11437-2 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Yang, X., Guo, W., Tao, Y., Meng, Y., Wang, H.-Y., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Zeng, J., Tang, W., Wang, Q., et al. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.013 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Understanding the construction of 'behavior' in smartphone addiction: A scoping review.
James, R., Dixon, G., Dragomir, M.-G., Thirlwell, E., & Hitcham, L. (2022) · Addictive Behaviours · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107503 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Chen, C., Chen, I., Hou, W., Potenza, M. N., O’Brien, K., Lin, C., & Latner, J. D. (2021) · Journal of Addiction Medicine · doi:10.1097/adm.0000000000000845 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
“Un e78 To date, Internet-related activities have been associated with the poorer psychological well-being of children during school suspension, suggesting a need for implementing appropriate monitoring plans regarding their Internet or smartphone use.(5,45,49) Based on the findings of the present study, engaging schoo…”
BackgroundResultSelf-citationProblematic smartphone use and academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Paterna, A., Alcaraz-Ibáñez, M., Aguilar-Parra, J. M., Salavera, C., Demetrovics, Z., & Griffiths, M. D. (2024) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2024.00014 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Self-citationLin, C., Namdar, P., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2020) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.13169 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Self-citationFung, X. C. C., Siu, A. M. H., Potenza, M. N., O'Brien, K. S., Latner, J. D., Chen, C.-Y., Chen, I.-H., & Lin, C.-Y. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.675839 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationProblematic Social Networking Site use-effects on mental health and the brain
Weinstein, A. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1106004 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Tullett-Prado, D., Doley, J. R., Zarate, D., Gomez, R., & Stavropoulos, V. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04985-5 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
You, Z., Mei, W., Ye, N., Zhang, L., & Andrasik, F. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00104 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
“IA, consequently, has become one of the main factors affecting the physical and mental health of college students (e.g., Bener et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2020).”
BackgroundHuang, P., Chen, J., Potenza, M. N., Griffiths, M. D., Pakpour, A. H., Chen, J., Lin, Y.-C., Hung, C., O’Brien, K., & Lin, C. (2022) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2022.00084 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Self-citationYang, S., Wang, Y., Lee, Y., Lin, Y., Hsieh, P., & Lin, P. (2022) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare10050963 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Çi̇çek, I., Emin Şanlı, M., Arslan, G., & Yıldırım, M. (2024) · Psihologija · doi:10.2298/psi220613009c · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents 18 Months after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Paulus, F. W., Joas, J., Gerstner, I., Kühn, A., Wenning, M., Gehrke, T., Burckhart, H., Richter, U., Nonnenmacher, A., Zemlin, M., et al. (2022) · Children · doi:10.3390/children9111724 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
“Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of developing PIU in youth has increased [44,45].”
BackgroundWang, W.-B., Mehmood, A., Li, P., Yang, Z.-N., Niu, J.-B., Chu, H.-Y., Qiao, Z.-X., Qiu, X.-H., Zhou, J., Yang, Y.-J., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660234 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Lin, C., Potenza, M. N., Broström, A., & Pakpour, A. H. (2020) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100332 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Self-citationThe course of problematic social media use in young adolescents: A latent class growth analysis
Boer, M., Stevens, G. W. J. M., Finkenauer, C., & van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M. (2021) · Child Development · doi:10.1111/cdev.13712 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Cao, C.-H., Dang, C.-Y., Zheng, X., Chen, W.-G., Chen, I., & Gamble, J. H. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11050700 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
“We also found that PSU and PG caused more severe psychological distress for freshmen than PSMU, which is similar to that of prior findings [69].”
ResultInfluentialSelf-citationZhou, W., Yan, Z., Yang, Z., & Hussain, Z. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1237924 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
“(36) used the sum scores of anxiety and depression to represent the overall psychological distress and found that initial PSMU predicted the growth of psychological distress.”
MethodZhang, K., Li, P., Zhao, Y., Griffiths, M. D., Wang, J., & Zhang, M. X. (2023) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s414625 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Self-citationAlimoradi, Z., Broström, A., Potenza, M. N., Lin, C., & Pakpour, A. H. (2024) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-024-00555-1 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Self-citationNawaz, S. (2024) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100424 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Social media and mental health in students: a cross-sectional study during the Covid-19 pandemic
Nazari, A., Hosseinnia, M., Torkian, S., & Garmaroudi, G. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04859-w · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Zhang, K., Guo, H., Wang, T., Zhang, J., Yuan, G., Ren, J., Zhang, X., Yang, H., Lu, X., Zhu, Z., et al. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1083856 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“(27) conducted a 9-month follow-up of 308 Hong Kong university students and found that the growth of SA was positively associated with depression.”
BackgroundLi, Y., Mu, W., Xie, X., & Kwok, S. Y. C. L. (2023) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076231158036 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“22 Although some studies have explored the association between IGD, PSMU, and PSU and psychological distress, 23,24 IGD, PSMU, and PSU and meaning in life, 25,26 few studies have explored the association between IGD, PSMU, and PSU, psychological distress, and meaning in life, especially in the…”
BackgroundLiu, C. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-05384-6 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
“Therefore, an individual’s current or past mental health status (such as psychological distress) can affect the problematic use of online activities, leading to an increase in screen time and addiction [35–37].”
BackgroundWang, J., Xiao, T., Liu, Y., Guo, Z., & Yi, Z. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02785-y · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Investigating the Role of Health Factors and Psychological Well-Being in Gaming Disorder
Moore, S., Satel, J., & Pontes, H. M. (2021) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2021.0050 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Social media use, psychological well-being and physical health during lockdown
Yue, Z., Lee, D. S., Xiao, J., & Zhang, R. (2021) · Information Communication & Society · doi:10.1080/1369118x.2021.2013917 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“It has been measured with various indicators including affect (Verduyn et al., 2015), life satisfaction (Orben et al., 2019), stress (Chen et al., 2020a), depression (Huang, 2017) and body image (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialZhang, C., Zeng, P., Tan, J., Sun, S., Zhao, M., Cui, J., Zhang, G., Jia, J., & Liu, D. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.755059 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Chang, K., Chang, Y., Yen, C., Chen, J., Chen, P., Lin, C., Griffiths, M. D., Potenza, M. N., & Pakpour, A. H. (2022) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2022.00012 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Self-citationShafi, R. M. A., Nakonezny, P. A., Miller, K. A., Desai, J., Almorsy, A. G., Ligezka, A. N., Morath, B. A., Romanowicz, M., & Croarkin, P. E. (2021) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114020 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Lin, B., Teo, E. W., & Yan, T. (2022) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s375395 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Nurmala, I., Nadhiroh, S. R., Pramukti, I., Tyas, L., Zari, A., Griffiths, M., & Lin, C.-Y. (2022) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10403 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Self-citationLee, K.-Y., Chen, C., Chen, J., Liu, C., Chang, K., Fung, X. C. C., Chen, J., Kao, Y.-C., Potenza, M. N., Pakpour, A. H., et al. (2023) · Research in Developmental Disabilities · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104410 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationMoretta, T., & Wegmann, E. (2025) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100603 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Focusing on these consequences, PSMU is related to psychological distress and insomnia (Chen et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2021, Marino et al., 2022), social and emotional impairments (D ’ Arienzo, Boursier, & Griffiths, 2019; Elhai, Yang, & Montag, 2021; Wegmann & Brand, 2019), as well as…”
Elbilgahy, A. A., Sweelam, R. K., Eltaib, F. A., Bayomy, H. E.-S., & Elwasefy, S. A. (2021) · SAGE Open Nursing · doi:10.1177/23779608211055614 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Chen, I., Chang, K., Chang, C.-W., Huang, S.-W., Potenza, M. N., Pakpour, A. H., & Lin, C. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.044 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationMaftei, A., & Măirean, C. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01359-0 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Ostovar, S., Bagheri, R., Griffiths, M. D., & Hashim, I. H. M. (2021) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2581 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-citationAlzhrani, A. M., Aboalshamat, K. T., Badawoud, A. M., Abdouh, I. M., Badri, H. M., Quronfulah, B. S., Mahmoud, M. A., & Rajeh, M. T. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280681 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“This finding is consistent with other studies on smartphone addiction and psychological distress [15, 16, 27].”
BackgroundResultDigital Reflections: Narcissism, Stress, Social Media Addiction, and Nomophobia
Maftei, A., & Pătrăușanu, A.-M. (2024) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2023.2256453 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“…several other cross-sectional and longitudinal studies highlighted the significant role between social media addiction and psychological distress (including stress) among various populations (Chen et al., 2020), including youth (Chen et al., 2020; Henzel & Håkansson, 2021; Oluwole et al., 2021).”
BackgroundPakpour, A. H., Jafari, E., Zanjanchi, F., Potenza, M. N., & Lin, C. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01216-6 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“IA may be classified into generalized and specific forms (Chen et al., 2020a, b; Leung et al., 2020).”
InfluentialSelf-citationSmartphone addiction and perceived pain among nursing students: a cross-sectional study
Özdi̇l, K., Çatıker, A., & Büyüksoy, G. D. B. (2021) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2021.1958236 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“In the literature, it is seen that there are many studies evaluating the internet and smartphone addiction status of university students with different scales (Leung et al., 2020; Chen et al., 2020b; Lin et al., 2019).”
BackgroundYi, J., Chen, I., Lin, C., Li, C.-C., Liao, X.-L., Zhi-hui, W., & Gamble, J. H. (2021) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare9091199 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“PIU frequently involves addictive use of smartphones (PSU) and social media (PSMU), which are the two key measures of PIU adopted by the current study and which have demonstrated negative effects on health outcomes [19].”
BackgroundResultInfluentialSelf-citationPsychological distress and aggression among adolescents with internet gaming disorder symptoms
Deng, X., Hu, Y., Liu, C.-Y., Li, Q., Ning, Y., Zhang, Q.-Y., Liu, L., Qiu, J.-N., Xu, H.-B., Xue, L., et al. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115624 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Conversely, recent longitudinal studies have suggested that internet addiction may also contribute to psychological distress (Chen et al., 2020; Yu and Shek, 2018).”
BackgroundLee, P. H., Tse, A. C. Y., Wu, C. S. T., Mak, Y. W., & Lee, U. (2021) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.30773/pi.2020.0197 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
The Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale
Abiddine, F. Z. E., Aljaberi, M. A. A., Alduais, A. M. S., Lin, C.-Y., Vally, Z., & Griffiths, M. D. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-024-01297-x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Similarly, several longitudinal studies conducted in Asian regions have reported associations between higher BSMAS scores and depression (Chang et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2021a, Chen et al., 2021b; Chen et al., 2020a, 2020b, 2020c).”
Self-citationPeng, P., Chen, Z., Ren, S., Hé, Y., Li, J. G., Liao, A., Zhao, L. L., Shao, X., Chen, S. S., He, R., et al. (2025) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796025000046 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Digital addictions, including internet gaming disorder (IGD), smartphone addiction, internet addiction and social media addiction, are regarded as emerging risk factors for adolescent Peng et al. depression (Chen et al. , 2020a; Düll et al. , 2024; Karakose et al. , 2023).”
Özbek, M. G., & Karaş, H. (2021) · Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1111/psyg.12770 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Wang, Y., Luo, Y., Yan, N., Mackay, L. E., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Shiferaw, B. D., Shen, X., Zhu, Y., & Wang, W. (2024) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108170 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Wang, J., Wang, N., Qi, T., Liu, Y., & Guo, Z. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1520404 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Xu, T. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18189758 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“The main reason for such difficulties was poor adaptation to the new learning mode [24,62], and instead over-indulging on the internet [25], which can lead to offline communication obstacles.”
BackgroundXu, W., & Zheng, S. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1036128 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“, 2016), relevant signs include overuse on social media platforms, log in or check social software frequently, irritability, or anxiety when not being able to access social media (Chen et al., 2020).”
BackgroundResilience and problematic smartphone use: a moderated mediation model
Hao, Z., Jin, L., Huang, J., Akram, H. R., & Cui, Q. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04541-1 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Those who engage in PSU are more likely to endure loneliness [9], interpersonal issues [10], and distress [11].”
BackgroundChen, C., Lee, K.-Y., Fung, X. C. C., Chen, J., Lai, Y.-C., Potenza, M. N., Chang, K., Fang, C., Pakpour, A. H., & Lin, C. (2024) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s449369 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“When the 95% lower limit confidence interval (LLCI) and upper limit confidence interval (ULCI) did not cross 0, a mediating effect of psychological distress was supported.”
Self-citationHuang, Y., Ruckwongpatr, K., Chen, J., Pakpour, A. H., Siaw, Y.-L., Nadhiroh, S. R., Kukreti, S., Chen, J.-S., Potenza, M. N., Griffiths, M. D., et al. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-024-01270-8 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Moreover, the DASS-21 score was used as a dependent variable because prior empirical evidence has shown that PUI assessed at an earlier time point is associated with psychological distress assessed at a later time point (Chang et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2020a, 2020b, 2021, 2022).”
InfluentialSelf-citationGuo, N., Luk, T., Wang, M., Ho, S., Fong, D., Wan, A., Chan, S., & Lam, T.-H. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.614061 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“The independent associations of self-reported SNS time with PSU highlighted the needs of specific measurements on problematic SNS use (51) and interventions to prevent and reduce SNS time.”
BackgroundSantini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Andersen, S., Tolstrup, J. S., Koyanagi, A., Nielsen, L., Meilstrup, C., Koushede, V., & Ekholm, O. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-024-01283-3 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“…with most previous studies showing positive associations between social media addiction symptoms and mental health (Brailovskaia & Margraf, 2017; Chen et al., 2020; Muusses et al., 2014; Raudsepp, 2019; Raudsepp & Kais, 2019; Vernon et al., 2017) or perceived and objective isolation (Marttila…”
The association between problematic internet use and burnout: A three-level meta-analysis
Mao, P., Cai, Z., Chen, B., & Sun, X. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.240 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Luo, A., Kong, W., He, H., Li, Y., & Xie, W. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.888714 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Yang, Y., Su, J., Pimsen, A., Chen, J., Potenza, M. N., Pakpour, A. H., Chen, J., Poon, W. C., Nurmala, I., Ruckwongpatr, K., et al. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-05210-z · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Generalized IA relates to excessive internet use overall while specific IA refers to specified online activities (e.g., involving social networks, gambling, gaming, pornography, or shopping) [36–38].”
BackgroundSelf-citationCarter, B., Ahmed, N., Cassidy, O., Pearson, O., Calcia, M., Mackie, C. J., & Kalk, N. J. (2024) · BMJ Mental Health · doi:10.1136/bmjment-2024-301115 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Wang, W., Wang, J., Liu, Y., & Deng, L. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-05173-z · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“This explanation is supported by previous cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in the field of addiction psychology 135 .”
Akbari, M., Seydavi, M., Zamani, E., & Griffiths, M. D. (2022) · Addiction Research & Theory · doi:10.1080/16066359.2022.2149742 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“…(Rodgers et al. 2013; Smith et al. 2013; Rodgers and Melioli 2016; Santarossa and Woodruff 2017; Imperatori et al. 2021), psychological distress (Chen et al. 2020; Keles et al. 2020; Lin et al. 2020; Wong et al. 2020; Yurdag € ul et al. 2021; Chen et al. 2021; Korkmazer et al. 2022), and…”
BackgroundSelf-citationOuyang, Q., Liu, Q., Song, P.-Y., Wang, J., & Yang, S. (2022) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2022.2148697 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“…of Nephrology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group multiple uses, smartphone addiction is also classified as generalized internet addiction (Chen et al., 2020).”
BackgroundResultBrailovskaia, J., & Margraf, J. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0277631 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Pei, Y., Li, H.-C., Zhong, J., Gao, X.-L., Xiao, C., Yuan, Y., & Xiong, X. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1042147 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
The association of motives with problematic smartphone use: A systematic review
Sullivan, B. M., & George, A. M. (2023) · Cyberpsychology Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace · doi:10.5817/cp2023-1-2 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Pramukti, I., Nurmala, I., Nadhiroh, S. R., Tung, S. E. H., Gan, W. Y., Siaw, Y.-L., Yang, Y., Griffiths, M. D., Lin, C., & Pakpour, A. H. (2023) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.30773/pi.2022.0304 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationArpacı, İ., Karataş, K., Kiran, F., Kuşci, İ., & Topcu, A. E. (2021) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2021.1923588 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“During the pandemic, problematic Internet use was increased among school children and Internet-related activities were associated with greater psychological distress (Chen et al., 2020; Chen, Chen, O’Brien, et al., 2021; Chen, Chen, Pakpour, et al., 2021).”
BackgroundSánchez-Fernández, M., Mas, M. D. L. M. B., Horváth, Z., & Demetrovics, Z. (2024) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152512 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Is Nomophobia Problematic or Functional? A Perspective from Bifactor Structure
Ren, S., Liu, T., Zhao, X., Yang, H., & Elhai, J. D. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01030-0 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“It suggests that mobile phone dependency is triggered not only by the exhibition of problematic mobile phone use (Chen et al., 2020; Pancani et al., 2020), but also by the functional use of mobile phones (Van Deursen et al.”
Li, L., Chen, I.-H., Mamun, M., al-Mamun, F., Ullah, I., Hosen, I., Malik, N., Fatima, A., Poorebrahim, A., Pourgholami, M., et al. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01154-3 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Unlike gaming disorder as a form of specific internet addiction (Chen et al., 2023; Ghazi et al., 2023; Wu et al., 2023), PSU may constitute a behavioral addiction as a form of generalized internet addiction (Chen, Strong, et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2020).”
Self-citationRuckwongpatr, K., Paratthakonkun, C., Sangtongdee, U., Pramukti, I., Nurmala, I., Angkasith, K., Thanachaisakul, W., Ketchatturat, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kao, Y.-K., et al. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2024.047023 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationZhang, M., Chi, C., Liu, Q., Zhang, Y., Tao, X., Liu, H., & Xuan, B. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1362121 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Hallauer, C., Rooney, E. A., Yang, H.-B., Meng, Q., Montag, C., & Elhai, J. (2021) · Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies · doi:10.1002/hbe2.319 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Lee, S. J., Choi, M. J., Yu, S. H., Kim, H., Park, S. J., & Choi, I. Y. (2022) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076221089095 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Alshehri, O. (2022) · Revista Amazonia Investiga · doi:10.34069/ai/2022.51.03.11 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“The students’ concern over distraction echo those of scholars such as Lederer (2012); Haand and Shuwang (2020) and Chen et al. (2020) who argue that using social media can be a source of distraction in the classroom.”
BackgroundMindfulness, impulsivity and psychological distress: the mediation role of smartphone addiction
Kayiş, A. R. (2022) · British Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1080/03069885.2022.2046255 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Besides, longitudinal studies have also shown that excessive mobile phone use causes depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders (Thomée et al., 2007; Thomée et al., 2011), with problematic smartphone use increasing university students’ psychological distress (Chen et al., 2020).”
BackgroundChen, Y., & Huo, Y. (2022) · Youth & Society · doi:10.1177/0044118x221126548 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Second, PSU includes different forms, such as generalized problematic use and specific problematic use (e.g., shopping, gaming, gambling; I. H. Chen et al., 2020), which may vary between individuals’ motivations for usage.”
BackgroundLi, Y., Mu, W., Sun, C., & Kwok, S. Y. C. L. (2022) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-022-10136-x · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Saquib, N., Saquib, J., AlSalhi, A., Carras, M. C., Labrique, A. B., Al-Khani, A. M., Basha, A. C., & Almazrou, A. (2023) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2023.2256826 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Adolescents with PIU are more likely to report sleep problems, have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight, suffer from stress and depression, and have a poor quality of life (Alimoradi et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2021, 2020, 2021).”
BackgroundWang, T.-J., Kang, C.-L., Tsai, J., Song, W.-T., & Lien, A. S. (2021) · Science Progress · doi:10.1177/00368504211011878 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Examining the Interplay of Smartphone Use Disorder, Mental Health, and Physical Symptoms
Reer, F., Wehden, L.-O., Janzik, R., & Quandt, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.834835 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Recent longitudinal studies have indicated that SmUD can lead to increases in loneliness and mental problems over time (50, 51).”
BackgroundMethodArrivillaga, C., Griffiths, M. D., Rey, L., & Extremera, N. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-024-06728-5 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationAhmed, O., Dawel, A., Walsh, E., & Cherbuin, N. (2025) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108446 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Lee, M., & Bhang, S. (2023) · Journal of Korean medical science · doi:10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e221 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Jiang, Y., Xiao, C., Wang, X., Yuan, D., Liu, Q., Han, Y., Fan, J., & Zhu, X. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/70680 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Chen, I.-H., Pakpour, A. H., Leung, H., Potenza, M. N., Su, J.-A., Lin, C.-Y., & Griffiths, M. D.
- Affiliations
- Minnan Normal University (CN)
- Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- City University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Yale University (US)
- Chang Gung University (TW)
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Lin, Chung-Ying
- Venue
- Journal of Behavioral Addictions
- Publisher
- Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
- Published
- 2020-06
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 410-419
- ISSN
- 2062-5871 (ISSN-L)
- 2063-5303
- PMC
- PMC8939406
- OpenAlex
- W3037865145
- Semantic Scholar
- 3d02484d45e179e134ee5e60f61ca2b7f9318e93
- Cited by
- 213
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 5
- FWCI
- 39.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Behavioral Addictions (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
- Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) (acceptedVersion)
- CityU Scholars (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Funders
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
- Keywords
- smartphone addiction, problematic internet use, social media addiction, psychological distress, anxiety, depression, university students, young adults, longitudinal associations
- MeSH terms
- Smartphone, Psychological Distress, Internet Addiction Disorder, Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Female, Hong Kong, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Stress, Psychological, Students, Universities, Young Adult, Social Media
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review