Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The widespread integration of smartphones into daily life has raised concerns about their potential impact on Sleep Quality (SQ). Excessive smartphone use, particularly before bedtime, may contribute to sleep disturbances through prolonged screen exposure, cognitive stimulation and nig...

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Main Authors: Ajay Thangaraj, Kamatchinathan Premkumar, Vaishali Shanmugam, G Sheelapriya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21081/79099_CE[Ra1]_F(KR)_QC(PS_SS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Ajay Thangaraj
Kamatchinathan Premkumar
Vaishali Shanmugam
G Sheelapriya
author_facet Ajay Thangaraj
Kamatchinathan Premkumar
Vaishali Shanmugam
G Sheelapriya
author_sort Ajay Thangaraj
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The widespread integration of smartphones into daily life has raised concerns about their potential impact on Sleep Quality (SQ). Excessive smartphone use, particularly before bedtime, may contribute to sleep disturbances through prolonged screen exposure, cognitive stimulation and night-time interruptions. Given the critical role of sleep in overall health and wellbeing, understanding the association between problematic smartphone use and sleep disturbances is essential. Aim: To examine the association between Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU) and SQ among adults, highlighting its potential impact on sleep patterns and overall wellbeing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Indira Medical College and Hospitals, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India from January to June 2024. A total of 92 adult participants were included in the study. Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) was assessed using a modified PMPU Questionnaire, while SQ was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Correlation analysis, multiple regression and logistic regression were performed to examine relationships and identify predictors of SQ. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between PMPU scores and PSQI scores (r=0.61, p-value <0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified the PMPU score as the strongest independent predictor of poor SQ (β=0.512, p-value <0.001), even after controlling for age, gender and mobile phone use duration. The association was strongest among younger participants (18-25 years: r=0.68, p-value <0.001) and slightly more pronounced in females (r=0.65, p-value <0.001). Logistic regression confirmed that each 10-point increase in PMPU score raised the odds of poor SQ by 2.35 times (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.62-3.41, p-value <0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between PMPU and decreased SQ. Beyond screen time and content, PMPU represents an important factor influencing sleep health.
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spelling doaj-art-07d058fad2c645b39663bc36a82d86182025-08-20T03:10:24ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-06-01196VC01VC0610.7860/JCDR/2025/79099.21081Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional StudyAjay Thangaraj0Kamatchinathan Premkumar1Vaishali Shanmugam2G Sheelapriya3Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Medical College and Hospital, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Annaii Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Life Transition Counsellor and Coach, GT Clinic, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.Introduction: The widespread integration of smartphones into daily life has raised concerns about their potential impact on Sleep Quality (SQ). Excessive smartphone use, particularly before bedtime, may contribute to sleep disturbances through prolonged screen exposure, cognitive stimulation and night-time interruptions. Given the critical role of sleep in overall health and wellbeing, understanding the association between problematic smartphone use and sleep disturbances is essential. Aim: To examine the association between Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU) and SQ among adults, highlighting its potential impact on sleep patterns and overall wellbeing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Indira Medical College and Hospitals, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India from January to June 2024. A total of 92 adult participants were included in the study. Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) was assessed using a modified PMPU Questionnaire, while SQ was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Correlation analysis, multiple regression and logistic regression were performed to examine relationships and identify predictors of SQ. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between PMPU scores and PSQI scores (r=0.61, p-value <0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified the PMPU score as the strongest independent predictor of poor SQ (β=0.512, p-value <0.001), even after controlling for age, gender and mobile phone use duration. The association was strongest among younger participants (18-25 years: r=0.68, p-value <0.001) and slightly more pronounced in females (r=0.65, p-value <0.001). Logistic regression confirmed that each 10-point increase in PMPU score raised the odds of poor SQ by 2.35 times (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.62-3.41, p-value <0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between PMPU and decreased SQ. Beyond screen time and content, PMPU represents an important factor influencing sleep health.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21081/79099_CE[Ra1]_F(KR)_QC(PS_SS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdfaddiction behaviourdigital healthmobile phone usesleep quality
spellingShingle Ajay Thangaraj
Kamatchinathan Premkumar
Vaishali Shanmugam
G Sheelapriya
Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
addiction behaviour
digital health
mobile phone use
sleep quality
title Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
title_fullStr Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
title_short Problematic Smartphone Use and its Association with Sleep Disturbances: A Cross-sectional Study
title_sort problematic smartphone use and its association with sleep disturbances a cross sectional study
topic addiction behaviour
digital health
mobile phone use
sleep quality
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21081/79099_CE[Ra1]_F(KR)_QC(PS_SS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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AT vaishalishanmugam problematicsmartphoneuseanditsassociationwithsleepdisturbancesacrosssectionalstudy
AT gsheelapriya problematicsmartphoneuseanditsassociationwithsleepdisturbancesacrosssectionalstudy