Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations?
Abstract Background The appropriate use of smartphones is closely related to individual well-being. However, excessive use of smartphones can have detrimental effects on users. This study explores the relationship between problematic smartphone use, smartphone distraction, and well-being across four...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21269-z |
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| author | Diego Bellini Maria Lidia Mascia Rachele Conti Maria Pietronilla Penna |
| author_facet | Diego Bellini Maria Lidia Mascia Rachele Conti Maria Pietronilla Penna |
| author_sort | Diego Bellini |
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| description | Abstract Background The appropriate use of smartphones is closely related to individual well-being. However, excessive use of smartphones can have detrimental effects on users. This study explores the relationship between problematic smartphone use, smartphone distraction, and well-being across four different generations. Method A total of 430 Italian participants ranging across four generations categorized by age groups, completed a comprehensive questionnaire. These groups included Baby Boomers (M = 63.76; SD = 4.50), Generation X (M = 50.94; SD = 4.41), Generation Y (35,88; SD = 2.29), and Generation Z (M = 24.23; SD = 2.73). The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, digital tools usage, digital activities, the Mobile Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS) and its subdimensions—withdrawal and social aspects (WITHD) and craving and escape from other problems (CRAV)—the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) and its subdimensions—attention impulsiveness (ATT IMP), online vigilance (ON VIG), emotion regulation (EM REG), and multitasking (MULT)—and the I COPPE well-being scale. Analyses were conducted using ANOVA, correlations, and hierarchical regression to explore the relationships between these variables. Generational groups and weekly time spent on online activities were included as control variables in the hierarchical regression analysis. Result Results revealed a positive correlation between MPPS and SDS scores. The younger generation showed higher mean values for MPPS and SDS, except for ON VIG. No significant generational differences were found in well-being subdimensions. WITHD negatively affects interpersonal (β = -0.144; p < 0.05), community (β = -0.172; p < 0.01), psychological (β = -0.128; p < 0.05), general (β = -0.140; p < 0.05), and economic (β = -0.147; p < 0.05) well-being while EM REG negatively affect occupational (β =—0.158; p < 0.05) well-being. Conversely, MULT was positively related to occupational (β = 0.191; p < 0.01) physical (β = 0.131; p< 0.05), and economic (β = 0.124; p < 0.05) well-being. Conclusion This study illustrates how smartphones often function as an escape from the real word, underscoring the need to manage and educate their use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-459eeebe77cb49f592ab65068e89c1b3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-459eeebe77cb49f592ab65068e89c1b32025-02-09T12:58:03ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-0125111510.1186/s12889-024-21269-zSmartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations?Diego Bellini0Maria Lidia Mascia1Rachele Conti2Maria Pietronilla Penna3Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of CagliariDepartment of History, Human Sciences and Education, University of SassariDepartment of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of CagliariDepartment of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of CagliariAbstract Background The appropriate use of smartphones is closely related to individual well-being. However, excessive use of smartphones can have detrimental effects on users. This study explores the relationship between problematic smartphone use, smartphone distraction, and well-being across four different generations. Method A total of 430 Italian participants ranging across four generations categorized by age groups, completed a comprehensive questionnaire. These groups included Baby Boomers (M = 63.76; SD = 4.50), Generation X (M = 50.94; SD = 4.41), Generation Y (35,88; SD = 2.29), and Generation Z (M = 24.23; SD = 2.73). The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, digital tools usage, digital activities, the Mobile Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS) and its subdimensions—withdrawal and social aspects (WITHD) and craving and escape from other problems (CRAV)—the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) and its subdimensions—attention impulsiveness (ATT IMP), online vigilance (ON VIG), emotion regulation (EM REG), and multitasking (MULT)—and the I COPPE well-being scale. Analyses were conducted using ANOVA, correlations, and hierarchical regression to explore the relationships between these variables. Generational groups and weekly time spent on online activities were included as control variables in the hierarchical regression analysis. Result Results revealed a positive correlation between MPPS and SDS scores. The younger generation showed higher mean values for MPPS and SDS, except for ON VIG. No significant generational differences were found in well-being subdimensions. WITHD negatively affects interpersonal (β = -0.144; p < 0.05), community (β = -0.172; p < 0.01), psychological (β = -0.128; p < 0.05), general (β = -0.140; p < 0.05), and economic (β = -0.147; p < 0.05) well-being while EM REG negatively affect occupational (β =—0.158; p < 0.05) well-being. Conversely, MULT was positively related to occupational (β = 0.191; p < 0.01) physical (β = 0.131; p< 0.05), and economic (β = 0.124; p < 0.05) well-being. Conclusion This study illustrates how smartphones often function as an escape from the real word, underscoring the need to manage and educate their use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21269-zSmartphone overuseDistractionWell-beingGeneration |
| spellingShingle | Diego Bellini Maria Lidia Mascia Rachele Conti Maria Pietronilla Penna Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? BMC Public Health Smartphone overuse Distraction Well-being Generation |
| title | Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? |
| title_full | Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? |
| title_fullStr | Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? |
| title_short | Smartphone overuse and distraction: which relationship with general well-being across different generations? |
| title_sort | smartphone overuse and distraction which relationship with general well being across different generations |
| topic | Smartphone overuse Distraction Well-being Generation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21269-z |
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