Search

Problematic smartphone use has been associated with poorer mental health in different population groups; however, little is known about how levels of smartphone use were associated with mental health outcomes of adults in Australia. Using data from a cross-sectional survey among Australian adults aged 18–59 years (n = 655, Mean = 24.55 [SD = 5.59] years; 66% female), the current study aimed to examine association between problematic smartphone use and different psychological outcomes. Participants completed measures of problematic smartphone use with Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS), mental health outcomes with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), in addition to some socio-demographics. Smartphone use was categorised into three groups: low-moderate, moderate-high, and high-severe. A total of 160 adults (24.4%) reported high-severe smartphone use. Multivariable linear regression analyses showed that smartphone use was inversely associated with psychological outcomes in a dose-dependent manner with high-severe smartphone uses having the most adverse effects. Compared to low-moderate use, average depression score was 3.5 points higher for moderate-high smartphone use (β = 3.51, 95% CI: 1.63–5.40) and 6.9 points higher for high-severe smartphone use (β = 6.91, 95% CI: 4.74–9.07). Similarly, average stress score was 3.4 points higher for moderate-high smartphone use (β = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.75–5.06) and 7.0 points higher for high-severe smartphone use (β = 7.02, 95% CI: 5.11–8.93). Similar association estimates were found for anxiety and sleep quality. Reducing smartphone use has the potential to optimise depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality; however, longitudinal research is warranted to establish directionality of the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the relationship between use of social media platforms and sleep quality in Australian adults. Data from 814 adults aged 18-59 years (65% female) were collected using an online survey. Participants reported socio-demographics, social media usages, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Two-thirds (68%) of participants reported poor sleep quality (overall PSQI score >5). Facebook (73%) and Facebook Messenger (70%) were the most used social media platforms, then Instagram (68%) and YouTube (63%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that Facebook Messenger users had 70% higher odds (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.20-2.41), while WhatsApp users had 38% lower odds (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.90) of reporting poor sleep quality compared to their non-user counterparts. Higher social media use was associated with poor sleep quality in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, participants using social media for >3.5 hrs/d, compared to using social media ≤2 hrs/d, had more than double the odds for reporting poor sleep quality (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.49-4.01 for using social media 3.5-5.0 hrs/d versus OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.77-4.41 for using social media >5.0 hrs/d). The findings underscore the need for more efficient ways to use social media platforms to optimise sleep quality. Implications for practitioner psychologists are discussed. What is already known about this topic: Higher social media use is associated with poorer sleep quality in adolescents. One in two Australian adults report sleep problems. There is scant research about the link between social media and sleep in adults. What does this topic add: Australian adults use social media on average 3.9 hrs/day. Using social media > 3.5 hours per day showed double the odds of adults reporting poor sleep quality than using social media ≤ 2 hours per day. Practitioners assisting Australian adults with poor sleep should consider social media use as a potential contributor, albeit more research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]