July 29, 2024
SINGAPORE – Nearly half of Singaporean youth between the ages of 15 and 21 have “problematic smartphone use”, according to new research, which also suggests that such behaviour is linked to poorer mental health.
Researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) who conducted the study define problematic smartphone use in terms of dependence and time spent on such devices, as well as the problems caused.
This could involve whether users feel impatient or fretful without their devices and constantly think about them. Problems include physical discomfort – pain in the wrists or back of the neck from prolonged use of smartphones – or if users miss work or are unable to concentrate during lessons due to smartphone use.
The local study, funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health, found that affected individuals were at least three times more likely than those without problematic smartphone use to have symptoms of moderate or severe depression, anxiety and insomnia.
This is the first nationwide study to examine the extent of problematic smartphone use among Singaporeans between the ages of 15 and 65, and its association with mental health issues. It has been published in the August issue of the Asian Journal Of Psychiatry.
The study found that among Singaporeans aged between 15 and 21, 46.4 per cent were found to have problematic smartphone use behaviour. The figure was 30.2 per cent – about one in three – for those aged between 15 and 65.
Researchers said that this is not unusual, as those belonging to the youngest age group are most likely to experience such behaviour.
“Older adults tend to regulate their emotions in other ways, like engaging in physical activities or communicating directly with others, unlike youth, who tend to reach for their smartphones,” said Dr Mythily Subramaniam, assistant chairman of IMH’s medical board for research, who led the study.
She added that youth are more dependent on smartphones for socialisation purposes, and generally have lower self-control.
Data from the study was obtained from a larger population survey, Health and Lifestyle Survey, which sought to discover the extent of behavioural and substance addictions among Singapore residents.
There were 6,509 participants in the study, which was conducted over 15 months, from April 2021 to July 2022.
Participants were assessed using various questionnaires to measure the extent of smartphone addiction, psychological distress, anxiety, sleep disorder and positive mental health.
Questions were presented through an online survey, where participants were asked to indicate to what extent they agreed or disagreed with statements pertaining to their use of cellphones.
Dr Mythily told The Straits Times that the findings provide insights into coexisting mental health conditions among those with problematic smartphone use, which is useful for practitioners.
She said: “With this study, if a young person presents a mental health condition like anxiety, depression or insomnia, practitioners can see whether it is linked to problematic smartphone use and suggest ways to regulate it.”
The rise in youth mental health problems has been more pronounced since the introduction of smartphones, said Dr Mythily.
“It’s just the ease of access. It’s the internet in your pocket, literally.”
Though similar studies in other countries show similar rates of problematic smartphone usage, she said, participants in those studies were usually of a more specific group and age, like medical students, for example.
The IMH study consisted of people from diverse walks of life and a much broader age range.
“This data is important for two reasons. The sample is not just large, it is also representative of the Singapore resident population,” said Dr Mythily.
That said, she acknowledged that the study was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, and people might have been using their phones more for communication purposes.
“I don’t think these figures are inflated… It would be interesting to see whether it decreases, at least to some extent, now that the pandemic is over.”
According to the Infocomm Media Development Authority, 97 per cent of local residents aged 18 and above own a smartphone. The number of smartphone users in Singapore was about 5.57 million in 2022.
The IMH study also found that problematic smartphone use was associated with moderate and severe insomnia.
This is in line with other international studies which have found that when smartphones were used in bed before sleep, individuals had less sleep, said the researchers.
Given the association with symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia, they said it is not surprising that problematic smartphone use was linked to lower positive mental health, as reported by the respondents in the local study.
Said Dr Mythily: “Positive mental health such as making friends with people easily or feeling calm, all that is less likely to happen when you’re having symptoms of depression and anxiety.”
She added that further studies are needed to understand the association between problematic smartphone use and adverse health outcomes.
“Excessive smartphone use doesn’t start in one day. It’s going to happen over a period of time. So if you can assess people over a period of time, you can actually see what comes first.”
IMH researchers also feel that the study shows the importance of studying the effects of problematic smartphone usage in older people.
Although older adults typically can regulate their emotions better, Dr Mythily said, they are no longer technophobic and are using smartphones more frequently.
“Besides, younger people will get older eventually, so it is important to pay attention to how this impacts the older generation as well,” she said.
Questions in the study
Participants were asked to rate to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the following 10 statements pertaining to handphone usage.
Problems
- Missing planned work due to smartphone use
- Having a hard time concentrating in class, while doing assignments, or while working due to smartphone use
- Feeling pain in the wrists or at the back of the neck while using a smartphone
Dependence
- Won’t be able to stand not having a smartphone
- Feeling impatient and fretful when I am not holding a smartphone
- Having my smartphone on my mind even when I am not using it
- I will never give up using my smartphone, even when my daily life is already greatly affected by it
- Constantly checking my smartphone so as not to miss conversations between other people on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
Time spent
- Using my smartphone longer than I had intended
- The people around me tell me that I use my smartphone too much