Association between mobile phone use and inattention in 7102 Chinese adolescents: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe dramatic growth of mobile phone (MP) use among young people has increased interest in its possible health hazards in this age group. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between MP use and inattention in adolescents.MethodsA total of 7720 middle school students were involved in this cross-sectional study. Inattention was assessed as defined for the Attention Deficit component of Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev. [DSM-IV-TR]). The demographic characteristics and information on MP use were included in the questionnaire. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data.ResultsIn total, 7102 (91.99%) valid questionnaires were obtained. After adjusted for confounders, inattention in adolescents was significantly associated with MP ownership, the time spent on entertainment on MP per day, the position of the MP during the day and the mode of the MP at night. The strongest association between inattention and the time spent on the MP was among students who spent more than 60 minutes per day playing on their MP.ConclusionsOur study shows some associations between MP use and inattention in Chinese adolescents. Decreasing MP usage to less than 60 minutes per day may help adolescents to stay focused and centered.

Mobile phone use, behavioural problems and concentration capacity in adolescents: A prospective study

“…The cross-sectional associations for self-reported duration of gaming and data traffic on the mobile phone are in line with the findings of Byun et al (2013) and Zheng et al (2014) of ADHD symptoms being related to mobile phone use for gaming (Byun et al 2013) and of inattention to time spent on the mobile phone for entertainment (Zheng et al 2014). For these cross-sectional analyses reverse causality is of concern.…”

“…Korean children (Byun et al 2013) or inattention in 7,102 Chinese adolescents (Zheng et al 2014). But interestingly, they found mobile phone use for playing games (Byun et al 2013) and the time spent on the mobile phone for entertainment (Zheng et al 2014) being associated with ADHD symptoms and inattention, respectively.…”

“…In Chinese adolescents, the prevalence of inattention was reported to be as high as 70% (Zheng et al 2014).…”

“…But interestingly, they found mobile phone use for playing games (Byun et al 2013) and the time spent on the mobile phone for entertainment (Zheng et al 2014) being associated with ADHD symptoms and inattention, respectively. However, all these studies were of crosssectional design and prospective studies are still missing.…”

Problematic mobile phone use of Swiss adolescents: is it linked with mental health or behaviour?

“…Previous studies found hyperactivity and ADHD associated with problematic internet use (Kaess et al 2014;Ko et al 2012;Kormas et al 2011;Ozturk et al 2013) and using the mobile phone for entertainment (playing games, internet) (Byun et al 2013b;Zheng et al 2014). Hyperactive adolescents are easily distracted, show problems in sustaining attention and are less capable of impulse control (Douglas 1972).…”