The Prevalence of Excessive Mobile Phone Use and its Relation With Mental Health Status and Demographic Factors Among the Students of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2011 - 2012

Abstract

Background:The excessive mobile phones use is a common problem among students, so it is necessary to identify this phenomenon's relevant factors in each university for appropriate planning. Objectives: The study aim was to determine the prevalence of excessive mobile phone use and its relationship with mental health status and demographic factors on the students of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2011 -2012. Patients and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, all 700 students in the university were surveyed and completed demographic information form, GHQ-28, mobile phone addiction scale (MPAI). The data were analyzed in SPSS-18 software and by Chi-square test, student t-test and ANOVA were used at the significant level of P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of excessive mobile phone use was 36.7% on the students. There was a significant relation between the prevalence of excessive mobile phone use and mental health status in general (P > 0.05), and also somatization (P < 0.05), anxiety and depression specifically (P < 0.05), but no significant relation was found between the excessive mobile phone use and social dysfunction (P < 0.05), and also sex, age, marital status, settlement, and academic achievement (P < 0.05). But there was also a significant relation between education degree (in MSc and doctoral degree students) and the prevalence of excessive mobile phone (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to rather high prevalence of excessive use of mobile phone and existence of significant relation between the prevalence of excessive mobile phone use and mental health problems, it is recommended to improve their mental health status and acceptable social relationship instead of dependency on mobile phone use that can inreturn reduce the negative effects of excessive mobile phone use.Keywords: Mental Health; Cellular Phone; Prevalence; Students Implication for health policy makers/practice/research/medical education: To determine the rate prevalence rate of excessive use of mobile phone as addictive behavior is important especially in mental health planning. Obtained results from these studies and also to familiar with its related factors can be effected on improvement of mental health and academic achievement in students especially medical sciences students.

Virtual behaviors affecting adolescent mental health: The usage of Internet and mobile phone and cyberbullying

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“…Recently, the problematic use of mobile phones has attracted the attention of researchers and to some, is considered equivalent to drug addiction (Nikhita, Jadhav, & Ajinkya, ). Researchers have shown that the use of uncontrolled mobile phone is associated with loneliness (Tan, Pamuk, & Dönder, ), anxiety, depression (Tavakolizadeh et al, ), aggressive behaviors, insomnia, smoking, suicidality, and low self‐esteem (Yang, Yen, Ko, Cheng, & Yen, ). The present study supports these findings: the hostility subscale mean score of the adolescents who have their own mobile phones was found to be high, whereas the anxiety, depression, negative self‐esteem, somatization, and hostility mean scores were found to be high in adolescents using their mobile phones for social media.…”

Mobile ubiquity: Understanding the relationship between cognitive absorption, smartphone addiction and social network services

“…Evidence regarding the relationship between educational attainment and problematic cell phone usage is equivocal. While some studies point to a link between problematic cell phone usage and level of education (particularly among those undertaking extended periods of study) (Tavakolizadeh, Atarodi, Ahmadpour, Pourgheisar, 2014), others refute this (Billieux, 2012), and even report a link between low educational levels and problematic cell phone usage (Leung, 2007). Hence explanations that have been made concerning a link between problematic cell phone usage and educational attainment have not been particularly compelling.…”

Pattern of Mobile Phone Use among Students of An Institution

“…Mobile phone because of the ever availability and its mobility application has created a dramatic interest for youth in comparison with other communication technologies. 1 Initially, mobile phones were used only as a communication tool but these days, mobile phones function as mobile computers that serve us with music player, games, internet, video camera, calculator, alarm clock, and many more other perceived benefits as increased accessibility and social connectivity, reduced loneliness, and security in emergency situations. 2 Unfortunately, communication technology has some negative effects also.…”