Smartphone addiction in adolescents after the COVID-19 pandemic

Becerra-Canales B.; Hernández-Huaripaucar E.; Becerra-Huamán D.; Laos-Anchante C.; Dávalos-Almeyda M.; Cevallos-Cárdenas M.J.; Del Rio-Mendoza J. · Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar (2023)

Resumen

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it changes in human behavior and psychic conditions that affect mental health. Objective: Estimate smartphone addiction in female adolescents after COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study, conducted during November to December 2022, in a public educational institution in Ica, Peru. A total of 581 adolescents participated and answered a questionnaire with general variables and the Smartphone Addiction Scale. A descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis was applied using Poisson family generalized linear models to evaluate the association between variables. Results: Of the participants, 21.7% revealed addiction to smartphones and 48.7% were at high risk of dependence on these devices. Family conflicts at home (adjusted prevalence ratio-RPa = 1.41; 95% confidence interval-CI: 1.00-1.99) and feelings of shame (RPa = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.01-2.03), were associated with higher smartphone addiction. However, feelings of sadness, anxiety or depression and feeling rejected by society showed an unadjusted association. Conclusions: Smartphone addiction and risk for this disorder is high in adolescent girls; there are general variables amenable to modification that could diminish such a behavioral condition induced or potentiated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga