| Author: | Kwok, Wai Hang |
| Title: | Smart device addiction, impulsiveness and social anxiety of Hong Kong adolescents, their smart device use, and physical and psychosocial health impacts |
| Advisors: | Lee, Regina (SN) Lee, Paul (SN) |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Subject: | Adolescent psychology -- China -- Hong Kong. Teenagers -- Health and hygiene. Smartphones -- Social aspects -- China -- Hong Kong. Internet -- Social aspects -- China -- Hong Kong. Computers -- Social aspects -- China -- Hong Kong. Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | School of Nursing |
| Pages: | 112 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Introduction: A majority of adolescents are smart device users. The excessive device use was found associated with health impacts. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smart device addiction and physical and psychosocial impacts of the use; the associations between patterns of smart device activities and purposes of the use and psychological problems; and the differences in patterns of smart device activities between adolescents who did and did not experience the impacts. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional survey. Subjects were adolescents recruited from three primary schools and two secondary schools in Kowloon and New Territories in Hong Kong. Patterns of smart device activities, purposes of smart device use and the impacts were measured. Psychological variables were measured by Chinese versions of Smart Devices Addiction Screening Scale for Student, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 for Adolescents and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. Results: The sample contained 505 male and 455 female aged 10-19 and studying grade 5-12. The prevalence of smart device addiction was 26% and the prevalence of sleep deprivation, eye discomfort, musculoskeletal discomfort, family conflict and cyberbullying victimization related to smart device use were 49%, 46%, 37%, 21% and 5% respectively. Watching TV/movie and gaming had stronger associations with smart device addiction, and with purpose of leisure than with purpose of academic study, compared with other smart device activities. Impulsiveness and smart device addiction had stronger associations with gaming, watching TV/movie and posting information. Fear of negative evaluation and purpose of study had stronger associations with messaging, browsing and posting. Social anxiety and distress and purpose of leisure had stronger associations with browsing and gaming. At least 25% of adolescents were at risk of different impacts related to smart device activities for more than one hour per day, browsing and gaming for more than four days per week and watching TV/movie and posting for more than two days per week. Conclusion: Patterns of smart device activities were significantly associated with different physical and psychosocial problems. Parents, health care professionals and schools should take measures to optimize smart device use among adolescents according to the patterns and the associated factors should be further explored. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b2925582x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 1.17 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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