Abstract:

Aim: This study is aimed at determining the effect of peer relationships on smartphone addiction among adolescents. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study’s population was composed of students in the high schools of the Directorate of National Education in the city center of Batman province. For the sample, three high schools (3000 students) were selected by using the method of drawing lots in terms of the student intensity from the Provincial Directorate for National Education. The sample size was calculated as 707 students based on the power analysis. In the study, “Introductory Information Form”, “Peer Relationship Scale”, and “Smartphone Addiction Scale” were used. The data collection process took place between May 2018 and June 2018. Percentage distribution, mean, independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis and regression analysis were employed to assess the data. Results: The participants’ total mean scores were 45.61±11.93 in Peer Relationship Scale and 28.93±12.61 in Smartphone Addiction Scale. Peer relationships of the adolescents influenced smartphone addiction at the rate of 38% (p˂0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations: It was concluded that peer relationships and smartphone addictions of the adolescents were moderate. Peer relationships of the adolescents affected smartphone addition. In the study, it is recommended to inform the students and to organize trainings by the psychiatric nurses to increase the peer relationships of adolescents and decrease their smartphone addiction.

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