Abstract:

Purpose: Smartphone addiction can cause many problems especially among university students. While this affects the sleep quality of the students negatively, it increases the levels of depression, anxiety and stress. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, stress and neck problems among university students. Methods: Total of 145 university students (92 females, 53 males) aged 19-30 (22.17±1.82 years) were included in this study. Students' smartphone addiction levels were evaluated with Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SF), sleep quality with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), depression, anxiety and stress levels with Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and neck problems with Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results: There was a weak positive relationship with the SAS-SF and PSQI (r=0.178, p=0.036), with the ESS (r=0.257, p=0.002), and with the depression (r=0.224, p=0.008), anxiety (r=0.239, p=0.005) and stress (r=0.297, p=0.001) parameters. There was no relationship between SAS-SF and NDI (r=0.075, p=0.377). A weak positive relationship between the PSQI and ESS (r=0.279, p=0.001). Conclusion: Smartphone addiction among university students was found to be associated with sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and stress levels. It is thought that controlling smartphone usage time by raising awareness about smartphone addiction among university students, will positively affect sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

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