An analysis of smartphone addiction among MBBS students

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Original Article

Author Details : Muktpal M Bhalerao, Bindu Krishnan*, Smita J Mokal, R G Latti

Volume : 7, Issue : 1, Year : 2020

Article Page : 1-7

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcap.2020.001

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Abstract

Introduction: Smartphones have become an integral part of our everyday life due to its varied and
advanced functionality and easy availability. The nearly universal availability of smartphones and the close
association of this with humans has led to various concerns about it becoming a part of behavioral addiction.
In this study, smartphone addiction was assessed by using the short version of smartphone addiction scale
(SAS-SV) and an attempt has been made to analyse the behavioral component associated with addiction.
Materials and Methods: Semi-structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic variables were
given to 200 students. SAS-SV scale was used to assess smartphone addiction among the study sample.
Results: Results showed 26.9% male and 28% of female participants were addicted to smartphones
according to SAS-SV scores. 43% male and 19% female participants spend > 5 hrs using smartphones per
day and 8% of female participants and 6.4% of males spend > 5 hrs on social media. Withdrawal, conflict,
tolerance and salience were the psychological features observed in our study sample.
Conclusions: In conclusion, smartphone addiction was found to be around 26.9% and 28% among the
male and female respondents by using the SAS-SV scale. In our study 8% of girls and 6.4% of boys agreed
that they spend more than 5 hours on social media every day. Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook were the
commonly used social media sites used by them. The findings in our study did correlate with Brown’s well
established framework for behavioral addiction especially behavior like withdrawal, conflict, tolerance and
salience.

Keywords: Smartphone, SAS-SV Scale, Behavioral addiction, Social media, Nomophobia.

How to cite : Bhalerao M M, Krishnan B, Mokal S J, Latti R G, An analysis of smartphone addiction among MBBS students. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2020;7(1):1-7

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