Investigation of the Relationship Between Working Memory, Smartphone Addiction and Mental Fatigue in University Students

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between working memory (WM), smartphone addiction and mental fatigue in physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. Materials and Methods: Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and mental fatigue was assessed using the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). WM was assessed using the Working Memory Questionnaire (WMQ). Results: The study included 120 students with a mean age of 21.49±1.40 years. A statistically significant moderately positive relationship was found between the students’ WMQ and SAS-SV scores (p<0.001, r=0.423). There was a statistically significant moderately positive relationship between their WMQ and MFS scores (p<0.001, r=0.559). There was no significant difference in the students’ WMQ, SAS-SV, and MFS scores according to their grades (p>0.05). Conclusion: Smartphone addiction and mental fatigue negatively affect WM in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students. To improve WM, which is important for learning information, further studies are needed to reduce smartphone addiction.

Keywords

• mental fatigue
• smartphone addiction
• working memory

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