Problematic Smartphone Use, Depression, Loneliness, and Perceived Social Support: A Study of Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use is a contemporary issue that reduces individuals physical, emotional, and social functioning. Therefore, identifying factors related to problematic smartphone use is of significant importance. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and depression. Additionally, the moderating role of perceived social support in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness is also investigated. The sample of the study consisted of 404 participants aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 31.11, SD = 9.06), including 258 females (63.86%) and 146 males (36.14%) living in Türkiye. During the data collection process, the Demographic Information Form, Smartphone Addiction Short Form, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Beck Depression Scale Short Form were utilized. For data analysis, Model 4 and Model 7 of the PROCESS Macro were employed using the bootstrap method. The analysis results show that loneliness plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and depression. That is, individuals with a high level of problematic smartphone use reported more loneliness and a higher level of depression. In addition, the findings revealed that perceived social support significantly moderated the relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the relationship between problematic smartphone use and depression.

Keywords

• loneliness
• depression
• perceived social support
• problematic smartphone use

Problemli Akıllı Telefon Kullanımı, Depresyon, Yalnızlık ve Algılanan Sosyal Destek: Düzenlenmiş Aracılık Modeli Üzerine Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı, bireylerin fiziksel, duygusal ve sosyal işlevselliğini azaltan güncel bir problemdir. Bu nedenle problemli akıllı telefon kullanımının ilişkili olduğu faktörlerin belirlenmesi önem taşımaktadır. Mevcut araştırmanın amacı problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı ile depresyon arasındaki ilişkide yalnızlığın aracı rolünü incelemektir. Ayrıca problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı ile yalnızlık arasındaki ilişkide algılanan sosyal desteğin düzenleyici rolü de incelenecektir. Araştırmanın örneklemi Türkiye’de yaşayan 18-60 yaş aralığında (M = 31.11 yıl, SD = 9.06), 258’i (%63.86) kadın 146’sı (%36.14) erkek olmak üzere toplam 404 kişiden oluşmaktadır. Veri toplama sürecinde Demografik Bilgi Formu, Akıllı Telefon Bağımlılığı Kısa Formu, UCLA Yalnızlık Ölçeği, Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği ve Kısa Beck Depresyon Envantarinden faydalanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde bootstrap yöntemiyle PROCESS Makrosunda Model 4 ve Model 7 kullanılmıştır. Analiz sonuçları, yalnızlığın problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı ile depresyon arasındaki ilişkide kısmi aracı rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Yani, problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı düzeyi yüksek olan bireyler daha fazla yalnızlık ve daha yüksek depresyon düzeyi bildirmiştir. Ayrıca, bulgular algılanan sosyal desteğin problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı ile yalnızlık arasındaki ilişkiyi anlamlı biçimde düzenlediğini ortaya koymuştur. Mevcut araştırma, problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı ile depresyon arasındaki ilişkinin altında yatan mekanizmanın daha iyi anlaşılmasına katkı sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• yalnızlık
• depresyon
• algılanan sosyal destek
• problemli akıllı telefon kullanımı

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