Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Mobil Cihaz Bağımlılığı Beyin Sisine Neden Olabilir Mi?

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın temel hedefi, üniversite öğrencileri arasında mobil cihaz bağımlılığı ile beyin sisi (zihinsel bulanıklık) arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmak ve mobil cihaz kullanım düzeyinin beyin sisi üzerindeki etkileyici rolünü belirlemektir. Araştırmada ilişkisel tarama modeli tercih edilmiştir. 2024-2025 eğitim-öğretim yılında Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi'nde öğrenim gören lisans öğrencileri çalışma evrenini oluşturmuştur. Basit rastgele örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen ve araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden 421 öğrenci örnekleme dahil edilmiştir. Veri toplama sürecinde Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Fidan (25) tarafından geliştirilen Mobil Bağımlılık Ölçeği ve Atik & Manav (26) tarafından geliştirilen Beyin Sisi Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 25.0 programı aracılığıyla analiz edilmiş; tanımlayıcı istatistiklerin yanı sıra t-testi, tek yönlü ANOVA ve çoklu regresyon analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları, mobil bağımlılık düzeyinin beyin sisi düzeyini anlamlı biçimde öngördüğünü göstermiştir (β=0,486; p<0,001). Özellikle mobil bağımlılığın belirginlik, çatışma ve tekrarlama alt boyutlarının beyin sisi üzerinde anlamlı etkileri olduğu belirlenmiştir (R²=0,258). Kadın öğrencilerde mobil bağımlılık ve beyin sisi düzeyleri, erkek öğrencilere kıyasla daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Ayrıca mobil cihazlarını video, film veya müzik izlemek için kullanan öğrencilerin beyin sisi düzeyleri, cihazlarını iletişim için kullananlara göre daha yüksektir. Günlük mobil cihaz kullanım süresi arttıkça hem mobil bağımlılık hem de beyin sisi düzeylerinin yükseldiği görülmüştür. Araştırma, üniversite öğrencilerinde mobil cihaz bağımlılığı ile beyin sisi arasında anlamlı ve pozitif bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu ilişki özellikle mobil kullanım farkındalığı, içsel çatışmalar ve tekrarlayıcı kullanım davranışlarıyla açıklanabilir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, dijital farkındalık eğitimlerinin, öz-düzenleme tekniklerinin ve dijital detoks uygulamalarının üniversite öğrencileri için ne kadar önemli olduğunu vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Mobil Bağımlılık
• Beyin Sisi
• Üniversite Öğrencileri
• Davranışsal Bağımlılık
• Dijital Sağlık

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK | Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu

Project Number

1919B012328076

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (Toplantı No: 04, Tarih: 04.04.2024, Karar No: 25). Araştırma sürecinde katılım gönüllülük esasına dayalı olmuş, kişisel verilerin gizliliği korunmuş ve akademik etik ilkelere sıkı sıkıya bağlı kalınmıştır.

Thanks

Bu araştırma, Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK) tarafından 2209-A Üniversite Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri Destek Programı kapsamında desteklenmiştir (Proje No: 1919B012328076). TÜBİTAK’a maddi ve bilimsel destekleri için içten teşekkürlerimizi sunarız.

Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between mobile device addiction and brain fog (mental clouding) among university students and to determine the predictive role of mobile device usage levels on brain fog. A relational survey model was employed in the study. The population consisted of undergraduate students enrolled at Erzurum Technical University during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 421 students were selected through simple random sampling and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Mobile Addiction Scale developed by Fidan (25), and the Brain Fog Scale developed by Atik and Manav (26). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, and descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Analysis results indicated that the level of mobile addiction significantly predicted the level of brain fog (β = 0.486; p < .001). In particular, the subdimensions of mobile addiction—salience, conflict, and relapse—were found to have significant effects on brain fog (R² = 0.258). Female students reported higher levels of both mobile addiction and brain fog compared to male students. Moreover, students who primarily used their mobile devices for watching videos, movies, or listening to music showed higher levels of brain fog than those who used them mainly for communication purposes. Increased daily mobile device usage was associated with elevated levels of both mobile addiction and brain fog. The study revealed a significant and positive relationship between mobile device addiction and brain fog among university students. This relationship can be explained particularly by heightened digital salience, internal conflicts, and repetitive usage behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of digital awareness programs, self-regulation strategies, and digital detox interventions for university students.

Keywords

• Mobile Addiction
• Brain Fog
• University Students
• Behavioral Addiction
• Digital Health

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK | Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu

Project Number

1919B012328076

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Erzurum Technical University (Meeting No: 04, Date: 04.04.2024, Decision No: 25). Participation was voluntary throughout the research process, confidentiality of personal data was maintained, and academic ethical principles were strictly adhered to.

Thanks

This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program (Project No: 1919B012328076). We would like to extend our sincere thanks to TÜBİTAK for their financial and scientific support.

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