TR
EN
Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?
Öz
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.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Destekleyen Kurum
TÜBİTAK | Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu
Proje Numarası
1919B012328076
Etik Beyan
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.
Teşekkür
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.
Kaynakça
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- 3. Walsh SP, White KM, Young RM. Needing to connect: The effect of self and others on young people's involvement with their mobile phones. Australian Journal of Psychology, 2010; 62(4): 194-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530903567229
- 4. Sparrow B, Liu J, Wegner DM. Google effects on memory: Cognitive consequences of having information at our fingertips. Science, 2011; 333(6043): 776-778. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1207745
- 5. Toda M, Ezoe S, Takeshita T. Mobile phone use and stress-coping strategies of medical students. International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning, 2014; 4(4): 41-46. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijcbpl.2014100104
- 6. Bianchi A, Phillips JG. Psychological predictors of problem mobile phone use. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 2005; 8(1): 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2005.8.39
- 7. Lee H, Ahn H, Choi S, Choi W. The SAMS: Smartphone addiction management system and verification. Journal of Medical Systems, 2014; 38(1): 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-013-0001-1
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Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Spor ve Rekreasyon
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yayımlanma Tarihi
30 Nisan 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
11 Temmuz 2025
Kabul Tarihi
28 Nisan 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 28 Sayı: 1
APA
Mavibaş, M., & Fırat, N. (2026). Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students? Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 28(1), 198-210. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1740129
AMA
1.Mavibaş M, Fırat N. Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students? Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise. 2026;28(1):198-210. doi:10.15314/tsed.1740129
Chicago
Mavibaş, Muhammet, ve Nurullah Fırat. 2026. “Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28 (1): 198-210. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1740129.
EndNote
Mavibaş M, Fırat N (01 Nisan 2026) Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students? Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28 1 198–210.
IEEE
[1]M. Mavibaş ve N. Fırat, “Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?”, Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, c. 28, sy 1, ss. 198–210, Nis. 2026, doi: 10.15314/tsed.1740129.
ISNAD
Mavibaş, Muhammet - Fırat, Nurullah. “Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 28/1 (01 Nisan 2026): 198-210. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1740129.
JAMA
1.Mavibaş M, Fırat N. Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students? Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise. 2026;28:198–210.
MLA
Mavibaş, Muhammet, ve Nurullah Fırat. “Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, c. 28, sy 1, Nisan 2026, ss. 198-10, doi:10.15314/tsed.1740129.
Vancouver
1.Muhammet Mavibaş, Nurullah Fırat. Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students? Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise. 01 Nisan 2026;28(1):198-210. doi:10.15314/tsed.1740129
Türk Spor ve Egzersiz Dergisi (TJSE)