Smartphone addiction and its association with stress, anxiety, and neck disability among university students: a cross-sectionalstudy

Abstract

Smartphone use has become an integral part of university students’ academic, social, and personal lives, however, excessive and problematic smartphone engagement has raised concerns regarding its potential psychological and musculoskeletal consequences. Continuous notifications, social networking, online learning, entertainment, and habitual checking behaviours may contribute to loss of control over smartphone use, increased psychological distress, reduced physical activity, and prolonged exposure to sustained cervical postures. These factors may be associated with stress, anxiety, neck pain, and limitations in daily activities among young adults. This illustrative cross-sectional study examines the association between smartphone addiction, stress, anxiety, and neck disability among 216 simulated university-student participants aged 18–30 years. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SASSV), psychological distress was evaluated using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS21), and functional limitations related to neck symptoms were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). A structured questionnaire was used to represent demographic characteristics, daily smartphone exposure, duration of continuous use, primary reasons for smartphone use, posturerelated habits, and physical activity. The simulated dataset demonstrated a mean SAS-SV score of 34.26 ± 9.18, mean stress score of 13.64 ± 5.98, mean anxiety score of 11.57 ± 6.38, and mean NDI score of 11.83 ± 4.50. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated positive associations between smartphone addiction and stress (r = 0.319, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.338, p < 0.001), and neck disability (r = 0.576, p < 0.001). Stress and anxiety were also positively associated with neck disability. In adjusted regression models, SAS-SV scores remained associated with stress, anxiety, and neck disability, while daily smartphone-use duration was independently associated with NDI scores. These numerical findings are generated from synthetic data and do not represent observations from real students. The illustrative analysis demonstrates how problematic smartphone use may be investigated through an integrated behavioural, psychological, and musculoskeletal framework. A comprehensive preventive approach may incorporate digitalwellness education, ergonomic modification, postural variation, cervical muscle conditioning, physical activity promotion, and appropriate psychological support.