Longitudinal Effects of Excessive Smartphone Use on Stress and Loneliness
- Author(s)
- Jörg Matthes, Desiree Schmuck, Anja Stevic
- Abstract
The present study investigates how excessive smartphone use predicts users' stress and loneliness while taking the moderating role of online self-disclosure into account. We conducted a two-wave panel survey with a quota sample of smartphone users (n = 461 at time 2 [T2]). We found no direct effects of excessive smartphone use on stress or loneliness. However, our results showed that online self-disclosure moderates the postulated relationships. That is, excessive smartphone use (time 1 [T1]) predicts increased stress (T2), for those smartphone users who do engage in little online self-disclosure. However, for those who communicate their feelings, anxieties, and problems online, excessive smartphone use (T1) can even reduce loneliness (T2) and relieve stress (T2).
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Communication
- Pages
- 706-713
- No. of pages
- 8
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0255
- Publication date
- 11-2019
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 508007 Communication science, 508014 Journalism
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication, Social Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Applied Psychology, Computer Science Applications
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/cb2ddb64-ef21-439d-84a2-bcb385bb959a