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://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/longitudinal-effects-of-excessive-smartphone-use-on-stress-and-loneliness(cb2ddb64-ef21-439d-84a2-bcb385bb959a).html