Italian experts from the University of Messina found that active use of the smartphone is associated with poor self-control and low psychological health. The results were published in the journal International Journal of Environmental Studies and Public Health.
Researchers selected 111 volunteers aged 18-65. First, the scientists used special surveys to find out how actively participants used smartphones. They were then asked to limit use to one hour a day for three days. After that, they were allowed to use smartphones in normal mode for seven days.
At the beginning and end of the experiment, the researchers evaluated the participants’ working memory, attention, auditory and visual reaction rates, and other parameters. It turned out that more active users performed worse both before and after the experiment. They also failed to comply with the restrictions and used more smartphones than expected. They also had the lowest psychological well-being and the highest procrastination.
The authors noted that people who are addicted to smartphones have less self-control. This can negatively affect daily life by interfering with the performance of certain tasks. In addition, a low level of psychological well-being can further trigger mental disorders.
Some participants left the study when it was known that smartphone use should be restricted. This is why scientists believe that people with the highest levels of addiction may not have made it into the final sample. In the future, they plan to focus on exactly such people.