Predicting problematic smartphone use over time in adolescence
a latent class regression analysis of online and offline activities
Additional information
Authors
Camerini A. L.,
Gerosa T.,
Marciano L.
Type
Journal Article
Year
2020
Language
English
Abstract
Despite today’s ubiquitous nature of smartphones among adolescents, little is known about behavioral online and offline longitudinal predictors of problematic smartphone use (PSU). Guided by Uses and Gratifications Theory, we applied latent class analysis on survey data collected in 2017 from a cohort of 1096 adolescents (Mage = 12.4, SDage = .56) and regressed PSU measured one year later on class membership, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, social desirability, and autoregressive effects. We extracted four distinct classes: social-recreational onliners (n=228), weekend onliners (n=331), balanced (n=404), and noninvolved (n=153). Characterised by significantly more time spent online for recreational and social networking activities, both during weekdays and weekend days, as well as less time for sleep, the social-recreational onliners class showed significantly higher levels of PSU over time. Future studies should assess not only duration but also the frequency of daily online activities to provide further insights on behavioral predictors of PSU.
Keywords
Problematic smartphone use, Adolescents;, Online and offline behavior, Latent class, Longitudinal
Journal
New Media & Society
Volume
23
Number ( Month )
11
Pages (or article number)
3229-3248
Diffusion
License
License undefined
Visibility
Public
Status open access
Green
