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An exploration of motives that influence problematic smartphone use in young adults.

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Title: An exploration of motives that influence problematic smartphone use in young adults.
Authors: Mostyn Sullivan, Beau, George, Amanda M., Rickwood, Debra
Source: Behaviour & Information Technology. Jun2025, Vol. 44 Issue 9, p1886-1900. 15p.
Subjects: Internet addiction, Safety, Smartphones, Internet addiction in adolescence, Qualitative research, Risk-taking behavior, Screen time, Psychological adaptation, Social norms, Loneliness, Motivation (Psychology), Thematic analysis, Adolescence, Adults
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is particularly prevalent among young people and refers to uncontrolled smartphone use that results in harm or functional impairment. The pathway model asserts that there are distinct patterns of PSU (addictive, antisocial, and risky smartphone use). Motives may be key factors in the aetiology of PSU. However, most of the research investigating which motives influence PSU has measured smartphone use motives by adapting items designed to assess motives for other forms of media. This approach is a limitation, as it may miss motives unique to the context of smartphone use. Addressing this, the present study used a qualitative approach to investigate which motives may influence distinct patterns of PSU. Reflexive thematic analysis of focus group data (N = 25 participants aged 18–25 years) indicated that smartphone use to cope with discomfort (low mood and anxiety, social awkwardness, boredom, safety), obtain rewards (validation, pleasure), conform to perceived social norms, and for their instrumental value differentially motivated addictive, antisocial, and risky patterns of PSU. Some of these motives (social awkwardness, feel safe, and conform) are not well represented by current measures of smartphone use motives. Therefore, a new comprehensive measure of smartphone use motives may be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Behaviour & Information Technology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is particularly prevalent among young people and refers to uncontrolled smartphone use that results in harm or functional impairment. The pathway model asserts that there are distinct patterns of PSU (addictive, antisocial, and risky smartphone use). Motives may be key factors in the aetiology of PSU. However, most of the research investigating which motives influence PSU has measured smartphone use motives by adapting items designed to assess motives for other forms of media. This approach is a limitation, as it may miss motives unique to the context of smartphone use. Addressing this, the present study used a qualitative approach to investigate which motives may influence distinct patterns of PSU. Reflexive thematic analysis of focus group data (N = 25 participants aged 18–25 years) indicated that smartphone use to cope with discomfort (low mood and anxiety, social awkwardness, boredom, safety), obtain rewards (validation, pleasure), conform to perceived social norms, and for their instrumental value differentially motivated addictive, antisocial, and risky patterns of PSU. Some of these motives (social awkwardness, feel safe, and conform) are not well represented by current measures of smartphone use motives. Therefore, a new comprehensive measure of smartphone use motives may be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Behaviour & Information Technology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/0144929X.2024.2380102
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 1886
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Internet addiction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Safety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Smartphones
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Internet addiction in adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Risk-taking behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Screen time
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological adaptation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social norms
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Loneliness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Motivation (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Australia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: An exploration of motives that influence problematic smartphone use in young adults.
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 44
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