Revisiting the link between problematic smartphone use and cognitive functioning: Subjective complaints without objective impairment.
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| Title: | Revisiting the link between problematic smartphone use and cognitive functioning: Subjective complaints without objective impairment. |
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| Authors: | Leśniak, Marcin Maciej (AUTHOR), Polanowska, Katarzyna (AUTHOR), Malinowska, Ewa (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology. Jun2026, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p275-302. 28p. |
| Subjects: | Complaints & complaining, Psychological distress, Compulsive behavior, Emotion regulation, Computer multitasking, Cognition disorders, Cognitive ability, Young adults |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been linked to impaired cognitive functioning, yet evidence for objective deficits remains inconsistent, and the mechanisms underlying subjective complaints are unclear. This study examined whether PSU in young adults is associated with reduced cognitive efficiency and whether objective test results align with self-reported functioning. Relationships between PSU and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral characteristics were also explored. Methods: The cross-sectional mixed-method study included 326 university students. Phase 1 involved questionnaires assessing cognitive failures, stress, anxiety, mood, sleep, and everyday task engagement (flow), as well as smartphone use patterns and self-regulation strategies. In Phase 2, a subset of 50 low- and high-risk PSU participants completed interviews and cognitive tests measuring attention, working memory, set-shifting, inhibition, and multitasking. Results: Higher PSU was associated with more frequent cognitive complaints, emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and lower engagement, but not with objectively measured cognitive deficits. Only multitasking errors were more frequent in the high-risk group. High-PSU participants reported weaker self-regulation, greater distractibility, and maladaptive social media use. Discussion: Higher PSU risk was associated primarily with motivational and emotional difficulties rather than with objective cognitive decline. Future research on PSU should account for individual characteristics and social influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. 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 |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: pbh DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection An: 194589281 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Revisiting the link between problematic smartphone use and cognitive functioning: Subjective complaints without objective impairment. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leśniak%2C+Marcin+Maciej%22">Leśniak, Marcin Maciej</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Polanowska%2C+Katarzyna%22">Polanowska, Katarzyna</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Malinowska%2C+Ewa%22">Malinowska, Ewa</searchLink> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Social+%26+Clinical+Psychology%22">Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p275-302. 28p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Complaints+%26+complaining%22">Complaints & complaining</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+distress%22">Psychological distress</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compulsive+behavior%22">Compulsive behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotion+regulation%22">Emotion regulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+multitasking%22">Computer multitasking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognition+disorders%22">Cognition disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+ability%22">Cognitive ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Young+adults%22">Young adults</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Introduction: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been linked to impaired cognitive functioning, yet evidence for objective deficits remains inconsistent, and the mechanisms underlying subjective complaints are unclear. This study examined whether PSU in young adults is associated with reduced cognitive efficiency and whether objective test results align with self-reported functioning. Relationships between PSU and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral characteristics were also explored. Methods: The cross-sectional mixed-method study included 326 university students. Phase 1 involved questionnaires assessing cognitive failures, stress, anxiety, mood, sleep, and everyday task engagement (flow), as well as smartphone use patterns and self-regulation strategies. In Phase 2, a subset of 50 low- and high-risk PSU participants completed interviews and cognitive tests measuring attention, working memory, set-shifting, inhibition, and multitasking. Results: Higher PSU was associated with more frequent cognitive complaints, emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and lower engagement, but not with objectively measured cognitive deficits. Only multitasking errors were more frequent in the high-risk group. High-PSU participants reported weaker self-regulation, greater distractibility, and maladaptive social media use. Discussion: Higher PSU risk was associated primarily with motivational and emotional difficulties rather than with objective cognitive decline. Future research on PSU should account for individual characteristics and social influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. 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.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=194589281 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1521/jscp.2026.45.3.275 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 28 StartPage: 275 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Complaints & complaining Type: general – SubjectFull: Psychological distress Type: general – SubjectFull: Compulsive behavior Type: general – SubjectFull: Emotion regulation Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer multitasking Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognition disorders Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive ability Type: general – SubjectFull: Young adults Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Revisiting the link between problematic smartphone use and cognitive functioning: Subjective complaints without objective impairment. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Leśniak, Marcin Maciej – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Polanowska, Katarzyna – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Malinowska, Ewa IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 06 Text: Jun2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 07367236 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 45 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
