Smartphone addiction, cyberloafing, stress and social support among university students: A path analysis

• Published in: Children and youth services review Vol. 91; pp. 47 - 54
• Main Authors: Gökçearslan, Şahin, Uluyol, Çelebi, Şahin, Sami
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Addictions; College students; Cyberloafing; Family income; Gender; Higher education; Income; Internet; Path analysis; Perceived social support; Questionnaires; Residence; Smartphone addiction; Smartphones; Social support; Stress; Undergraduate students; Cyberloafing; Smartphone addiction; Gender; Stress; Social support
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.05.036

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between smartphone addiction, cyberloafing, stress and social support. The research data were collected from 885 undergraduate students studying at a public university in Turkey using an online questionnaire. The relationship between the variables was tested by path analysis. The results of the research showed that class level, family income and place of residence had no significant effect on smartphone addiction, cyberloafing, stress and perceived social support. Smartphone addiction, stress and perceived social support differed significantly by gender. Stress has significant effect on cyberloafing and smartphone addiction, and cyberloafing has significant effect on smartphone addiction. Social support has a small but significant effect on cyberloafing, but it has no significant effect on stress. The results of the research are discussed with regard to higher education students and future studies. •Path analysis related to smartphone addiction, cyberloafing, stress and social support was performed.•Smartphone Addiction, stress and perceived social support differed significantly by gender.•Stress has significant effect on cyberloafing and smartphone addiction.•Cyberloafing has significant effect on smartphone addiction.•Social support has significant effect on cyberlofing, but it has no significant effect on stress.