How is the Problematic Smartphone Use Affected by Social Support? A Research Model Supported by the Mediation of Ikigai

Overview

Journal Curr Psychol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Psychology

Date 2023 Feb 27

PMID 36845209

Authors

Orcun Muhammet Simsek

Aysel Basmaci Kaya

Orhan Cevik

Orhan Kocak

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Social support and ikigai (making life worthwhile) have positive effects on problematic smartphone use and are seen to be related to each other. However, what mediates these relationships has not been adequately analyzed. This study aims to examine how the effect between social support and problematic smartphone use occurs by suggesting the mediator role of ikigai. The study was designed as quantitative and cross-sectional, and 1189 university participants aged 18 and over were reached online. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support, ikigai-9 scale, smartphone application-based addiction scale and sociodemographic information form were used as data collection tools in the study. The data obtained were carried out using SPSS 24 and Amos 25 statistical programs. Established hypotheses were tested with correlation, multiple regression and mediation analyzes. The results confirmed that social support was positively associated with ikigai, and ikigai was negatively associated with problematic smartphone use. In addition, interaction analyzes found that ikigai had a mediating effect. These findings show the importance of implementing specific applications based on the meaning and purpose of life (ikigai), especially for vulnerable groups, to minimize the problems that may arise with the excessive use of smartphones.

Citing Articles

The relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality in older adults: the mediating role of loneliness and depression.

Lai H, Mei X, Huang S, Wu X, Liang J, Zhou L BMC Nurs. 2025; 24(1):253.

PMID: 40050901 PMC: 11884112. DOI: 10.1186/s12912-025-02883-7.

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