Psychological Consequences of Mobile Phone Dependence: A Detailed Literature Review

Abstract

The dependence of mobile phones became an important behavioral and mental health problem in the modern society. Smartphones have revolutionized the way people communicate and gain access to information, but overuse and misuse are now linked to psychological distress. This study combines the latest scientific knowledge on the dependence of mobile phones and mental health consequences. The study reviewed literature published from 2009 to 2022. The following databases were systematically searched with the keywords: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus: "mobile phone dependence," "smartphone addiction," "problematic smartphone use," "depression AND mobile phone," and "anxiety AND smartphone dependence. Research focused on mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological well-being of excessive smartphone users was considered. There are significant positive correlations shown between high mobile phone dependence and high levels of depression, anxiety and stress. The connections between these and psychopathology are underpinned by several psychological processes, including dopamine reward sensitization, dysregulation of emotional responses, and fear of missing out (FOMO). There is a decrease in concentration, causing a corresponding decrease in academic and occupational performance, and an increase in procrastination. Social relationships suffer as the quality of face-to-face interaction decreases and so does the term "phubbing". Young adults are especially vulnerable because they are still developing, such as in the prefrontal cortex, and they have a heightened sensitivity to rewards.