The Relationship between Cellphone Usage on the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Muhammad Daniyal; Syed Fahad Javaid; Ali Hassan; Moien A B Khan

doi:10.3390/ijerph19159352

The Relationship between Cellphone Usage on the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 30;19(15):9352. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159352.

Authors

Muhammad Daniyal¹, Syed Fahad Javaid², Ali Hassan³, Moien A B Khan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Statistics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
² Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
³ Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
⁴ Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.

Abstract

(1) Background: The study aims to examine the use of cell phones on physical and mental health status and their impact on personality among university students. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The association of physical and mental health variables with the demographic variables was examined using Pearson's correlation and χ²-test. The binary logistic regression model was further used to predict the probabilities of negative impact on personality due to excessive use of cell phones. (3) Results: A total of 400 participants participated with a mean age of 24.45 ± 3.45 years. The average eye strain was more in High cell phone users HCPU than in LCPU and that difference was significant p = 0.000. The average neck pain was more in (HCPU) than Low cell phone users (LCPU) and there was a significant difference between the two groups with p = 0.006. The average weight gain was more in HCPU than LCPU and that difference was significant p = 0.000. Considering back pain, back pain was found more in HCPU as compared to LCPU with a statistical difference at p = 0.027. Cell phone usage significantly correlated with eye strain (r = 0.577, p = 0.000), neck pain (r = 0.543, p = 0.000), back pain (r = 0.611, p = 0.000), weight gain (r = 0.423, p = 0.000), depression (r = 0.430, p = 0.000), loneliness (r = -0.276, p = 0.002), and mood disorder (r = 0.608, p = 0.000). Eye strain, neck pain, and back pain was observed more in HCPU than in LCPU. HCPU felt they gained more weight when compared to the respondents in the LCPU group. HCPU felt more changes in mood and feeling low when compared to the LCPU, while LCPU group felt more lonelier when compared to the HCPU group. (4) Conclusions: The study highlights a significant association between excess use of cell phones and negative effects on physical and mental health wellbeing. Based on the results, it is recommended that more physical activities and alternative to minimize cell phone usage should be planned for the students. Public health policy makers and stakeholder need to address the ill effects of excessive use of cell phones through novel policies., especially young students, and alternatives to reduce their cell phone activities.

Keywords: Pakistan; cell phone addiction; mental health; physical health; youths.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cell Phone*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Mental Health
Neck Pain* / epidemiology
Neck Pain* / etiology
Students* / psychology
Universities
Weight Gain
Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.