The relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use has become a global health problem. The objective of this work is to examine the relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness using meta-analytic techniques. A bibliographic search was carried out using the Web of Science, Scopus and PsycInfo databases, recovering a total of 26 articles that met the inclusion criteria (n = 25,026). The effect size obtained using a random effects model is significative and positive (Zr = 0.22). The meta-regression analysis showed that sex and age are not statistically significative moderating variables. The presence of publication bias is not appreciated. Those subjects who show higher levels of problematic smartphone use also have higher feelings of loneliness. The limitations of the work are presented and their implications are discussed.