Use of cellphone devices and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador

Abstract

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, countries like Ecuador adopted mandatory lockdown measures, teleworking and remote education. During these periods, people resorted to the use of their mobile phones as well as other technological devices to get information, socialize and work. This study sought to identify the effects that the use of these devices, especially cellphones, had on people's levels of anxiety, depression and stress. We recruited a sample of 766 participants who responded to an online survey conducted during the first phase of the pandemic. The results suggest that people spent approximately 9.75 hours a day connected to technological devices, including their cellphones. We also found that the participants' level of psychological distress increases as the overall time and time spent on social networks increases. In addition, the problematic use of mobile phones, meaning the use of the cellphone to distract oneself from something uncomfortable or to express or seek affection predicted increases in participants' level of distress. In contrast, making purchases online and perceiving higher levels of control over their mobile phone use was associated with a decrease in psychological distress. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of the current state of the pandemic, the discovery of new variants of the coronavirus, and the existence of mandatory quarantines for those diagnosed with the virus.