Smartphone/Internet Dependence and Mental Health: the Moderating Role of Social Support

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationships between smartphone and Internet addiction and mental health, and to assess how social support moderates these relationships. Participated 212 college students between the ages of 18 and 55, who answered the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, Smartphone Dependence Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale. Correlation and moderation analyzes were performed using SPSS software. Results indicated positive associations between smartphone and Internet addiction and the factors of the General Health Questionnaire. It was also found that the level of social support moderated the relationship between smartphone addiction and severe depression, and that social support from friends moderated the relationship between compulsive Internet use and severe depression. This study contributes to the understanding of the need for social support for adolescents who overuse smartphones and the Internet to avoid severe mental health problems.