Correlates of Problematic Mobile Phone Use among Korean College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore correlates of problematic mobile phone use among Korean college students. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted. A sample size of 122 male and 106 female students residing in Jeollaman-do province completed the instruments of problematic mobile phone use, depressive symptoms, anxiety, interpersonal relationship, and alcohol drinking. Data was analyzed by multiple logistic regressions. Approximately 17% of college students reported problematic mobile phone use, and female (25%) were more likely to report problematic mobile phone use compared with male (9%). Depressive symptoms, interpersonal relationship, alcohol use, and female were significantly associated with problematic mobile phone use after controlling for other covariates. We call for special effort on early detection and monitoring of problematic mobile phone use among college students. In addition, specific strategies focused on psychological approach for problematic mobile phone use should be developed. (Korean J Str Res 2016;24:13∼22)