PROBLEMATIC SMARTPHONE USE AND COGNITIVE FAILURES. AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY AMONG FREE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS (X, Y, Z)

Abstract

The present study focuses on smartphone overuse and on problematic behaviors related to it, investigating possible differences at the intergenerational level among the variables considered. Through the administration of self-report questionnaires, the perception of smartphone distraction, smartphone problematic use, phubbing, and cognitive failures were surveyed. Two hundred and twenty subjects took part in the research. The participants, aged between 18 and 57, were divided by generation Z, Y and Z, according to Ristiyono, classification (2022). Data analysis was carried out through the application of Spearman's rho was used to analyze correlations between subscales. The Kruskal-Wallis test was invectively used to analyze differences between participants. The results confirm our hypotheses showing positive correlations between perceptions of smartphone distraction, phubbing behavior, smartphone problematic use, and cognitive failures, and a significant difference was found between generations in perceptions of all variables considered. Generation Z (18-26 years) shows the highest scores in almost all subscales examined.