Latent Profiles of Nighttime‐Specific Smartphone Use and Smartphone Addiction Among Medical Students: Associations With Bedtime Procrastination and Sleep Disturbance

Objective: This study explored heterogeneity patterns of co‐occurrence between nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction as well as their relationships with bedtime procrastination and sleep disturbance. Methods: A total of 2052 medical students were asked to complete the questionnaires. Latent profile analysis was used to determine the potential profile of nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction. Results: Four unique profiles for nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction in medical students were identified: low, low‐moderate, moderate‐high, and high profile. Medical students in higher grades were prone to exhibit nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction. The results revealed that those with high levels of nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction reported severe bedtime procrastination and more sleep disturbance. Conclusions: The overlap and heterogeneity of nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction existed in medical students. Early identification of the patterns of nighttime‐specific smartphone use and smartphone addiction could be an effective strategy to prevent sleep problems.