Under war: The relationship between smartphone addiction, psychological security, and psychological loneliness among Yemeni university students

Although smartphone use has surged, no prior research has investigated its impact on Yemeni university students' psychological security and loneliness-a critical gap whose resolution would guide culturally sensitive mental-health and digital-well-being interventions for a population that has endured a decade of civil war. This study explored the relationship between smartphone addiction, psychological security, and psychological loneliness among Yemeni university students. Using a quantitative correlational design, the researchers randomly selected 1920 students-aged 18-35 years, 1136 males and 784 females. Data were gathered with three validated scales and analyzed using Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine psychological security, psychological loneliness, and smartphone addiction. The results revealed a negative relationship between loneliness and smartphone addiction. In contrast, the relationship was positive between psychological security and smartphone addiction, a finding inconsistent with the results of many previous studies. The results showed an inconsistent pattern of results regarding gender differences in psychological loneliness and psychological security. Possible explanations for the results, especially those that are not consistent with previous research, are offered. Based on the main findings, limitations and recommendations were provided.