Association between smartphone addiction, chronotype, emotional regulation, and physical activity among medical undergraduates – A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Smartphones play an indispensable role in our day-to-day activities. Addiction to smartphones is being increasingly reported, especially among young medical undergraduates. Individuals with eveningness chronotype and lower emotional intelligence are associated with increased smartphone use and academic decline. Physical activity is limited in those with increased smartphone use and eveningness chronotype. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its relationship with chronotypes, emotional regulation, and physical activity levels among medical undergraduates. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out among undergraduate medical students. Smartphone addiction was ascertained by Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV), chronotype was assessed using Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (RMEQ), emotional regulation was assessed using emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ), and physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: A total of 162 medical undergraduates were recruited for the study. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was found to be 52.5%. The students with evening chronotypes had a higher prevalence of smartphone addiction (c2 =14.888; p <0.001). The students with smartphone addiction were found to have reduced levels of physical activity (U=2212.5; p <0.001). Further, increased severity of smartphone addiction was associated with eveningness chronotype (r=-0.247, p =0.002) and lower physical activity (r=-0.151, p =0.05). However, no statistically significant association could be made out between emotional regulation of the participants to smartphone addiction, chronotype or physical activity levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students was 52.5%. Individuals with smartphone addiction belonged to the eveningness chronotype and had lower physical activity levels.