Evaluation of problematic cell phone use, smartphone addiction, and internet addiction among students of Gazi University

Aim We aimed to estimate probable smartphone addiction prevalence among Gazi University undergraduates, examine its relationship with problematic cell phone use and internet addiction, and identify associated sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 2,482 undergraduates at Gazi University during the 2015–2016 academic year using a sociodemographic form, the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Form (SAS-SF), the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ), and the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). Analyses used Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 2,418 students with complete SAS-SF scores, probable smartphone addiction prevalence was 32.2% using the cut-offs (≥31 for males, ≥33 for females); the crude rate was higher among female students (36.3%) than male students (27.1%; P < .001), but sex was no longer independent after adjustment. SAS-SF correlated strongly with PMPUQ (r = 0.682, P < .001) and weakly with IAS (r = 0.229, P < .001). In multivariable logistic regression, maternal middle school education (OR=1.47), monthly household income of 3,000–5,000 TL (OR=1.75), each additional hour of daily smartphone use (OR=1.13), each additional hour of weekly internet use (OR=1.01), and having a social networking account (OR=2.50) were independently associated with higher odds of probable smartphone addiction. Pet ownership (OR=0.45) and computer-based internet access (OR=0.43) were associated with lower odds. Conclusion Probable smartphone addiction represents a relevant public health concern among university students. The inverse association with pet ownership is a less-explored finding that warrants confirmation in future studies.