Association of Smartphone Use and Digital Addiction with Mental Health, Quality of Life, Motivation and Learning of Medical Students: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Background: Despite studies evaluating the insertion of technology and the use of smartphones in the mental health and learning of medical students, few have investigated these outcomes longitudinally. This study aims to investigate the association between smartphone use and digital addiction with mental health, quality of life, learning, and academic motivation of medical students. Methods: This is a longitudinal study conducted between 2016 and 2018. Socio-demographics, smartphone use, digital dependence (Internet Addiction Test), surface and deep learning approach (Biggs), motivation (Academic Motivation Scale), evaluation of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS- 21) and Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed. Adjusted regression models were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 269 students were included(51.4% of the total). In the two-year follow-up, despite an increase in the frequency of smartphone use in general and also in the classroom for non-educational activities, no increase in digital dependence was found. In the adjusted models, the frequency of smartphone use and digital dependence were predictors of lower academic motivation and greater surface learning after two years of follow up. However, only digital dependence was a predictor of worse mental health (anxiety, depression, and stress) and worse quality of life. Conclusion: Greater use of smartphones and high addiction scores were associated with worse educational outcomes. Digital dependence was another marker of outcomes in mental health and quality of life. It is important that educators are aware of these negative effects and can guide students on the proper and safe use of these devices.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE

All students who voluntarily agreed to participate signed a consent form.

ETHICS APPROVAL

The project was submitted and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University Hospital/UFJF (numbers 1.089.047/2015 and 2.742.787/2018).

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2022.2161258

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marise Machado de Oliveira

Marise Machado de Oliveira is Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and MSc student at the School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.

Giancarlo Lucchetti

Giancarlo Lucchetti is Associate Professor of Geriatrics in the Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.

Oscarina da Silva Ezequiel

Oscarina da Silva Ezequiel is Retired Full Professor, Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.

Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti

Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti is Associate Professor of Geriatrics in the Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.