The Association Between Physical Health Consequences Of Smartphone Use And Subjective Well-Being in Early Adolescents

Abstract

Most research focuses on the emotional and social consequences of smartphone use among adolescents, and there is less evidence about how smartphone use affects the physical health of early adolescents. This study aims to examine and describe the physical health consequences associated with the extended duration of smartphone use in early adolescents and their association with subjective well-being. To address the aim of the study, data from the fourth wave of the longitudinal study (2021–2023) conducted within the project “Digital technology in the family: patterns of behaviour and effects on child development” (D.E.C.I.D.E.) are used. The sample for this paper comprises 204 early adolescents (58.3% girls). Adolescents provided self-assessments of the physical health consequences associated with the extended duration of their smartphone use, as well as their subjective well-being, measured through life satisfaction and both positive and negative affect. The results show four categories of the physical health consequences associated with the extended duration of smartphone use among early adolescents: a) sleep problems and tiredness, b) physical passivity, c) pain in the head, neck, and back, and d) problems with the eyes and pain related to the hands . A higher frequency of different physical health consequences is related to lower life satisfaction, less positive affect, and more negative affect. Duration of smartphone use and physical passivity were significant predictors of life satisfaction. Duration of smartphone use and sleep problems and tiredness were significant predictors of negative affect. Physical health consequences of smartphone use did not significantly contribute to positive affect. The findings of the study suggest that smartphone use may have negative effects on the physical health and well-being of early adolescents, and that timebased measures alone should be complemented by an examination of adolescents’ subjective experiences of digital engagement.