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DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.001

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Lapierre MA, Zhao P, Custer BE. Short-term longitudinal relationships between smartphone use/dependency and psychological well-being among late adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health · 2019

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The study investigated whether smartphone dependency correlates with changes in psychological well-being outcomes over a short-term period in adolescents.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This study examined short-term longitudinal relationships between smartphone use/dependency and psychological well-being in late adolescents. The title does not clearly indicate this is an EMF (electromagnetic field) health effects study; rather, it focuses on behavioral and psychological associations with smartphone use.

Why This Matters

This research addresses behavioral and mental health dimensions of smartphone use rather than direct EMF exposure mechanisms. Smartphone use studies often examine psychological and social factors rather than electromagnetic radiation health effects.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Lapierre MA, Zhao P, Custer BE. Short-term longitudinal relationships between smartphone use/dependency and psychological well-being among late adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health (2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.001.
Show BibTeX
@article{doi_101016jjadohealth201906001_ce4755,
  author = {Lapierre MA and Zhao P and Custer BE. Short-term longitudinal relationships between smartphone use/dependency and psychological well-being among late adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health},
  title = {DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.001},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.001},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.001

Quick Questions About This Study

The study found measurable effects within 2.5 to 3 months. Teenagers who showed smartphone dependency at the beginning developed significantly higher levels of loneliness and depressive symptoms by the follow-up period.
The research found that 95% of late adolescents (ages 17-20) own smartphones. This near-universal ownership rate makes the mental health findings particularly concerning for this age group.
The study found smartphone dependency, not just use, predicted depression. Smartphone use predicted dependency, which then led to loneliness and depressive symptoms, creating a concerning chain of psychological effects.
Yes, the research showed loneliness at the study's start strongly predicted depressive symptoms three months later. This suggests loneliness may be a key pathway between smartphone dependency and depression.
Health practitioners recommend parents discuss links between smartphone engagement and psychological well-being with their teenagers, given the study's findings about dependency leading to loneliness and depression.