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. 2024 Sep 28:17:3355-3367.
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S472299. eCollection 2024.

A Longitudinal Investigation on the Reciprocal Relationship of Problematic Smartphone Use with Bedtime Procrastination, Sleep Quality, and Mental Health Among University Students

Li Cemei  1 , Shyamkumar Sriram  2 , Ondřej Holý  3 , Shazia Rehman  4   5   6
Affiliations

A Longitudinal Investigation on the Reciprocal Relationship of Problematic Smartphone Use with Bedtime Procrastination, Sleep Quality, and Mental Health Among University Students

Li Cemei et al. Psychol Res Behav Manag. .

Abstract

Background: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is linked to various mental health issues, but the relationship between PSU, bedtime procrastination, and mental health symptoms is unclear. Sleep factors related to PSU and its mental health effects have been understudied. This study explores the longitudinal associations between PSU, bedtime procrastination, sleep quality, and mental health in university students.

Methods: In this study, a total of 683 university students participated by completing questionnaires on Smart Phone Addiction (SAS) scale, Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) across two different time points with six-months interval between them. The participants were selected using a cluster sampling technique from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. A cross-lagged model was utilized to assess the longitudinal association between these variables.

Results: Statistically significant reciprocal associations were found between PSU, bedtime procrastination, and mental health symptoms. PSU at Time 1 significantly predicted PSU at Time 2, bedtime procrastination at Time 2, sleep quality at Time 2, and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Bedtime procrastination at Time 1 predicted PSU at Time 2, sleep quality at Time 2, and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Sleep quality at Time 1 predicted bedtime procrastination at Time 2 and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Mental health symptoms at Time 1 predicted PSU at Time 2 and sleep quality at Time 2.

Conclusion: The research findings have significantly advanced understanding of the longitudinal connections between PSU, bedtime procrastination, sleep quality, and mental health indicators. This enhanced comprehension is instrumental for psychological practitioners in devising targeted interventions to mitigate such issues among the university student demographic.

Keywords: anxiety; bedtime procrastination; depression; problematic smartphone use; sleep quality; stress symptoms.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Shyamkumar Sriram is affiliated with Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, 76201, Texas, USA since August 16, 2024. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A longitudinal cross-lagged path model among study variables across two-time frames ie P1 & P2. **Significant at 0.01. ***Significant at 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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