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. 2025 Jul;22(7):813-820.
doi: 10.30773/pi.2025.0011. Epub 2025 Jul 16.

Problematic Smartphone Use Is Associated With Current and Previous Major Depressive Disorder

Su Jeong Seong  1 , Jin Pyo Hong  2 , Bong-Jin Hahm  3   4 , Sung Man Chang  5 , Byung-Soo Kim  5 , Dong-Woo Lee  6 , Seong-Jin Cho  7 , Jong-Ik Park  8   9 , Jee Eun Park  3   4 , Hong Jin Jeon  2
Affiliations

Problematic Smartphone Use Is Associated With Current and Previous Major Depressive Disorder

Su Jeong Seong et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: Although many studies have demonstrated the association between depression and problematic smartphone use (PSU), temporal precedence of this relationship remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between present PSU and both past and current major depressive disorder (MDD) among adults.

Methods: We utilized data from the Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area study, a nationwide epidemiologic survey that employed a multistage cluster sampling method. Participants were assessed using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to diagnose MDD and the Smartphone Overuse Screening Questionnaire to identify PSU.

Results: Of a total of 916 subjects, 139 (15.2%) belonged to the PSU group. The prevalence of PSU in older adults was substantial: 9.3% in the age group of 36-50 years and 5.4% in the age group of over 50 years. We found a significant association between MDD and PSU. Both current and previous MDD episodes were associated with an increased risk of PSU.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the association of PSU and depression among general adult population and the precedence of MDD to PSU. Even previously resolved depression was found to affect current PSU.

Keywords: Addiction; Depression; Mental health; Mobile phone addiction; Mood disorder; Smartphone addiction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Hong Jin Jeon, an editor of the Psychiatry Investigation, was not involved in the editorial evaluation or decision to publish this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pattern of problematic smartphone use by history of depression. *p<0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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