Patterns of smartphone addiction and associated factors: effects on mental health and academic performance in medical students

Abstract

Background: Smartphones are now central to daily life, but their overuse increasingly recognized as a form of behavioral addiction has been linked to declines in mental health, physical wellbeing, and academic performance among young people, including medical students. Objective: To assess patterns of smartphone use and addiction among medical students and examine associated effects on mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) and academic performance. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 randomly selected medical students at a medical college in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a pretested, validated interview schedule. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants, with full confidentiality and voluntary withdrawal rights assured. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 25.0 using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: Most participants (54.4%) were aged 18–22 years, 58.4% were female, and 89.6% were single. Nearly half (43.3%) self-identified as non-addicts of smartphone use, while 28.8% identified as addicts. Most students (53.4%) had no depression and 46.6% reported normal anxiety levels. A majority (63.4%) were at risk of social media addiction, and 46.6% used smartphones predominantly at night. Physical complaints included eye strain (54.4%), weight gain (46%), and back pain (36.2%). A statistically significant association (p<0.005) was found between social media addiction risk and perceived effect on exam performance. Conclusion: Medical students frequently use smartphones, particularly at night, and while most did not show elevated depression or anxiety, a substantial proportion were at risk of social media addiction and reported physical and academic consequences of smartphone overuse. Targeted awareness and moderation strategies are warranted.