Association Between Smartphone Use and Self-Regulatory Capacity Among Adolescents: A Correlational Study

Ahmed Kareem Al- Hassan; Noor Ali Al- Mousawi

Ahmed Kareem Al- Hassan Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Noor Ali Al- Mousawi Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

Keywords: Smartphone use, Problematic smartphone use, Self-regulation, Young adults, Behavioural control, Correlation

Abstract

Background: Smartphones are widely used by young adults and may influence attention, routines and behavioural control. Objective: To examine the association between problematic smartphone-use behaviour and self-regulation.

Methods: A simulated cross-sectional correlational dataset of 120 young adults aged 15–19 years was constructed for research-reporting demonstration. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used.

Results: Mean problematic smartphone-use score was 34.3 ± 11.0; mean self-regulation score was 194.9 ± 18.0. A negative correlation was observed (r = -0.75, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In this illustrative dataset, greater problematic smartphone use was associated with lower self-regulation. These results are simulated and do not constitute empirical evidence.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202612

How to cite this article:
Al-Hassan A K, Al-Mousawi N A. Association Between Smartphone Use and Self-Regulatory Capacity Among Adolescents: A Correlational Study. Ind J Youth Adol Health. 2026;13(3):4-8.

References

Baumeister RF, Vohs KD. Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications. New York: Guilford Press; 2004.

Zimmerman BJ. Attaining self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective. In: Boekaerts M, Pintrich PR, Zeidner M, editors. Handbook of self-regulation. San Diego: Academic Press; 2000. p. 13–39.

Brown JM, Miller WR, Lawendowski LA. The selfregulation questionnaire. In: VandeCreek L, Jackson TL, editors. Innovations in clinical practice. Vol. 17. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press; 1999. p. 281–292.

Kwon M, Kim DJ, Cho H, Yang S. The smartphone addiction scale: Development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS One. 2013;8(12):e83558.

Geng Y, Gu J, Wang J, Zhang R. Effects of smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Chinese university students: The mediating role of self-regulation and bedtime procrastination. Addict Behav. 2020;111:106552.