Impact of problematic mobile phone use among nursing students in India: Exploring associations with depression, insomnia, self‐esteem and satisfaction with life

Abstract

AbstractAimThis research aimed to determine the impact of problematic mobile phone use on negative mental health outcomes among nursing students in India, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance the overall well‐being and adaptability of future healthcare professionals.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted in three randomly selected nursing colleges in South India, employing validated and standardized tools such as the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale.ResultsThe study included 402 nursing students with an average age of 20.47 years, revealing a 39% prevalence of severe problematic mobile phone usage. Positive correlations were observed between mobile phone problematic use and age, depression and insomnia. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between satisfaction with life and self‐esteem. Depression and satisfaction with life served as chain mediators in the impact of self‐esteem on problematic mobile phone use, and both self‐esteem and satisfaction with life negatively predicted problematic mobile phone use.ConclusionThe study highlights a prevalent issue of problematic mobile phone use among nursing students, indicating a pressing need for timely intervention, as it correlates with depression, sleep insomnia, low self‐esteem and life dissatisfaction.