The Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Identity Development among Adolescents

Abstract

Smartphone addiction has negative consequences on adolescents. The main developmental task of adolescence is the formation of ego-identity. Little is awareness of the role of smartphone addiction in ego-identity during adolescence. The study intends to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and dimensions of identity development. For this purpose, the effects of smartphone addiction on identity dimensions were analysed using path analysis. The sample consisted of 403 high school students aged between 13 and 18 years. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale and Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form were used as data gathering instruments. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that smartphone addiction negatively predicted identification commitment, commitment making and exploration breadth from the dimensions of identity development. In addition, it was found that smartphone addiction positively predicted ruminative identity exploration. With the model presented in this study, the connection between smartphone addiction and identity development was determined and it was concluded that adolescents' smartphone addiction plays an important role in identity development. The results obtained were discussed within the framework of the literature. Suggestions were made to researchers and practitioners.