Does the Excessive use of Mobile Phones in Young Adults Reflect an Emerging Behavioral Addiction?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and objective Mobile phones have become an essential part and parcel of modern life. Some of the studies have shown potentially adverse consequences of excessive mobile phone use. Aim of this study was to explore the pattern of mobile phone use among young adults and evaluate the mobile phone use pattern on the substance dependence criteria and assess the adverse consequences of mobile phone use. Materials and methods A 46-item questionnaire based on the ICD-10 substance dependence syndrome criteria, CAGE questionnaire and keeping the possible adverse consequences of excessive use in mind was given to the participants. Results A total of 212 young adults with a mean age of 21.6 years participated in the study. About one-third of the participants met three or more of the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for substance dependence and more than half (57.1%) fulfilled two or more items on the CAGE questionnaire. Those who fulfilled the dependence criteria spent more time per day on the mobile phone and more frequently had harmful consequences on various aspects of life. Conclusion Excessive mobile phone use is associated with adverse consequences in different spheres of life and some subjects use it in dependent pattern. How to cite this article Nehra R, Kate N, Grover S, Khehra N, Basu D. Does the Excessive use of Mobile Phones in Young Adults Reflect an Emerging Behavioral Addiction? J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(4):177-182.