The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use
Abstract Smartphones are increasingly widespread throughout the world and, although smartphones provide various benefits, excessive and maladaptive use is often reported. Given the penetration of smartphones in the individual’s daily life, it is relevant to identify the mechanisms sustaining their u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01339-4 |
| _version_ | 1797555585203306496 |
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| author | Emanuela S. Gritti Robert F. Bornstein Baptiste Barbot |
| author_facet | Emanuela S. Gritti Robert F. Bornstein Baptiste Barbot |
| author_sort | Emanuela S. Gritti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Smartphones are increasingly widespread throughout the world and, although smartphones provide various benefits, excessive and maladaptive use is often reported. Given the penetration of smartphones in the individual’s daily life, it is relevant to identify the mechanisms sustaining their use, including the affective bond that the owner may develop with the device. The aim of the current study is to test a novel model to explain smartphone and Social Network Sites (SNS) use from an interpersonal perspective. We hypothesized that adult attachment style and interpersonal patterns (i.e., features of interpersonal dependency) generalize to the emotional bond with the mobile device, interacting with psychological correlates and background factors to predict smartphone and SNS consumption. 341 nonclinical adults (57.2% females; age M = 35.5, SD = 14.6) completed a battery consisting of the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Relationship Profile Test, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale, and the Social Network Intensity and Social Network Access via Mobile phone Applications. A multi-mediation model supported the hypothesis regarding the influence of interpersonal style in the relationship of the individual with their smartphone and use of SNS. A parallel between attachment style and the emotional bond with the smartphone emerged, with anxious attachment style and destructive overdependence being potential risk factors for maladaptive smartphone use especially in individuals involved in a romantic relationship. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical implications and intervention strategies towards smartphone dependency. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:49:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3318834a7c7b4dfcb51ae7b000785f53 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:49:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3318834a7c7b4dfcb51ae7b000785f532023-11-20T11:20:12ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-09-0111111710.1186/s40359-023-01339-4The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks useEmanuela S. Gritti0Robert F. Bornstein1Baptiste Barbot2Department of Psychology, Milano-Bicocca UniversityDerner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi UniversityUCLouvain, Psychological Sciences Research InstituteAbstract Smartphones are increasingly widespread throughout the world and, although smartphones provide various benefits, excessive and maladaptive use is often reported. Given the penetration of smartphones in the individual’s daily life, it is relevant to identify the mechanisms sustaining their use, including the affective bond that the owner may develop with the device. The aim of the current study is to test a novel model to explain smartphone and Social Network Sites (SNS) use from an interpersonal perspective. We hypothesized that adult attachment style and interpersonal patterns (i.e., features of interpersonal dependency) generalize to the emotional bond with the mobile device, interacting with psychological correlates and background factors to predict smartphone and SNS consumption. 341 nonclinical adults (57.2% females; age M = 35.5, SD = 14.6) completed a battery consisting of the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Relationship Profile Test, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale, and the Social Network Intensity and Social Network Access via Mobile phone Applications. A multi-mediation model supported the hypothesis regarding the influence of interpersonal style in the relationship of the individual with their smartphone and use of SNS. A parallel between attachment style and the emotional bond with the smartphone emerged, with anxious attachment style and destructive overdependence being potential risk factors for maladaptive smartphone use especially in individuals involved in a romantic relationship. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical implications and intervention strategies towards smartphone dependency.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01339-4Smartphone useSocial networkingAttachment styleInterpersonal dependencyHuman-computer interaction |
| spellingShingle | Emanuela S. Gritti Robert F. Bornstein Baptiste Barbot The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use BMC Psychology Smartphone use Social networking Attachment style Interpersonal dependency Human-computer interaction |
| title | The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| title_full | The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| title_fullStr | The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| title_full_unstemmed | The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| title_short | The smartphone as a “significant other”: interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| title_sort | smartphone as a significant other interpersonal dependency and attachment in maladaptive smartphone and social networks use |
| topic | Smartphone use Social networking Attachment style Interpersonal dependency Human-computer interaction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01339-4 |
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