Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review

Background: Globally there has been an exponential increase in the penetration of smartphones among the youth population and smartphones have become indispensable in the daily lives of university students in South Korea. Several studies have associated the problematic use of smartphones or addiction...

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Main Authors: Chiara Achangwa, Hyun Sik Ryu, Jae Kwang Lee, Ju-Dong Jang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/1/14
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author Chiara Achangwa
Hyun Sik Ryu
Jae Kwang Lee
Ju-Dong Jang
author_facet Chiara Achangwa
Hyun Sik Ryu
Jae Kwang Lee
Ju-Dong Jang
author_sort Chiara Achangwa
collection DOAJ
description Background: Globally there has been an exponential increase in the penetration of smartphones among the youth population and smartphones have become indispensable in the daily lives of university students in South Korea. Several studies have associated the problematic use of smartphones or addiction with different adverse outcomes. The goal of this study was to collate empirical evidence and provides an overall synthesis of the literature about the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in South Korea. Method: We carried out a systematic review of the published literature between August and October 2022 on the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in South Korea, published between 2012 and 2022 in Pubmed/Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Biomed-Central, Web of Science, Directory of Open Access Journals, Elsevier’s collection, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, Sage Journal’s collection and Cochrane Library. Results: Thirty-four articles published between 2012 and 2022 were included in the synthesis of this review. Eight studies explored the association between smartphone addiction and the psychological and mental health of university students in Korea. Smartphone addiction was associated with physical health leading to sleep disorders and musculoskeletal and neurological problems. Academic performance, procrastination, impulsivity, self-esteem, reduced social interaction, solitude, and suicide were also negatively associated with smartphone addiction. Conclusions: Our study adds to the literature regarding the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in Korea and provides more information for addiction prevention and health promotion activities.
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spelling doaj.art-df7e5ec497c7407f8e3d44be1d588f622023-11-16T15:24:20ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322022-12-011111410.3390/healthcare11010014Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic ReviewChiara Achangwa0Hyun Sik Ryu1Jae Kwang Lee2Ju-Dong Jang3Department of Public Health and Welfare, The Graduate School, Konyang University 709 Ho, Myeongkok Medical Building 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Konyang University Hospital, 685 Gasuwon-Dong Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Konyang University Hospital, 685 Gasuwon-Dong Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Public Health and Welfare, The Graduate School, Konyang University 709 Ho, Myeongkok Medical Building 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Republic of KoreaBackground: Globally there has been an exponential increase in the penetration of smartphones among the youth population and smartphones have become indispensable in the daily lives of university students in South Korea. Several studies have associated the problematic use of smartphones or addiction with different adverse outcomes. The goal of this study was to collate empirical evidence and provides an overall synthesis of the literature about the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in South Korea. Method: We carried out a systematic review of the published literature between August and October 2022 on the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in South Korea, published between 2012 and 2022 in Pubmed/Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Biomed-Central, Web of Science, Directory of Open Access Journals, Elsevier’s collection, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, Sage Journal’s collection and Cochrane Library. Results: Thirty-four articles published between 2012 and 2022 were included in the synthesis of this review. Eight studies explored the association between smartphone addiction and the psychological and mental health of university students in Korea. Smartphone addiction was associated with physical health leading to sleep disorders and musculoskeletal and neurological problems. Academic performance, procrastination, impulsivity, self-esteem, reduced social interaction, solitude, and suicide were also negatively associated with smartphone addiction. Conclusions: Our study adds to the literature regarding the adverse effects of smartphone addiction on university students in Korea and provides more information for addiction prevention and health promotion activities.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/1/14adverse effectssmartphone addictionuniversity studentssystematic reviewKorea
spellingShingle Chiara Achangwa
Hyun Sik Ryu
Jae Kwang Lee
Ju-Dong Jang
Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
Healthcare
adverse effects
smartphone addiction
university students
systematic review
Korea
title Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
title_full Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
title_short Adverse Effects of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in South Korea: A Systematic Review
title_sort adverse effects of smartphone addiction among university students in south korea a systematic review
topic adverse effects
smartphone addiction
university students
systematic review
Korea
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/1/14
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