Recent Findings, The Duration Of Accessing A Smartphone Is Not Related To Deteriorating Mental Health

The effect of using excessive cellphone (Pexels / Giftpunditsdotcom)

JAKARTA - Many studies suggest limiting the use of smartphones to be mentally healthier. A number of recommendations emphasize the need for a digital detox. So, is it true that the long duration of using a smartphone is a source of anxiety, depression and stress?

Based on the latest research led by Heather Shaw and Kristoffer Geyer found surprising results. The research is published in Technology, Mind, and Behavior. Researching 119 iPhone users and 46 Android users. The time the participants accessed the smartphone was measured for one week.

Participants were also asked about their mental and physical health. Symptoms of anxiety and depression using clinical scales and smartphone usage time. This study also explores the problems that participants experience while using smart phones. The purpose of this study was to find a relationship between the duration of time spent using a cell phone which is suspected as the cause of poor mental health.

Reported by the Good News Network, research led by Heather Shaw from the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University noted that people who don't use smartphones much experience anxiety and depressive disorder above the limit scale.

This means that the long duration of using cell phones is not a clinical measure that causes general anxiety symptoms. This is the first finding in the study. Furthermore, what makes people feel unhappy even though they have limited the use of smart phones?

With various indicators, in essence Shaw explained that research needs to be done to measure problems in the scale of smartphone use. Especially about the anxiety and anxiety felt by the participants regarding the use of communication tools that everyone has.

In fact, many participants have tried to limit access to cell phones. They also admitted that they used the cellphone for a longer duration than they had planned. Heather Shaw said it was important to consider devices separately from technology-driven worries and worries.

Because the research results found by Shaw and his colleagues did not show an important relationship between the duration of smartphone use and mental health. So it has invalidated findings in previous studies which stated that the duration of smartphone use triggers anxiety which actually makes people feel worried.

The findings from Shaw's research are corroborated by a statement by Dr David Ellis of the University of Bath School of Management. Ellis stated that cellular technology has become increasingly important with regard to work and daily life during the Covid-19 pandemic. His research shows that reducing screen time will not make the majority of people happier.

Instead of boosting the benefits of digital detox, says Ellis. People will benefit from using smartphones. In fact, worry and anxiety grow before and or after using a smartphone.