Explorações teóricas e metodológicas sobre o uso problemático de smartphones

Abstract

The problematic use of smartphones has recently been pointed out as a negative consequence of the rapid spread of this technology in the daily lives of various societies. Different conceptual paradigms diverge on the classification of the disorder, with the predominance of explanations based on the notions of compulsion and behavioral addiction; meanwhile, it is admitted today that methodological advancements are necessary to overcome biases present in studies and advance the debate. The aim of this research is to explore the pattern of smartphone use in a convenience sample of university students, aged between 18 and 25 years (n = 113), through the objective monitoring of usage behavior, conducted through an application. A quantitative description of this profile was produced in terms of 3 usage parameters: active screen time (5.37 hours/day), frequency of activation (~112/day) of the device, and number of checks (use < 15 sec; ~64/day), among other variables of interest (age of initiation and most used app categories). This profile was compared to the results obtained in self-report measures (usage estimates and a smartphone addiction screening scale - SPAI-BR), where it was shown that: i) the scale results do not correlate with the behavior in the form of usage parameters; ii) there is no objective difference between the groups classified by the scale as ‘addicted’ and 'non-addicted' to smartphones; iii) estimates have weak correlation both with parameters and with scale results. In conclusion, self-report techniques are inadequate for the correct detection of problematic smartphone use. Passive objective monitoring appears as a little-explored advancement in the field that provides data of greater validity by overcoming biases present in self-report.