Investigating the Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Perseverative Thinking among Pakistani University Students: A Case of Islamabad

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Technology of 21^st century has turned into a global dilemma characterized by smartphone addiction that results in persistent negative thinking, known as perseverative thinking. This research has investigated the relationship between smartphone addictions and perseverative thinking among the Islamabad-based university students.

Methodology: This cross-sectional correlational survey of 351 students of Islamabad-based universities was conducted through purposive sampling technique including 176 male and 175 female active smartphone uses between 18-35 years of age by employing Smartphone Addiction Scale-Student Version (Kwon et al., 2013) and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (Ehring et al., 2011).

Findings: The results indicated a significant moderate correlation between smartphone addiction and perseverative thinking among the study participants. The study also revealed that smartphone addiction positively (moderate) predicted perseverative thinking among the Islamabad-based Pakistani university students. Furthermore, female, younger age group and undergraduate respondents scored have been more inclined towards smartphone addiction and perseverative thinking than their counterparts.

Conclusion: The administrations in academic institutions can develop policy guidelines, abandoning smartphone usage in classroom settings. They may organize smartphone and digital media literacy workshops to raise awareness on smartphone addiction and perseverative thinking. Furthermore, establishing psychological counseling centers and providing psychological support to the students, teachers and administrative staff who suffer smartphone addiction and perseverative thinking may help counter the dilemma.