افسردگی و نگرانی اجتماعی در رابطه با استفاده مشکل ساز از گوشی هوشمند: نقش برجسته نشخواری ذهنی Depression and social anxiety in relation to problematic smartphone use: the prominent role of rumination

Introduction In recent years, published studies have examined the construct of problematic smartphone use. Problematic smartphone use is often defined as excessive use of a smartphone, with social or occupational functional impairment, and including dependence and symptoms seen in addictive disorders such as withdrawal and tolerance (Billieux et al., 2015a). Research has examined relations between psychopathology and problematic smartphone use and/or the continuum of smartphone use frequency. Depression and anxiety severity in particular are well-supported in association with problematic smartphone use and use frequency (reviewed in Elhai et al., 2017a). However, little research has explored the role of more contemporary transdiagnostic constructs of psychopathology in studying these relationships. The most commonly studied psychopathology constructs in relation to problematic smartphone use and usage frequency include variables measuring levels of depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem (reviewed in Elhai et al., 2017a). Depression and anxiety severity have demonstrated moderate and small links (respectively) to levels of problematic smartphone use and usage frequency, with effect sizes of .30 to .50 for depression severity (recently in Demirci et al., 2015; Lu et al., 2011; Smetaniuk, 2014), and approximately .20 for anxiety severity (recently, Demirci et al., 2015; Elhai et al., 2016; Kim, R et al., 2015; Lee, Y-K et al., 2014). These findings generally parallel those from the literature on internet addiction (but not specifically smartphone use) (Ho et al., 2014; Prizant-Passal et al., 2016). However, effect sizes are nonetheless small on average for anxiety, and in some studies for depression severity (Augner and Hacker, 2012; Elhai et al., 2016, 2017b; Kim, J et al., 2015). Some evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship, whereby problematic smartphone use can lead to depression and anxiety severity, and vice-versa (van Deursen et al., 2015; Yen et al., 2012). Theory and empirical evidence demonstrate a dual system process that underlies addictive disorders, involving a balance between impulsive reward seeking and reflection/inhibition (Bechara, 2005; Volkow and Fowler, 2000). This theory has been supported in research on problematic use of technology, and suggests that deficits in brain circuitry may be responsible for such problematic use (Turel and Qahri-Saremi, 2016; Turel et al., 2016). Relevant to the present paper, depression and anxiety severity, and rumination, may be caused by the same types of brain circuitry deficits found in the addictive disorders. Furthermore, research on problematic smartphone use thus far has not examined more contemporary “transdiagnostic” psychopathology constructs – that is, constructs which cut across numerous mental disorders. Such constructs are increasingly important in understanding mechanisms involved in the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology (Mansell et al., 2008). Mediating and moderating variables between psychopathology and problematic internet use (albeit not specific to smartphone) have been tested and supported recently (Brand et al., 2016; Jiang, 2014).