Comparing smartphone addiction: The prevalence, predictors, and negative consequences in Hong Kong and Mainland China

Abstract

This study aimed to identify common and specific factors related to smartphone addiction by systematically comparing the prevalence, predictors, and improper behavioral outcomes of smartphone addiction among university students in two cities. Data were randomly gathered from 661 university students, of which 351 were in Hong Kong and 310 were in Guangzhou (a mainland China city). The findings showed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of smartphone addiction between the two samples. In addition, the comparison of predictors of smartphone addiction showed similar significant psychological traits (procrastination and urgency) in both regions. The findings also revealed that smartphone addiction was associated with distinct habits of media use. Entertainment and information seeking behaviors were the unique significant predictors among the Hong Kong students, whereas social interaction was an extremely robust factor among the Guangzhou students. At last, in comparing the predictors of improper use of smartphone, addiction symptoms (craving and complaints) and utility assisting use of smartphone were significant factors for students in both regions.