Effects of On-Campus and Off-Campus Smartphone Overdependence Prevention Programs Among University Students

• Main Authors: Jeong Soon Yu (Author), Ok Kyung Ham (Author), Myung Soon Kwon (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1976-1317; 10.1016/j.anr.2022.07.004
• Keywords: Personal autonomy; Smartphone overdependence/addiction; University students; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Asian Nursing Research, Vol 16, Iss 4, Pp 215-223 (2022)

SUMMARY: Purpose: The purpose of this article is to evaluate effects of self-determination theory-based on-campus and off-campus prevention programs on smartphone overdependence among university students. Methods: This was a pre-posttest quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group (CG). Seventy-eight students were recruited as participants. They were allowed to choose either an experiment group (EG) or a CG. On-campus smartphone overdependence prevention program was provided to participants in experimental group 1 (EG1), while on-campus program combined with off-campus prevention camp was provided to those in experimental group 2 (EG2). Instruments used in this study included a smartphone overdependence self-diagnosis scale, a basic psychological needs scale, and a self-regulation ability scale. Data collection was performed at baseline, immediately after intervention, at 1 month and 3 months after intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of covariance. Focus group interview was performed for qualitative evaluation. Results: After the intervention, smartphone overdependence and basic psychological needs exhibited significant interactions between group and time. Smartphone overdependence scores decreased in EG1 and EG2 but increased in CG (F = 4.56, p = .001). Basic psychological needs improved in EG1 and EG2 but deteriorated in CG (F = 5.04, p = .009). Focus group interviews revealed that participants strived to control their smartphone usage through individual efforts and by interacting with new friends in college even after completing the program. Conclusion: In this study, on-campus only program and combined intervention of on- and off-campus programs were both effective in maintaining and managing smartphone use. However, participants perceived that the off-campus program provided an opportunity to apply the theory learned in on-campus to the real world.