Does Smartphone Addiction Cause Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract: The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression in primary care. Three hundred fifty-two people who participated in our research, designed as a cross-sectional study, filled out the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction scale and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Among the participants, 28.9% were found to have smartphone addiction and 52.3% were found to have depressive symptoms. The mean score of participants in the Smartphone Addiction Scale was 24.32 ± 11.24 points (n = 352). The mean score in Beck’s Depression Inventory was 10.80 ± 7.94 points. A positive significant relationship was found between depression frequency and social media usage duration (1–2 hours/ day) and length of social media usage (≥5 hours/day). A weak but positive and significant correlation was found between Smartphone Addiction Scale and Beck’s Depression Inventory (r = 0.147; p = .006). In the regression analysis, it was determined that having an income between 1000 and 1999 TL, having a computer at home, having other addictions other than smoking, and being addicted to a smartphone increase the risk of depression development. The relationship between smartphone addiction and depression should be given attention. The factors influencing smartphone addiction should be considered. Especially the social media and smartphone usage should be limited.