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G. Ozkan1, H. Gonulsever1, S. Koyuncu1, A. Unal1, F. Altug1
1Pamukkale University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Denizli, Turkey
Background: The increasing use of technological devices such as mobile phones and computers has become indispensable elements of daily life. Especially students are one of the groups that use communication tools most with the developing technology.
Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of technology addiction on academic achievement, musculoskeletal system and quality of life in young people.
Methods: 473 volunteer university students (258 males, 215 females) between the ages of 20-30 were included in the study. In addition to the demographic information of the participants, smartphone and computer usage status, duration and usage purposes were recorded in the data form. Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SF) to determine the level of smartphone addiction of the participants, the Young’s Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF) to determine the level of computer addiction, Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) to evaluate the localization, severity and frequency of pain in body parts. Short Form-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to assess overall health and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to determine the level of life satisfaction. The data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 package program.
Results: Mean age of volunteers was 22.03±1.74 years. Mean academic grade were 2.73±0.51 points. While mean CMDQ-total score was 51.91±88.83 points, mean SAS-SF 28.96±10.20 points and YIAT-SF was 29.49±8.71 points. Life satisfaction scores and the most sub-parameters of SF-36 were slightly below average. Mean SWLS scores was 19.56±6.25 points. Mean scores of SF-36 sub-parameters were following: General health perceptions was 60.62±16.70, physical functioning was 88.20±17.33, physical role functioning was 80.56±29.40, emotional role functioning was 58.82±41.45, social role functioning 69.56±22.36, bodily pain was 69.63±19.66, vitality 53.93±21.14 and mental health was 57.22±16.87 points. YIATS-SF was correlated with daily smartphone usage time, SAS-SF and CMDQ-total, positively (p<0.05). There are negative correlations between all sub-parameters of SF-36, SWLS and YIAT-SF (p<0.05). At the same time, there are statistically positive correlations between daily smartphone and internet usage time, CMDQ-total and SAS-SF (p<0.05). SAS-SF was correlated with all sub-parameters of SF-36, negatively (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between YIAT-SF, SAS-SF and academic grade (p>0.05).
Conclusion(s): The results of this study showed that technology addiction has a negative effect on the quality of life and the musculoskeletal system in young people.
Implications: As a result of technological devices becoming a part of our lives, the devotion to the device, the desire to constantly control and the thoughts of not being able to prevent this behavior are increasing. These thoughts affect daily life and interpersonal relationships. When used properly, these technological devices, which provide benefits and convenience in many areas, have begun to cause serious damage and create some physical and psychological health problems when used, unconsciously.
Funding, acknowledgements: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).
Keywords: Technology addiction, musculoskeletal system, quality of life
Topic: Musculoskeletal
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Pamukkale University
Committee: Pamukkale University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Medical Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 60116787-020 / 62808
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
