Unmasking Smartphone Addiction: How Loneliness Mediates between Social Anxiety Disorder and Depression

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of social anxiety disorder and depression on the emergence of smartphone addiction. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct and indirect impacts of smartphone addiction on depression and social anxiety disorder, with a specific emphasis on examining the mediating influence of loneliness. The research employed a quantitative approach to investigate these relationships. A survey instrument consisting of 32 items was used to gather data from the students. A data collection sample of 251 students was obtained using non-probability purposive sampling. The study revealed a clear and statistically significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and depression and social anxiety disorder. The present study examines the potential mediating effects of loneliness in the relationship between smartphone addiction, depression, and social anxiety. This study offers valuable insights for professionals, therapists, scholars, and anyone engaged in research and academia.