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The predictive role of addiction to smartphones in the relationship of metacognitive problems and social media addiction with general belongingness and perceived stress in higher education students

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the predictive role that smartphone addiction plays in the associations between addiction to social media and general belonging, metacognition problems and perceived stress in university students. The study was conducted between October 2018 and March 2019 on a sample of 294 higher education students selected using the stratified sampling technique among students in their 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. The Demographic Information Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form, Social Media Addiction Scale, General Belongingness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Metacognition Scale were used. A positive significant correlation was found between the Smartphone Addiction Scale and Metacognition Scale. Additionally, a positive correlation was established between the Smartphone Addiction Scale and Perceived Stress Scale. A significant negative correlation was also found between the General Belongingness Scale and Smartphone Addiction Scale. The regression model for the ability of students’ scores on the General Belongingness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Metacognition Scale to predict their scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale was statistically significant. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration the perceived level of stress, metacognitive problems and sense of belongingness when attempting to understand the formation of addictions such as smartphone and social media addiction.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Cyprus Science University, Kyrenia, Cyprus

    Asra Babayiğit

  2. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Meryem Karaaziz

  3. Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Innovation and Knowledge Management, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Hüseyin Aras Babayiğit

  4. Faculty of Business and Economics, Department of Business Administration, World Peace University, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Mustafa Sağsan

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  1. Asra Babayiğit
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  2. Meryem Karaaziz
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  3. Hüseyin Aras Babayiğit
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  4. Mustafa Sağsan
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Correspondence to Asra Babayiğit.

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Babayiğit, A., Karaaziz, M., Babayiğit, H.A. et al. The predictive role of addiction to smartphones in the relationship of metacognitive problems and social media addiction with general belongingness and perceived stress in higher education students. Curr Psychol 42, 30891–30901 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04113-8

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