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Despite many positive benefits, mobile phone use can be associated with harmful and detrimental behaviors. The aim of this study was twofold: to examine a cross-cultural patterns of perceived dependence on mobile phones in ten European countries, first, grouped in four different regions North: Finland and UK; South: Spain and Italy; East: Hungary and Poland; West: France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland , and second by country, and b how socio-demographics, geographic differences, mobile phone usage patterns, and associated activities predicted this perceived dependence.
A sample of 2, young adults aged 18β29 years were recruited in different European Universities who participated in an online survey.
The young adults from the Northern and Southern regions reported the heaviest use of mobile phones, whereas perceived dependence was less prevalent in the Eastern region. However, the proportion of highly dependent mobile phone users was more elevated in Belgium, UK, and France. Regression analysis identified several risk factors for increased scores on the PMPUQ dependence subscale, namely using mobile phones daily, being female, engaging in social networking, playing video games, shopping and viewing TV shows through the Internet, chatting and messaging, and using mobile phones for downloading-related activities.
Self-reported dependence on mobile phone use is influenced by frequency and specific application usage. Keywords: problematic mobile phone use, mobile phone dependence, behavioral addictions, young adults, cross-cultural research. Mobile phones are now used worldwide as one of the main information and communication technologies ICT.
