“Let me check my phone just one more time”: Understanding the relationship of obsessive-compulsive disorder severity and problematic smartphone use

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2024-04, Vol.43 (13), p.11593-11603
• Main Authors: Holte, Alex J., Aukerman, Kaley, Padgett, Ryan, Kenna, Madi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Neuroses; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Psychology; Smartphones; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-05298-2

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by a series of symptoms relating to unwanted and distressing thoughts (IE: obsessions) that lead into the development of repetitive and disruptive behaviors (IE: compulsions) in order to quell the anxiety that stems from the obsessive thought(s). Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is the use of one’s smartphone that is viewed as being excessive or interferes with their daily activities. Prior research has identified a relationship between OCD and PSU. However, more research is needed to understand factors that mediate this relationship. In our study, we recruited 438 people and had them complete multiple measures assessing various levels of obsessive-compulsive behavior, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), inhibitory anxiety (IA), boredom proneness, and PSU. With use of Structural Equation Modeling, several key findings were identified, such as OCD predicted boredom proneness, FOMO, and IA. Moreover, while FoMO and boredom proneness predicted PSU, IA did not. It was also discovered that FoMO and boredom proneness mediated the relationship of OCD and PSU, but IA did not. FoMO and boredom proneness appear to play an important role in the relationship between OCD and PSU. Though, experimental work is needed to evaluate the causal effects of this relationship.