Author
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Sergio Hidalgo-Fuentes - Universidad de Valencia
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Artículos
The relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness: a meta-analysis
abstract
Problematic smartphone use has become a global health problem. The objective of this work is to
examine the relationship between problematic smartphone use and loneliness using meta-analytic
techniques. A bibliographic search was carried out using the Web of Science, Scopus and PsycInfo
databases, recovering a total of 26 articles that met the inclusion criteria (n = 25,026). The effect
size obtained using a random effects model is significative and positive (Zr = 0.22). The metaregression
analysis showed that sex and age are not statistically significative moderating variables.
The presence of publication bias is not appreciated. Those subjects who show higher levels of
problematic smartphone use also have higher feelings of loneliness. The limitations of the work are
presented and their implications are discussed.
Keywords:
Problematic smartphone use, loneliness, meta-analysis.