A recent study conducted during the Covid pandemic has highlighted a growing concern regarding smartphone usage among Indonesian university students. Researchers have identified a significant link between attachment styles and problematic smartphone use (PSU), providing new insights into how emotional and psychological factors drive this behaviour. The study surveyed 276 undergraduate students from various Indonesian islands, aiming to explore the mechanisms that influence excessive smartphone use. The findings were published in the journal Current Psychology.
The study suggests that attachment styles play a crucial role in determining an individual’s vulnerability to PSU. The findings show that students with insecure attachment styles, particularly fearful and preoccupied attachment types, are more prone to excessive smartphone usage. These attachment styles, characterised by low self-esteem and heightened dependency on external validation, lead students to use smartphones as a means of escape and emotional support. This behaviour is notably exacerbated by the fear of missing out (FOMO), a phenomenon that drives individuals to stay constantly connected through social media.
Conversely, students with secure or dismissive attachment styles showed no significant correlation with PSU. Those with secure attachment styles, who possess a positive self-image and trust in others, were less reliant on smartphones for social validation. In contrast, dismissive individuals, though independent, also displayed a lower tendency to engage in excessive smartphone use, despite their avoidance of social connections.
A key factor mediating the relationship between attachment styles and PSU is the presence of FoMO. The study found that individuals with insecure attachment styles were more likely to experience FoMO, which, in turn, contributed to increased smartphone dependence. While loneliness was initially considered a potential mediator, the research showed that it did not significantly impact the relationship between attachment and PSU. However, the combination of loneliness and FoMO was found to create a sequential mediation effect in individuals with secure or dismissive attachment styles, albeit to a lesser extent.
The pandemic, which disrupted in-person interactions and heightened feelings of isolation, provided an ideal context for the study. Researchers noted that young adults, particularly college students, experienced increased social disconnection, leading many to rely on their smartphones as a substitute for face-to-face interactions. This reliance often resulted in problematic patterns of use, especially in those with pre-existing emotional vulnerabilities linked to their attachment styles.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological underpinnings of PSU. By understanding the role of attachment in shaping behaviour, interventions can be designed to promote healthier smartphone use, especially among young adults who may be more susceptible to its negative effects. The research further highlights the need for strategies that reduce the fear of missing out, which is a key driver of excessive smartphone engagement.
