Effect of smartphone usage on attentional awareness and aggression, among car drivers

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effect of Smartphone usage on Attention and Aggression among drivers. For this, Problematic Mobile Phone Usage Questionnaire (PMPUQ-SV) (Billieux, & Other, 2018), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (Brown & Ryan, 2003) and Aggression Questionnaire and with its Subscale (Bryant & Smith, 2001) has been used. The sample of the study consists of 251 University students, Females (n=94) and Males (n=157) within twin cities of Pakistan i.e. Islamabad and Rawalpindi within the age range of 18 and above (M=22, S.d=2.54). In order to establish the relationship between variables, Bivariate Correlation analysis, Independent t test, Regression and Anova have been applied on the data. The results show a significant negative correlation of problematic Smartphone usage with Attention awareness and significant positive correlation with Aggression (p=<.0.05). However, results also depict that male individuals have a high level of dangerous use of Smartphone (p=<0.05) and a high level of physical aggression (p=<0.05). Another demonstration is the significant impact of prohibited subscale of problematic Smartphone use and dangerous subscale of problematic Smartphone use on aggression (R2= 0.06, p=<.000). Moreover, the difference in the variable of employment on Smartphone use and aggression states that Problematic Smartphone usage is significantly higher among part time employees (p=0.04) along with prohibited use. Limitations and future implications are also discussed in this study.