Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation

Sarita Mishra Kolhe

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation

Sarita Mishra Kolhe

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 11, Issue 6)

Received: 21 November 2022 Accepted: 15 December 2022 Published: 28 December 2022

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Abstract

One of the most pervasive technological devices in the world are the smartphones. The features and applications of a Smartphone have turned it into a portable personal computer. The New York Times, The Economist and the Harvard Research Journal have coined the expression “Dopamine Squirt” to describe the drug like effect of connecting to technological devices being a smartphone. Some of the dysfunctions of smartphone addiction are reported to be disruption of social communication, family relationships and close bonds, sleep disruption, poor academic performance and disruptive work relations leading to maladaptation and maladjustment to the environment. Numerous researches have highlighted that there are a plethora of adverse impacts due to smartphone addiction which takes a toll not only on family relationships and close bonds but also on the physical and mental health including nervous disturbances; weakening of the immune system; problems with the eardrum; experiencing pain in the wrist, neck and joints; fatigue, sleep disorders and brain tumor. There is evidence that children’s cognitive development can be damaged by prolonged internet and smartphone use, including the development of memory skills, attention span, abilities for critical reasoning, language acquisition, reading, writing skills and learning abilities. Paradoxically, people are driving at a break-neck speed, connected to the world via GPS technology, yet they are disconnected from their own sense of purpose and direction. Deep thinking, contemplation as well as introspection are getting lost sight of, and are being overlooked in this instantaneous culture. The maladjustments and maladaptation due to smartphone addiction has overarching ramifications both horizontally and vertically, as it leads to several adverse impacts on the physiological, psychological, sociological, emotional, behavioural, attitudinal as well as the mental health of the smartphone addicts. The harmful impact of smartphone addiction on the cognitive, behavioural and attitudinal aspects of human functioning cannot be underestimated. The negative outcomes of smartphone addiction on the minds of teenagers, adolescents as well as young adults are pervasive and permeates different aspects of human functioning which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner by various stakeholders, incorporating exercise of discipline, a sense of control over smartphone usage as well as dedicated interventions by parents, guardians, educators, and individuals themselves so that the dysfunctional coping, maladjustments and maladaptation are reduced to a significant degree in order to foster effective adaptation to the environment.

Published in	American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 11, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
Page(s)	172-184
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Smartphone Addiction, Internet Addiction, Maladjustment, Maladaptation

References

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. (2022). Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 11(6), 172-184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2022, 11(6), 172-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. Am J Appl Psychol. 2022;11(6):172-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15,
  author = {Sarita Mishra Kolhe},
  title = {Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {172-184},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20221106.15},
  abstract = {One of the most pervasive technological devices in the world are the smartphones. The features and applications of a Smartphone have turned it into a portable personal computer. The New York Times, The Economist and the Harvard Research Journal have coined the expression “Dopamine Squirt” to describe the drug like effect of connecting to technological devices being a smartphone. Some of the dysfunctions of smartphone addiction are reported to be disruption of social communication, family relationships and close bonds, sleep disruption, poor academic performance and disruptive work relations leading to maladaptation and maladjustment to the environment. Numerous researches have highlighted that there are a plethora of adverse impacts due to smartphone addiction which takes a toll not only on family relationships and close bonds but also on the physical and mental health including nervous disturbances; weakening of the immune system; problems with the eardrum; experiencing pain in the wrist, neck and joints; fatigue, sleep disorders and brain tumor. There is evidence that children’s cognitive development can be damaged by prolonged internet and smartphone use, including the development of memory skills, attention span, abilities for critical reasoning, language acquisition, reading, writing skills and learning abilities. Paradoxically, people are driving at a break-neck speed, connected to the world via GPS technology, yet they are disconnected from their own sense of purpose and direction. Deep thinking, contemplation as well as introspection are getting lost sight of, and are being overlooked in this instantaneous culture. The maladjustments and maladaptation due to smartphone addiction has overarching ramifications both horizontally and vertically, as it leads to several adverse impacts on the physiological, psychological, sociological, emotional, behavioural, attitudinal as well as the mental health of the smartphone addicts. The harmful impact of smartphone addiction on the cognitive, behavioural and attitudinal aspects of human functioning cannot be underestimated. The negative outcomes of smartphone addiction on the minds of teenagers, adolescents as well as young adults are pervasive and permeates different aspects of human functioning which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner by various stakeholders, incorporating exercise of discipline, a sense of control over smartphone usage as well as dedicated interventions by parents, guardians, educators, and individuals themselves so that the dysfunctional coping, maladjustments and maladaptation are reduced to a significant degree in order to foster effective adaptation to the environment.},
 year = {2022}
}

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T1  - Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation
AU  - Sarita Mishra Kolhe
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
AB  - One of the most pervasive technological devices in the world are the smartphones. The features and applications of a Smartphone have turned it into a portable personal computer. The New York Times, The Economist and the Harvard Research Journal have coined the expression “Dopamine Squirt” to describe the drug like effect of connecting to technological devices being a smartphone. Some of the dysfunctions of smartphone addiction are reported to be disruption of social communication, family relationships and close bonds, sleep disruption, poor academic performance and disruptive work relations leading to maladaptation and maladjustment to the environment. Numerous researches have highlighted that there are a plethora of adverse impacts due to smartphone addiction which takes a toll not only on family relationships and close bonds but also on the physical and mental health including nervous disturbances; weakening of the immune system; problems with the eardrum; experiencing pain in the wrist, neck and joints; fatigue, sleep disorders and brain tumor. There is evidence that children’s cognitive development can be damaged by prolonged internet and smartphone use, including the development of memory skills, attention span, abilities for critical reasoning, language acquisition, reading, writing skills and learning abilities. Paradoxically, people are driving at a break-neck speed, connected to the world via GPS technology, yet they are disconnected from their own sense of purpose and direction. Deep thinking, contemplation as well as introspection are getting lost sight of, and are being overlooked in this instantaneous culture. The maladjustments and maladaptation due to smartphone addiction has overarching ramifications both horizontally and vertically, as it leads to several adverse impacts on the physiological, psychological, sociological, emotional, behavioural, attitudinal as well as the mental health of the smartphone addicts. The harmful impact of smartphone addiction on the cognitive, behavioural and attitudinal aspects of human functioning cannot be underestimated. The negative outcomes of smartphone addiction on the minds of teenagers, adolescents as well as young adults are pervasive and permeates different aspects of human functioning which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner by various stakeholders, incorporating exercise of discipline, a sense of control over smartphone usage as well as dedicated interventions by parents, guardians, educators, and individuals themselves so that the dysfunctional coping, maladjustments and maladaptation are reduced to a significant degree in order to foster effective adaptation to the environment.
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Sarita Mishra Kolhe

Income Tax Department, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, New Delhi, India

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. (2022). Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 11(6), 172-184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2022, 11(6), 172-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe. Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation. Am J Appl Psychol. 2022;11(6):172-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15,
  author = {Sarita Mishra Kolhe},
  title = {Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {172-184},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20221106.15},
  abstract = {One of the most pervasive technological devices in the world are the smartphones. The features and applications of a Smartphone have turned it into a portable personal computer. The New York Times, The Economist and the Harvard Research Journal have coined the expression “Dopamine Squirt” to describe the drug like effect of connecting to technological devices being a smartphone. Some of the dysfunctions of smartphone addiction are reported to be disruption of social communication, family relationships and close bonds, sleep disruption, poor academic performance and disruptive work relations leading to maladaptation and maladjustment to the environment. Numerous researches have highlighted that there are a plethora of adverse impacts due to smartphone addiction which takes a toll not only on family relationships and close bonds but also on the physical and mental health including nervous disturbances; weakening of the immune system; problems with the eardrum; experiencing pain in the wrist, neck and joints; fatigue, sleep disorders and brain tumor. There is evidence that children’s cognitive development can be damaged by prolonged internet and smartphone use, including the development of memory skills, attention span, abilities for critical reasoning, language acquisition, reading, writing skills and learning abilities. Paradoxically, people are driving at a break-neck speed, connected to the world via GPS technology, yet they are disconnected from their own sense of purpose and direction. Deep thinking, contemplation as well as introspection are getting lost sight of, and are being overlooked in this instantaneous culture. The maladjustments and maladaptation due to smartphone addiction has overarching ramifications both horizontally and vertically, as it leads to several adverse impacts on the physiological, psychological, sociological, emotional, behavioural, attitudinal as well as the mental health of the smartphone addicts. The harmful impact of smartphone addiction on the cognitive, behavioural and attitudinal aspects of human functioning cannot be underestimated. The negative outcomes of smartphone addiction on the minds of teenagers, adolescents as well as young adults are pervasive and permeates different aspects of human functioning which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner by various stakeholders, incorporating exercise of discipline, a sense of control over smartphone usage as well as dedicated interventions by parents, guardians, educators, and individuals themselves so that the dysfunctional coping, maladjustments and maladaptation are reduced to a significant degree in order to foster effective adaptation to the environment.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Smartphone Addiction: Dysfunctional Coping, Maladjustments and Maladaptation
AU  - Sarita Mishra Kolhe
Y1  - 2022/12/28
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
SP  - 172
EP  - 184
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5672
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221106.15
AB  - One of the most pervasive technological devices in the world are the smartphones. The features and applications of a Smartphone have turned it into a portable personal computer. The New York Times, The Economist and the Harvard Research Journal have coined the expression “Dopamine Squirt” to describe the drug like effect of connecting to technological devices being a smartphone. Some of the dysfunctions of smartphone addiction are reported to be disruption of social communication, family relationships and close bonds, sleep disruption, poor academic performance and disruptive work relations leading to maladaptation and maladjustment to the environment. Numerous researches have highlighted that there are a plethora of adverse impacts due to smartphone addiction which takes a toll not only on family relationships and close bonds but also on the physical and mental health including nervous disturbances; weakening of the immune system; problems with the eardrum; experiencing pain in the wrist, neck and joints; fatigue, sleep disorders and brain tumor. There is evidence that children’s cognitive development can be damaged by prolonged internet and smartphone use, including the development of memory skills, attention span, abilities for critical reasoning, language acquisition, reading, writing skills and learning abilities. Paradoxically, people are driving at a break-neck speed, connected to the world via GPS technology, yet they are disconnected from their own sense of purpose and direction. Deep thinking, contemplation as well as introspection are getting lost sight of, and are being overlooked in this instantaneous culture. The maladjustments and maladaptation due to smartphone addiction has overarching ramifications both horizontally and vertically, as it leads to several adverse impacts on the physiological, psychological, sociological, emotional, behavioural, attitudinal as well as the mental health of the smartphone addicts. The harmful impact of smartphone addiction on the cognitive, behavioural and attitudinal aspects of human functioning cannot be underestimated. The negative outcomes of smartphone addiction on the minds of teenagers, adolescents as well as young adults are pervasive and permeates different aspects of human functioning which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner by various stakeholders, incorporating exercise of discipline, a sense of control over smartphone usage as well as dedicated interventions by parents, guardians, educators, and individuals themselves so that the dysfunctional coping, maladjustments and maladaptation are reduced to a significant degree in order to foster effective adaptation to the environment.
VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -

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