A study to assess the mobile phone dependency and its relation with physical health and social life problem among adolescents of Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Junior College, Dhankawadi, Pune

Abstract

Title: “The mobile phone dependency and its relation with physical health and social life problem among adolescents” Purpose: To assess the mobile dependency among adolescents and to assess the physical health problems and social problems among adolescents. Material and methods: In order to achieve the desired objectives of the study quantitative research approach with non-experimental co relational survey design was adopted for the present study. Using non-probability purposive sampling 100 adolescents were enrolled for the study. Data collection was accomplished by using tool comprised of structured knowledge questionnaire four sections (section-1-demographic data, section-2-Modified standardized structured questionnaire on mobile dependency, section-3 and 4- self structured questionnaire on social and physical problems). Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Findings related to Mobile phone dependency: Majority 62(62%) subjects are mildly mobile dependent, 33(33%) subjects are moderately mobile phone dependent and 5(5%) subjects are severely mobile phone dependent. Findings related to Physical health problems: 1. From the findings of the present study it is evident that 33% are having earache, 37% are having sound in ear and 30% are having hotness on the ear due to excessive use of mobile phones.2. Majority 48% subjects are having eye irritation due to long term use of mobile phone, 30% are having blurred vision and 22% are having redness of eyes. 3. Maximum of subjects 57% are having thumb pain, 22% are having tingling sensation and 21% are having hotness of palms. 4. Majority 54% subjects are having awake up due to phone alarm, 19% are delayed go to sleep and 27% are having problem with decrease sleep due to long term use of mobile phone. 5. 59% of the adolescents are having shoulder pain, 18% are having neck pain, 12% are facing back pain problem and 11% are facing other problems. Findings related to Social life problems: The findings of the present study suggested that majority 61% of the adolescents are having moderate social life problem, 32% are having mild social life problems and 7% are having severe social life problems. It is also evident from the present study that there is a positive co relation (r=0.566528) between mobile phone dependency and social life problems. Finding related to association findings of mobile phone dependency with demographic variable: There is a significant association between age, the time spent per day for using mobile phone and 10th std examination result and mobile phone dependency (p=