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Title EXPLORING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USAGE, SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION APPS USE UTILIZING EXPLORATORY GRAPH ANALYSIS

Author(s) Nighat Perveen

Abstract Modern lifestyles have been profoundly impacted by the ubiquitous use of smartphone, which has raised concerns regarding the potential effects on well-being. Satisfaction with life (SWL) and Problematic Internet Use (PIU) have become vital constructs for understanding how excessive smartphone usage affects individuals. However, the relationship between PIU dimensions, SWL, and category-wise smartphone app usage remains inadequately explored, particularly when combining subjective assessments and objective app usage data. Recent studies have overlooked the relationships among PIU, SWL, and category-wise smartphone app usage while exploring the central roles of key variables and clustering patterns. A better knowledge of these relationships is required to address the issues raised by excessive smartphone use and its implications for well-being. Data from 269 individuals was gathered using a digital well-being app for this study, and exploratory graph analysis (EGA) was used to evaluate the data. The SWL Scale and the PIU Questionnaire Short-Form (PIUQ-SF-6) were filled out by participants. Their use of smartphones was tracked for few months aiming to capture the apps use patterns. The descriptive analysis, co-relations analysis, EGA were deployed to study the nature of data, relationships, and to uncover the association, centrality, and clustering between PIU, SWL, and category-wase smartphone apps usage. The study found strong relationships between PIU dimensions and SWL. Category-wise app usage, particularly social media and communication apps was strongly linked to negative PIU outcomes and lower SWL. Centrality analysis showed key variables driving the network, whilst clustering revealed different behavioral patterns associated with app usage and well-being. The findings emphasize the necessity of tailored interventions in reducing the negative impacts of excessive app usage and improving digital well-being. This study lays the framework for future studies and practical applications in promoting healthier digital behaviors by providing a more in-depth understanding of their dynamics.

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Engineering and Computer Science

Department Computer Science

Language English

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