Predicting the Smartphone Addiction Based on Depression, Fear of Missing Out, and Identity Diffusion

The present study aimed to investigate the role of depression, identity diffusion, and fear of missing out in predicting smartphone addiction among adolescents in Tehran. The research was a cross-sectional correlational study. 382 high school students in Tehran were selected using convenient sampling method and completed the short form of Smartphone Addiction Scale (Kwon, Kim, Cho & Yang, 2013), Fear of Missing Out Scale (Abel, Buff & Burr, 2016), Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (LeBlanc, Almudevar, Brooks &Kutcher, 2002) and Erikson Psychosocial stage Inventory (Rosenthal, Gurney & moore, 1981). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. The findings showed that all three predictor variables including depression, fear of missing out, and identity diffusion could significantly predict smartphone addiction among adolescents and account for 24 percent of the variance in smartphone addiction among adolescents. Based on these findings preventive programs can be designed not only to reduce depression, fear of missing out, and identity diffusion but also to reduce smartphone addiction among adolescents.