Smartphone addiction of the youth in Kuwait: an empirical research on the antecedents and the outcome

Abstract EN

The purpose of this research is to identify the antecedents and outcomes of smartphone addiction among the youth in Kuwait, develop a model and empirically test it, so as to make suggestions to the governing bodies to minimize its adverse effects.

A positivist paradigm has been used in this research, and accordingly, a quantitative approach with a survey sampling strategy has been adopted.

The sample size chosen for the study is 236 youth between the age of 15 to 24 years in Kuwait based on convenience sampling.

Among the six direct and seven indirect effects, three and two hypotheses were supported respectively.

The key revelation of the research is that among loneliness, self-regulation, and self-efficacy it is only self-efficacy that has a positive and significant relationship with smartphone addiction.

While smartphone addiction has no significant relationship with family conflict, it does have a positive and significant relationship with personal conflict.

Also, personal conflict has a positive and significant influence on the family concept.

The theoretical implication of the study is in the form of an empirically tested and validated model that relates to the variables of smartphone addiction and practical implications are in the form of suggestions for the consideration of The Ministry of Social Affairs in Kuwait so that the positive aspects associated with the extensive use of smartphone by the youth can be strengthened.