The Influence of Smartphone Addiction on Cognitive Functioning: Exploring the Mediating Role of Sleep Quality and Perceived Stress

Abstract

The rapid increase in smartphone usage has significantly influenced different aspects of daily life, including cognitive and psychological well-being. This research investigates the impact of Smartphone Addiction (SPA) on Cognitive Functioning (CF), with a focus on the mediating roles of Sleep Quality (SQ) and Perceived Stress (PS). The findings highlight a profound negative relationship between SPA and CF, both directly and indirectly through its effects on SQ and PS. SPA was found to be negatively correlated with SQ while positively correlated with PS, contributing to cognitive impairments. Furthermore, mediation analysis shows that SQ and PS partially mediate the relationship between SPA and CF. The data were collected from 310 participants using standardized scales such as the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Cognitive Functioning Self-Assessment Scale (CFSS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and were analyzed using SPSS and the Hayes Process Macro. This study provides profound insights into the complex association between excessive smartphone use, sleep disturbances, stress, and cognitive health. The findings underscore the need for interventions to manage smartphone addiction, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress levels to protect cognitive functioning. The research adds to the expanding literature by inclusion of SQ and PS as mediators in the relationship between SPA and CF, highlighting practical recommendations for dealing with the adverse effects of smartphone abuse. Future research should consider larger and more diverse samples to improve the generalizability of finding.