Young women at higher risk for social anxiety due to exessive smartphone use

By Stephen Beech

Young women are more likely than men to suffer higher social anxiety due to excessive smartphone use, reveals new research.

Gender was significantly linked to the amount of time spent using the devices and the fear of being judged negatively by others online, according to the findings.

Researchers set out to investigate problematic smartphone use, mental well-being, emotional regulation and social anxiety differences between genders so that a stronger understanding can be built of the smartphone addiction process.

The study involved 400 young adults, with an average age of 25.9, 73.2% of whom were women.

The findings showed that gender accounts for "significant" differences in mediating factors - such as time of use per day and fear of negative perception - that affect problematic smartphone use.

Young women spent far longer using smartphones than men of the same age, according to the study.

Lead investigator Dr. Csibi Sándor, of George Emil Palade University of Medicine in Romania, said: "These results point to serious differences between genders in that females are much more likely to suffer mental ill health at the hands of a smartphone.

"Our study also reveals the influence of social interactivity, low emotional understanding and variations in perceived social support that could be caused by problematic smartphone use."

Co-author Neha Pirwani, of Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, said: “Our findings add to previous studies showing that females can face increased suffering and therefore need additional attention, guidance and help compared with other genders, to identify problematic smartphone use and what this may lead to.

"Our continued work to further understand the causes and effects of this is key to addressing these issues amongst the younger generation.”

Dr. Sándor added: "It is important that these areas are further researched so we can work to build our understanding of these behavior differences between genders and what methods need to be put in place to support these individuals.”

The findings were presented at the European Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid, Spain.

Professor Geert Dom, President of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), said: “Nearly 100% of Generation Z own and use a smartphone.

"There is already evidence from a variety of cross-sectional, longitudinal and empirical studies implicating smartphone and social media use being factors in the increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior and suicidality among this age group."

He added: "This is an area that must be given further attention so that any detrimental areas can be addressed quickly.”