Relationship between self-control and attitude toward delay and subjective and objective time spent using iPhone among university students

Abstract

This study examined how university students’ self-control and attitude toward delay relate to their smartphone usage time. The study focuses on both subjective and objective smartphone usage time. Participants were 74 university students who use iPhones. First, we conducted a correlation analysis by measuring subjective and objective usage time for online use such as SNS, online video viewing, and games. Next, participants’ personal characteristics, such as self-control and attitude toward delay, were measured using a 6-item method and a 5-item method, respectively. Consequently, the study found a positive correlation between subjective and objective usage time for "SNS" and "games" during 24 hours. However, no correlation was found between "videos and the Internet" or "total time ". Additionally, a positive correlation was found with external control and a negative correlation with reformative self-control scores in subjective time spent on "video and Internet". Conversely, the score of reformative self-control negatively correlated with subjective time for "video and Internet", but no correlation was found with objective time for "video and internet." The findings suggest that self-control and smartphone use differ regarding subjective and objective measures, including the purpose of use.