Psychological predictors of problem mobile phone use.

Bianchi A, Phillips JG.

Cyberpsychol Behav. 8(1):39-51, 2005

Mobile phone use is banned or illegal under certain circumstances and in some jurisdictions. Nevertheless, some people still use their mobile phones despite recognized safety concerns, legislation, and informal bans. Drawing potential predictors from the addiction literature, this study sought to predict usage and, specifically, problematic mobile phone use from extraversion, self-esteem, neuroticism, gender, and age.

To measure problem use, the MobilePhoneProblem was devised and validated as a reliable self-report instrument, against the AddictionPotentialScale and overall mobile phone usage levels.

Problem use was a function of age, extraversion, and low self-esteem, but not neuroticism. As extraverts are more likely to take risks, and young drivers feature prominently in automobile accidents, this study supports community concerns about mobile phone use, and identifies groups that should be targeted in any intervention campaigns.