Use of mobile phones and the presence of anxiety, depression, and stress disorders among university students in Honduras

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35622/

Keywords:

affectivity, university student, mental health, information technology, mobile phone

Abstract

The excessive use of mobile phones is a growing issue that particularly affects university students. The aim of this research is to examine how the use of these devices is related to psycho-emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress among university students. The study adopted a quantitative approach, with a descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional design, since the instrument was applied at a single point in time. Validated psychological tools were employed: the MULTICAGE-TIC, which identifies emotional problems associated with excessive technology use, and the DASS-21, which measures the severity of mental health-related symptoms. Both instruments demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.797) and enabled the analysis of a representative sample of 407 students, aged between 16 and 54 years. More than 50% of respondents reported experiencing some degree of anxiety, stress, or depression, while 35.4% showed a marked dependence on mobile phones. The study highlights that using these devices for more than four hours a day is associated with an increase in psycho-emotional problems. It emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue not only at the individual level but also through public policies that promote responsible technology use, particularly in educational settings. Furthermore, it underscores the need to implement effective strategies that mitigate the negative effects of excessive mobile device use and protect the emotional well-being of university students.

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References

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Published

2025-01-19

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How to Cite

Rivera-Ferrera, N., & Hashimoto, C. (2025). Use of mobile phones and the presence of anxiety, depression, and stress disorders among university students in Honduras. Revista Estudios Psicológicos, 5(1), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.35622/

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