IS HEALTH AT RISK? A QUANTITATIVE STUDY ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE MOBILE APPLICATION USE ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING AMONG ADULTS IN SAUDI ARABIA.

Excessive app use exceeding 4 hours per day was highly prevalent among the study population.

• A total of 823 participants completed the survey using a cross-sectional design.
• The study was conducted among adults in Saudi Arabia, where smartphone penetration is described as 'remarkably high.'
• Usage patterns were assessed via a validated survey including sociodemographic variables and app usage patterns.
• Social media, entertainment, and gaming apps were the primary categories associated with excessive use.

Eye strain, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches were the most frequently reported physical symptoms associated with mobile application use.

• Physical symptoms were assessed as part of a validated survey instrument.
• Musculoskeletal discomfort and visual strain were among the primary physical health concerns identified.
• These symptoms were linked specifically to excessive daily app use.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, chi-square tests, correlations, and regression models to evaluate predictors of health outcomes.

Insomnia, anxiety, and depression were common psychological complaints among participants with excessive mobile application use.

• Psychological status was assessed using the DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales).
• Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with longer app use, shorter sleep duration, and anxiety.
• Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
• Regression models were used to evaluate predictors of psychological health outcomes.

Participants demonstrated moderate to high nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile phone), with frequent reports of discomfort and anxiety when disconnected from their phones.

• Nomophobia was assessed using the NMP-Q (Nomophobia Questionnaire).
• Participants 'frequently reporting discomfort and anxiety when disconnected from their phones.'
• Nomophobia scores revealed 'moderate to high dependency' across the sample.
• The NMP-Q was one of three validated instruments used alongside the PSQI and DASS-21.

Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with longer app use duration, shorter sleep duration, and anxiety.

• Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
• The association between poor sleep and app use was evaluated using chi-square tests and regression models.
• Both the duration of app use and the psychological variable of anxiety were identified as significant predictors of poor sleep quality.
• This finding was consistent with the broader pattern linking excessive use to multiple negative health outcomes.

The study identified a strong relationship between mobile application overuse and negative physical and mental health outcomes, calling for clinical, public health, and policy interventions.

• The authors call for 'greater attention in clinical practice, targeted public health interventions, and national policies to promote balanced and mindful technology use.'
• The study used a cross-sectional design with 823 adult participants in Saudi Arabia.
• Findings highlight that excessive use of social media, entertainment, and gaming apps specifically was linked to impaired sleep, physical discomfort, and psychological distress.
• The study incorporated multiple validated instruments (PSQI, NMP-Q, DASS-21) and multiple statistical approaches to robustly assess the associations.