Smartphone off - Regeneration on

Modern information and communication technology and the smartphone in particular involve connectivity and higher productivity on the one hand, on the other hand it can lead to detrimental effects on the physical and psychological health. In a ten-day diary study with 19 student smartphone users (N = 209 data points) business psychologist Cassandra Zinn examined the relationship between smartphone abstinence and daily recovery for the first time in an empirical study.

Based on psychological research on stress prevention and the impact of smart phone use it has been assumed that smartphone abstinence is negatively related to craving for using the smartphone to get access to the internet, WhatsApp, Instagram and other desired channels of information and entertainment. The individual self-control capability is expected to have a moderating effect on this relation. Smartphone abstinence is expected to foster daily recovery experiences and to undermine daily exhaustion usually generated by smartphone use.

The statistical regression analyses of the daily assessment of one's craving and exhaustion levels demonstrate that smartphone abstinence reduces daily craving for smartphone use, diminishes exhaustion and supports recovery. Day by day, the longing for having access to the smartphone decreased and regretting effects kicked in. In contrast to the hypothesis, the capability of self-regulation did not have a moderating effect.

The findings of this study put emphasis on the importance of smartphone-off-periods concerning the individual well-being and health. Schools, universities and organizations but also restaurants, spas or other locations should consider nudging smartphone-free areas to support their guests' and customers to truly switch off.

The study has been published in the Issue 1/2 of the research magazine "Wirtschaftspsychologie" (in German). #