ERIC Number: EJ784485
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Feb
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0140-1971
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Available Date: N/A
Over-Connected? A Qualitative Exploration of the Relationship between Australian Youth and Their Mobile Phones
Walsh, Shari P.; White, Katherine M.; Young, Ross M.
Journal of Adolescence, v31 n1 p77-92 Feb 2008
In Australia, youth are the most prolific users of mobile phones, however, there is little research investigating this phenomenon. This paper reports a qualitative exploration of psychological factors relating to mobile phone use amongst Australian youth. 32 participants, aged between 16 and 24 years, took part in focus group discussions. Thematic data analysis focussed on identifying the psychological benefits arising from mobile phone use and whether mobile phone addiction was occurring amongst this group. Mobile phone use was believed to provide numerous benefits to users and is an intrinsic part of most young people's lives. It emerged that some young people are extremely attached to their mobile phone with symptoms of behavioural addiction revealed in participants' descriptions of their mobile phone use. The study provides a solid foundation for further work investigating addictive patterns of mobile phone use amongst youth.
Descriptors: Substance Abuse, Focus Groups, Young Adults, Foreign Countries, Telecommunications, Data Analysis, Psychology, Internet, Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A