Patterns of Cell Phone Usage and Associated Factors Among College Students

The aim of the study was to explore patterns of cell phone usage, and the activities that contribute to cell phone dependency among college students. This is a mixed methods study. Chi-Square computed on data from 400 participants indicated that messaging was the popular reason for the mobile phone usage. Analysis also suggested that participants partook differently across various activities. Qualitative data was explored using thematic analysis. Forty college students with high cell phone dependency scores on the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPS) were interviewed though semi-structured questions in an in-depth interview. The themes identified in their responses were tabulated and were also compared across theoretical frameworks that discuss cell phone use and dependence. The study provides direction for further investigation of cell-phone dependency and addictive symptom patterns among youth.