A STUDY OF SMARTPHONE ADDICTION IN RELATION TO SELF-ESTEEM, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, AND GENDER AMONG NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

This study explored the relationships between self-esteem, socioeconomic status, gender, and smartphone addiction among university undergraduates. A descriptive correlational survey design and a multi-stage sampling method were utilised. The sample consisted of 300 undergraduate students. Data collection employed validated instruments, including the Smartphone Addiction Scale (α = 0.79), the General Self-Esteem Scale (α = 0.90), and the Socioeconomic Status Scale (α = 0.87). Findings revealed that male students (mean = 46.4109) exhibited higher levels of smartphone addiction compared to female students (mean = 41.0621). Significant correlations were found between smartphone addiction and self-esteem (r = .981; p < .05), socioeconomic status (r = .245; p < .05), and gender (r = .071; p < .05). Among these variables, socioeconomic status (β = .235; t = 3.337; p < .05) was the strongest predictor of smartphone addiction, followed by self-esteem (β = .189; t = 2.843; p < .05) and gender (β = -.267; t = -4.014; p < .05). The results emphasised the importance of addressing smartphone addiction, especially for undergraduates, as technology continues to advance and reliance on digital devices grows in society.