Do Chinese and British university students use smartphones differently? A cross-cultural mixed methods study

Background and aims: Although an increasing number of studies have focused on problematic smartphone use and smartphone addiction, few of these studies have employed both quantitative and qualitative methods or employed a cross-cultural design. A limited number of studies have compared eastern and western groups. The present study investigates the prevalence and causes of problematic smartphone use among Chinese and British undergraduates. Methods: A sample of n=778 undergraduates participated in this study (475 Chinese students and 303 British students). Students’ scores on a self-report measure of problematic smartphone use were compared across country and gender. Qualitative data were analyzed using the framework approach. Results: Chinese undergraduates reported significantly higher levels of PSU than British undergraduates, with a medium to large effect size. Females scored significantly higher than males in both groups. Chinese students reported that the sharp transition from a strictly managed high school life to a freer university life affected their level of smartphone use. Conclusions: This study indicates the importance of considering cultural and educational backgrounds when conducting studies on problematic smartphone use.