Asian J Psychiatr. 2017 Jun;27:76-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2017.02.012.
Mohammadbeigi A1, Mohammadsalehi N2, Moshiri E3, Anbari Z4, Ahmadi A5, Ansari H6.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Mobile phone abuse can cause pathologic stress that may lead to addictive behavior such as Phantom Vibration Syndrome (PVS) and Phantom Ringing Syndrome (PRS). The current study aimed to determine the PVS and PRS due to mobile phone use in students of Qom University of medical Sciences in Iran.
DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study.
PARTICIPANTS:
The participants were 380 students selected by proportional stratified random sampling method in each stratum.
MEASUREMENTS:
Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistical methods including t-test, chi square and analysis of variance.
FINDINGS:
The prevalence of PVS and PRS due to mobile phones in students of medical sciences was estimated to be 54.3% and 49.3%, respectively. PVS was higher in female students than in males while the PRS was higher in male students. There was a significant relationship between PVS and using social networks such as Viber, WhatsApp, and Line. In addition, a significant association was observed between PVS and friend-finding, chatting and entertainment.
CONCLUSION:
Studies should be done in the future to assess the long-term complication of overusing mobile phones. In the current study, the prevalence of PVS and PRS in half of students is considerable.
KEYWORDS: Iran; Medical students; Mobile phone; Phantom ringing; Phantom vibration; Smartphone; Syndrome
PMID: 28558902
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2017.02.012
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