Evolution of Problematic Mobile Phone Use in the Spanish Population over the Last Decade.

ABSTRACT: This study assessed problematic mobile phone use in the Spanish population between 2014 and 2025 using the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS) and the Mobile Phone Addiction Craving Scale (MPACS). Two online surveys were conducted in 2018 (n = 1612) and 2024 (n = 2001) across Spain's 17 autonomous communities, with analyses by gender, age, occupation, education level, and population size. Data were compared with a 2014 baseline study (n = 1126). The prevalence of problematic mobile phone use declined slightly from 5.1% in 2014 to 4.8% in 2018 and 3.2% in 2024. Users reporting difficulties controlling their phone use (problematic and at-risk users) also decreased from 20.5% in 2014 to 18.8% in 2024. However, the severity of problematic use increased over the decade, as reflected by r

SUBMITTER: de-Sola J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838345 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature