Associations between smartphone use, loneliness, and perceived social support among adults receiving community mental health services: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Smartphone use has become an indispensable part of modern life. This study examined the associations between smartphone use, loneliness, and perceived social support among adults attending a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC).

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 250 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder. Data were collected between May and August 2023 using the Demographic and Smartphone-Use Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Nearly all participants owned a smartphone (99.6%). Smartphones were used primarily for communication, followed by sharing and entertainment. Most participants reported checking their smartphones fewer than 30 times per day and using them for less than 2 h daily. The mean UCLA Loneliness Scale score was 55.8 ± 14.3, while the mean MSPSS total score was 44.9 ± 15.3. More frequent smartphone checking was associated with lower loneliness and higher perceived social support (p < .001). Loneliness was negatively correlated with perceived social support, with the strongest association observed for friend support. Perceived social support explained 46% of the variance in loneliness.

CONCLUSION

Adults receiving community mental health services reported high loneliness and moderate perceived social support. More frequent smartphone use was associated with lower loneliness and higher perceived social support, while social support emerged as an important correlate of loneliness.