The role of impulsivity in actual and problematic use of the mobile phone

TLDR

Mobile phone use growth has raised concerns, including debt among young people. This study validates the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ) and examines its relationship with impulsivity. 339 participants completed the PMPUQ and the UPPS, measuring urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking. The PMPUQ reliably measures four dimensions of problematic use—prohibited, dangerous, dependence, and financial problems—and urgency is the strongest impulsivity predictor. © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Several authors have investigated the risks arising from the growth in mobile phone use (e.g. debts incurred by young people). The aims of the present study are (1) to validate a new questionnaire assessing problematic mobile phone use: the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ), and (2) to investigate the relationships between the PMPUQ and the multi‐faceted construct of impulsivity. With these aims, 339 subjects were screened using the PMPUQ and the UPPS Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS) which assesses four distinct components associated with impulsive behaviours (urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance and sensation seeking). The results showed that the PMPUQ has an acceptable fit and assesses four different dimensions of problematic mobile phone use (prohibited use, dangerous use, dependence, financial problems). While each facet of impulsivity played a specific role in mobile phones use, urgency appeared to be the strongest predictor of problematic use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.