Understanding Mobile Dependency in Adolescents: The Interplayof Gender, Domicile, and Mental Health

Abstract

Adolescent mobile dependency has become an important public health and social issue, affecting the mental, social, and physical well-being of young people. Rising levels of anxiety, depression, reduced face-to-face interaction, and physical health complaints, particularly in the post-COVID-19 period, highlight the need for systematic investigation. This study examined the association between socio-demographic factors and mobile phone dependency and its dimensions among adolescent learners in a government-aided school in Tiruchirappalli district. A descriptive research design was adopted. Out of 204 adolescent students, 190 provided informed consent, and a representative sample of 100 participants was selected using a disproportionate random sampling method. Data were collected in August 2025 through a self-constructed questionnaire and the standardized Test of Mobile Dependency developed by Chóliz, which measures abstinence, loss of control, and tolerance. Interviews were used to obtain responses. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, the Kruskal Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test. The findings revealed that 59 percent of participants exhibited high mobile dependency. A significant difference was observed across age groups with respect to the abstinence dimension of mobile dependency. No significant associations were found between other socio-demographic variables and mobile dependency. The study concludes that adolescent mobile dependency is prevalent and underscores the need for targeted interventions, awareness programs, and counselling initiatives within schools and communities.