The Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Aggression in University Students

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of smartphone addiction on students’ aggression.Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted between January and June 2023 with 380 students enrolled in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Vocational School of a university in Türkiye. A general information form, smartphone addiction scale, and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire was completed.Results: Students’ mean smartphone addiction score was 26.77±11.711. 35.7% of female and 21.3% of male were addicted to smartphones. According to the aggression scale, physical aggression was 19.80±7.023, verbal aggression was 13.53±4.016, hostility was 22.78±7.298, anger was 17.83±5.988 and total aggression was 73.95±20.254. There was a weak positive linear relationship between students’ smartphone addiction and physical aggression, verbal aggression, hostility, anger and total aggression scores and phone usage time. Smartphone addiction was a statistically significant predictor of physical aggression, verbal aggression, hostility, anger and total aggression scores.Conclusion: Smartphone addiction was correlated with increased aggression in university students. Initiatives should therefore be taken to control smartphone use, raise awareness of addiction and prevent aggression.