JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet or Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review and meta-Analysis.

  • Published In: Psychological Reports, 2025, v. 128, n. 3. P. 1429 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ge, Meng-Wei; Hu, Fei-Hong; Jia, Yi-Jie; Tang, Wen; Zhang, Wan-Qing; Zhao, Dan-Yan; Shen, Wang-Qin; Chen, Hong-Lin 3 of 3

Abstract

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the association between loneliness and smartphone addiction (SA) or internet addiction (IA) among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. Based on 24 observational studies with a total sample of 27,843 adolescents, the pooled correlation coefficient (r = 0.252) indicates a moderate positive relationship between loneliness and SA or IA. Subgroup analyses reveal that this association varies by country, sample source, loneliness measurement scale, and addiction type, while meta-regression shows no significant effect of age. The findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological and behavioral issues related to loneliness and digital addiction in adolescent populations, though limitations include geographic concentration of studies and predominance of cross-sectional designs.

Additional Information

  • Source:Psychological Reports. 2025/06, Vol. 128, Issue 3, p1429
  • Document Type:Literature Review
  • Subject Area:Psychology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0033-2941
  • DOI:10.1177/00332941231180119
  • Accession Number:184323324
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