ArticlePublisher preview available

Exploring the relationship between personality, decision-making styles, and problematic smartphone use

Authors:
Patricia Urieta at University of Lleida
Patricia Urieta
Miguel A. Sorrel at Autonomous University of Madrid
Miguel A. Sorrel
Anton Aluja
Anton Aluja
Ferran Balada at Autonomous University of Barcelona
Ferran Balada
Show all 6 authorsHide
Read publisher preview
Download citation
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.

Abstract and Figures

Available data indicate that the frequency of Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) has been increasing over the years. Although there is some debate as to whether or not this behavior corresponds to true addiction, comorbidity has been found with problematic outcomes typically related to traditional addictions. Thus, there is interest in better understanding which individual variables interact with this behavior. The present study uses a large sex-balanced sample covering a wide age range to shed light on this question. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between personality, assessed by Zuckerman's alternative five-factor model, and PSU. The possible mediating role of individual decision-making styles as well as the effect of sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, and social position are also investigated. The results indicated a strong association between Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and, to a lesser extent, Sensation Seeking with PSU. The decision-making styles that were most related to the problematic use of smartphones were Avoidant and Spontaneous. Neuroticism, Sensation Seeking, and Aggression explained 24% of the variance of the PSU measure. Only Avoidant showed some incremental validity for this model. However, a mediation analysis by structural equation modeling revealed generally significant indirect effects for Avoidant and Spontaneous, explaining part of the effect of personality on the factor assessed by the PSU measure. The percentage of variance explained for latent scores ranged from 20-32%. The practical implications of the study and future research directions are discussed.
Representation of the structural equation mediation model. VI was specified to be a personality trait (i.e., Aggressiveness is shown but different models were estimated for Activity, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Sensation Seeking) and VD was specified to be the ATeMo latent factor scores. The corresponding facets of each domain can be consulted in the method section. Dotted lines were only included in the models that incorporated the sociodemographic variables. Note that error terms and variances are omitted to facilitate interpretation.
Representation of the structural equation mediation model. VI was specified to be a personality trait (i.e., Aggressiveness is shown but different models were estimated for Activity, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Sensation Seeking) and VD was specified to be the ATeMo latent factor scores. The corresponding facets of each domain can be consulted in the method section. Dotted lines were only included in the models that incorporated the sociodemographic variables. Note that error terms and variances are omitted to facilitate interpretation.
… 
ANOVA mean comparison of ATeMo domains by age range. CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome. Age groups: 1 = 30 years old and below, 2 = 31-40 years old, 3 = 41-50 years old, 4 = 51-60 years old, and 5 = more than 60 years old. Scheffé post-tests comparisons = p < .05. T-test sex comparisons * p < .05, ** p < .01.
ANOVA mean comparison of ATeMo domains by age range. CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome. Age groups: 1 = 30 years old and below, 2 = 31-40 years old, 3 = 41-50 years old, 4 = 51-60 years old, and 5 = more than 60 years old. Scheffé post-tests comparisons = p < .05. T-test sex comparisons * p < .05, ** p < .01.
… 
ANOVA mean comparison of ATeMo domains by Social Position Index ranges: CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome; ATeMo: Total score. 1: Upper; 2: Upper-Middle; 3: Middle; 4; Lower-Middle and 5: Lower. Scheffé post-tests comparisons = p < .05. t-test sex comparisons * p < .05, ** p < .01.
ANOVA mean comparison of ATeMo domains by Social Position Index ranges: CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome; ATeMo: Total score. 1: Upper; 2: Upper-Middle; 3: Middle; 4; Lower-Middle and 5: Lower. Scheffé post-tests comparisons = p < .05. t-test sex comparisons * p < .05, ** p < .01.
… 
Regularized network with tuning = 0 (panel A). The edges represent the relationship among the ZKA-PQ/SF, GDMS, and ATeMO dimensions. The thicker the edge is, the greater is the relationship between dimensions. Blue lines represent positive relationships and red lines represent negative. To further complement this, see on the right the partial correlation matrix (panel B) in which all non-significant correlations at the 95% confidence level were crossed. AG: Aggressiveness; SS: Sensation Seeking; NE: Neuroticism; ACT: Activity; Extraversion; RAT: Rational; INT: Intuitive; DEP: Dependent; AVO: Avoidant; SPO: Spontaneous; CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome.
Regularized network with tuning = 0 (panel A). The edges represent the relationship among the ZKA-PQ/SF, GDMS, and ATeMO dimensions. The thicker the edge is, the greater is the relationship between dimensions. Blue lines represent positive relationships and red lines represent negative. To further complement this, see on the right the partial correlation matrix (panel B) in which all non-significant correlations at the 95% confidence level were crossed. AG: Aggressiveness; SS: Sensation Seeking; NE: Neuroticism; ACT: Activity; Extraversion; RAT: Rational; INT: Intuitive; DEP: Dependent; AVO: Avoidant; SPO: Spontaneous; CRAV: Craving; LC: Loss of Control; NLC: Negative Life Consequences; WS: Withdrawal Syndrome.
… 
Figures - available from: Current Psychology
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
A preview of this full-text is provided by Springer Nature.
Learn more
Content available from Current Psychology
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
Vol:.(1234567890)
Current Psychology (2023) 42:14250–14267
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02731-w
1 3
Exploring therelationship betweenpersonality, decision-making
styles, andproblematic smartphone use
PatriciaUrieta1,2 · MiguelA.Sorrel3 · AntonAluja1,2 · FerranBalada1,4 · ElenaLacomba1,2 · LuisF.García3
Accepted: 15 January 2022 / Published online: 25 January 2022
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022
Abstract
Available data indicate that the frequency of Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) has been increasing over the years.
Although there is some debate as to whether or not this behavior corresponds to true addiction, comorbidity has been found
with problematic outcomes typically related to traditional addictions. Thus, there is interest in better understanding which
individual variables interact with this behavior. The present study uses a large sex-balanced sample covering a wide age range
to shed light on this question. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between personality, assessed
by Zuckerman's alternative five-factor model, and PSU. The possible mediating role of individual decision-making styles
as well as the effect of sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, and social position are also investigated. The results
indicated a strong association between Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and, to a lesser extent, Sensation Seeking with PSU.
The decision-making styles that were most related to the problematic use of smartphones were Avoidant and Spontaneous.
Neuroticism, Sensation Seeking, and Aggression explained 24% of the variance of the PSU measure. Only Avoidant showed
some incremental validity for this model. However, a mediation analysis by structural equation modeling revealed generally
significant indirect effects for Avoidant and Spontaneous, explaining part of the effect of personality on the factor assessed
by the PSU measure. The percentage of variance explained for latent scores ranged from 20-32%. The practical implications
of the study and future research directions are discussed.
Key words Decision-making style· Personality· Zuckerman’s alternative personality traits· Problematic Smartphone Use
The massive globalization of communication technologies
has had an effect on people's behavior around the world,
including social relationships and emotional states (Aker
etal., 2017; Elhai etal., 2020a, 2020b). A recent meta-
analysis focused on smartphone use, with a large sample
of 39,292 participants between 15 and 35 years old from
24 countries, indicated that Problematic Smartphone Use
(PSU)1 is increasing around the world (Olson etal., 2020).
While some researchers consider that the abusive use of
the smartphone can be understood as true addiction (De-
Sola Gutiérrez etal., 2016), others suggest that there is not
enough evidence to consider it an addiction and prefer the
term “problematic use” (Panova & Carbonell, 2018). In a
recent critical review, Orben (2020) notes that the emergence
of new technology has been associated with panic reactions
from society and attention from academia, with a certain
degree of alarmism. For example, in recent years there has
* Miguel A. Sorrel
miguel.sorrel@uam.es
Patricia Urieta
patricia.urieta@udl.cat
Anton Aluja
anton.aluja@udl.cat
Ferran Balada
ferran.balada@uab.cat
Elena Lacomba
elena.lacomba@udl.cat
Luis F. García
luis.garcia@uam.es
1 Lleida Institute forBiomedical Research, Dr. Pifarré
Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
2 University ofLleida, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
3 Department ofSocial Psychology andMethodology,
Autonomous University ofMadrid, Ciudad Universitaria de
Cantoblanco, 28049Madrid, Spain
4 Autonomous University ofBarcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia,
Spain
1 In the past, researchers have used different terms for the mobile
phone, such as cellular phone or cellphone. In this study we will use
the term smartphone.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
... Janis and Mann [2] proposed that decision making is sustained by the presence or absence of conditions from which a coping pattern emerges: a) awareness of serious risks, b) hope of finding the best alternative and c) belief that one can deliberate in time before adopting a decision. Other researchers have continued this search for answers to the individual decision-making process by generating models and attending to related individual variables such as age [3,4], gender [5,6], culture [1] and other psychological variables such as life satisfaction, self-esteem (Filipe et al., 2020), personality [7,10], etc. The research data have been obtained basically through questionnaires that measure different modalities of the general construct of decision making. ...
... Both questionnaires have been adapted and validated to different cultures and languages, including our socio-cultural context, with excellent psychometric properties [7,20]. Although both instruments are based on the general decision-making construct, the MDMQ was designed to assess conflict theory and stress coping patterns and is related to personality and emotions [10,19] .On the other hand, the GDMS is based more on behavioral styles, reactions and habits in specific contexts and depends less on personality, focusing more on adaptive, rational, or intuitive aspects [17]. ...
... Each item consists of three answers that are scored as follows: true, sometimes true and not true. The Spanish version used in this research was validated by De Heredia et al. [20] and the psychometric properties were replicated by Urieta et al. [10]. For the present sample, the reliability coefficients were .74 ...
Psychometric Study of Two Decision-Making Measures: The Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire Versus the General Decision-Making Style
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Jul 2024
This study compares the Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire (MDMQ) and the General Decision-Making Style (GDMS), two of the most widely used decision-making questionnaires in the literature, in a large age- and sex-weighted general population sample of 714 men (45.7%) and 848 women (54.3%) between 18 and 90 years old. The objective was to evaluate the convergent and construct validity between several aspects of decision-making styles questionnaires. The results indicate that the two questionnaires replicate the factorial structure of four and five factors reported in the original studies respectively, through exploratory and confirmatory procedures in our cross-cultural context. The domains of both questionnaires that represent a strong or large correlation are Vigilance with Rational (.50), Hypervigilance, Buck-passing, and Procrastination with Avoidant (.45, .52 and .60). A Structural Equations Model (SEM) between both questionnaires indicates that both latent factors formed by the domains of the MDMQ and the GDMS obtain a correlation of .96. It is concluded that the two questionnaires measure similar aspects of the decision-making construct.
View
... Janis and Mann [2] proposed that decision making is sustained by the presence or absence of conditions from which a coping pattern emerges, including (a) awareness of serious risks, (b) hope of finding the best alternative, and (c) belief that one can deliberate in time before adopting a decision. Other researchers have continued this search for answers to the individual decision-making process by generating models and attending to related individual variables such as age [3,4], gender [5,6], culture [1], and other psychological variables such as life satisfaction, self-esteem, personality [7][8][9][10][11], etc. The research data have been obtained through questionnaires that measure different modalities of the general construct of decision making. ...
... The Dependent style was positively correlated with Neuroticism. The Intuitive style was positively correlated with Extraversion and Sensation Seeking [11]. ...
... The GDMS has been adapted in multiple cross-cultural contexts with similar psychometric properties [29][30][31][32][33][34]. Alacreu-Crespo et al. [8] adapted the GDMS in Spain, and the psychometric properties were replicated recently [11]. This version contains 22 items with a Likert-type response of 5 points (1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree). ...
Psychometric Study of Two Decision-Making Measures: The Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire versus the General Decision-Making Style Questionnaire
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2024
This study compares the Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire (MDMQ) and the General Decision-Making Style questionnaire (GDMS), two of the most widely used decision-making questionnaires in the literature, in a large age- and sex-weighted general population sample of 714 men (45.7%) and 848 women (54.3%) between 18 and 90 years old. The objective was to evaluate the convergent and construct validity between several aspects of these decision-making style questionnaires. The results indicate that the two questionnaires replicate the factorial structure of four and five factors reported in the original studies, respectively, through exploratory and confirmatory procedures in our cross-cultural context. The domains of both questionnaires that represent a strong or large correlation are Vigilance with Rational (0.50), and Hypervigilance, Buck-passing, and Procrastination with Avoidant (0.45, 0.52, and 0.60). A Structural Equations Model (SEM) between both questionnaires indicates that both latent factors formed by the domains of the MDMQ and the GDMS obtain a correlation of 0.96. It is concluded that the two questionnaires measure similar aspects of the decision-making construct.
View
... Janis and Mann [2] proposed that decision making is sustained by the presence or absence of conditions from which a coping pattern emerges: a) awareness of serious risks, b) hope of finding the best alternative and c) belief that one can deliberate in time before adopting a decision. Other researchers have continued this search for answers to the individual decision-making process by generating models and attending to related individual variables such as age [3,4], gender [5,6], culture [1] and other psychological variables such as life satisfaction, self-esteem (Filipe et al., 2020), personality [7,10], etc. The research data have been obtained basically through questionnaires that measure different modalities of the general construct of decision making. ...
... Both questionnaires have been adapted and validated to different cultures and languages, including our socio-cultural context, with excellent psychometric properties [7,20]. Although both instruments are based on the general decision-making construct, the MDMQ was designed to assess conflict theory and stress coping patterns and is related to personality and emotions [10,19] .On the other hand, the GDMS is based more on behavioral styles, reactions and habits in specific contexts and depends less on personality, focusing more on adaptive, rational, or intuitive aspects [17]. ...
... Each item consists of three answers that are scored as follows: true, sometimes true and not true. The Spanish version used in this research was validated by De Heredia et al. [20] and the psychometric properties were replicated by Urieta et al. [10]. For the present sample, the reliability coefficients were .74 ...
Comparative Study of Two Decision-Making Measures: The Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire Versus the General Decision-Making Style
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Jun 2024
This study compares the Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire (MDMQ) and the General Decision-Making Style (GDMS), two of the most widely used decision-making questionnaires in the literature, in a large age- and sex-weighted general population sample of 714 men (45.7%) and 848 women (54.3%) between 18 and 90 years old. The objective was to evaluate the convergent and construct validity between several aspects of decision-making styles questionnaires. The results indicate that the two questionnaires replicate the factorial structure of four and five factors reported in the original studies respectively, through exploratory and confirmatory procedures in our cross-cultural context. The domains of both questionnaires that represent a strong or large correlation are Vigilance with Rational (.50), Hypervigilance, Buck-passing, and Procrastination with Avoidant (.45, .52 and .60). A Structural Equations Model (SEM) between both questionnaires indicates that both latent factors formed by the domains of the MDMQ and the GDMS obtain a correlation of .96. It is concluded that the two questionnaires measure similar aspects of the decision-making construct.
View
... The findings of this study indicate a bidirectional relationship between PSU, sleep quality, and mental health symptoms, which aligns with several prior research findings. [48][49][50][51] Nevertheless, a recent investigation conducted in Pakistan spanning six months revealed that the presence of anxiety and stress symptoms at the initial assessment was indicative of subsequent psychological well-being issues, in contrast to the inverse relationship. 48 One potential explanation arises from the divergent lengths of follow-up periods, which may contribute to disparate manifestations of effects among PSU and mental health symptoms. ...
... [48][49][50][51] Nevertheless, a recent investigation conducted in Pakistan spanning six months revealed that the presence of anxiety and stress symptoms at the initial assessment was indicative of subsequent psychological well-being issues, in contrast to the inverse relationship. 48 One potential explanation arises from the divergent lengths of follow-up periods, which may contribute to disparate manifestations of effects among PSU and mental health symptoms. Two preceding longitudinal investigations, lasting more than one year each, revealed a reciprocal connection between PSU and mental health symptoms. ...
A Longitudinal Investigation on the Reciprocal Relationship of Problematic Smartphone Use with Bedtime Procrastination, Sleep Quality, and Mental Health Among University Students
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2024
Background Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is linked to various mental health issues, but the relationship between PSU, bedtime procrastination, and mental health symptoms is unclear. Sleep factors related to PSU and its mental health effects have been understudied. This study explores the longitudinal associations between PSU, bedtime procrastination, sleep quality, and mental health in university students. Methods In this study, a total of 683 university students participated by completing questionnaires on Smart Phone Addiction (SAS) scale, Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) across two different time points with six-months interval between them. The participants were selected using a cluster sampling technique from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. A cross-lagged model was utilized to assess the longitudinal association between these variables. Results Statistically significant reciprocal associations were found between PSU, bedtime procrastination, and mental health symptoms. PSU at Time 1 significantly predicted PSU at Time 2, bedtime procrastination at Time 2, sleep quality at Time 2, and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Bedtime procrastination at Time 1 predicted PSU at Time 2, sleep quality at Time 2, and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Sleep quality at Time 1 predicted bedtime procrastination at Time 2 and mental health symptoms at Time 2. Mental health symptoms at Time 1 predicted PSU at Time 2 and sleep quality at Time 2. Conclusion The research findings have significantly advanced understanding of the longitudinal connections between PSU, bedtime procrastination, sleep quality, and mental health indicators. This enhanced comprehension is instrumental for psychological practitioners in devising targeted interventions to mitigate such issues among the university student demographic.
View
... Pero también entraña riesgos como pasar excesivo tiempo delante de la pantalla, establecer relaciones con extraños, perder tiempo de otras actividades importantes, etc. Prensky (2001, citado en García-García y Rosado-Millán, 2012) acuñó el término nativos digitales a la generación nacida en la era de la tecnología de la información y la comunicación (TIC), rodeados de teléfonos móviles, ordenadores, reproductores de música, cámaras de video, consolas y videojuegos. Es por eso, que esta generación del siglo XXI tiene presente la tecnología como medio de vida y no se conoce hasta qué punto son conscientes de que esta situación puede estar cambiando su forma de comportarse (García-García y Rosado-Millán, 2012;Olson et al., 2022;Urieta et al., 2022). La tecnología ha pasado de ser un instrumento de trabajo a convertirse en la estructura del contexto social actual en el que se desarrollan niños y adolescentes (Castillo y Ruiz-Olivares, 2019). ...
... De todos los dispositivos y actividades utilizados por los niños y adolescentes destacan el móvil, Internet y videojuegos (Golpe-Ferreiro et al., 2017, Mora-Salgueiro et al., 2022Oliva et al., 2012;Olson et al., 2022;Urieta et al., 2022). Por un lado, el móvil proporciona un espacio privado y personal donde se establecen contactos a corta distancia, y además provee instrumentalidad (alarma, calendario, reloj de bolsillo, nota, etc.) (Chacón-López et al., 2015). ...
Propiedades psicométricas de la “Escala de percepción del riesgo para el uso de la tecnología” en niños y adolescentes
Article
  • Apr 2024
  • BEHAV PSYCHOL
Los objetivos de esta investigación son: 1) crear un instrumento válido y fiable que permita evaluar la percepción del riesgo que tienen del uso de la tecnología (móvil, Internet y videojuegos) niños y adolescentes; y 2) analizar la frecuencia con la que se dan algunas conductas de riesgo en función de la percepción, el uso de la tecnología y la edad. 807 niños y adolescentes de la provincia de Córdoba (España) respondieron una batería ad hoc que recoge información sobre datos sociodemográficos; uso problemático del móvil, internet y videojuegos; y percepción de riesgo con la “Escala de percepción del riesgo del uso de la tecnología para niños y adolescentes” (EPRUT). Los resultados indican que a partir del análisis factorial, la EPRUT cuenta con tres dimensiones que hacen referencia al móvil, Internet y videojuegos. Se han observado diferencias en función de la edad y la percepción de riesgo. Evaluar la percepción del riesgo favorecerá la detección y el desarrollo de programas de prevención de uso de la tecnología en niños y adolescentes.
View
... While self-report measures have provided insights into dispositional predictors of behaviors such as economic decisions (García-Gallego et al., 2017), health outcomes (Bavol'ár & Bačíkova-Slešková, 2018), and problematic smartphone use (Urieta et al., 2022), cognitive tasks are indispensable for uncovering the mechanisms driving these behaviors. Specifically, they help elucidate how individuals focus on relevant information, suppress irrelevant stimuli, and adapt to changing contexts. ...
Jumping to Conclusions: Mechanisms of Cognitive Control in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2025
Cognitive control encompasses mental processes that regulate thoughts and actions to achieve specific goals. It is essential in decision-making, facilitating attention management, impulse inhibition, and adaptation to new information—skills critical for rational choices, particularly under uncertainty. In jumping to conclusions (JTC), where individuals make premature decisions based on limited evidence, cognitive control deficits are often implicated. Cognitive stability helps maintain focus and resist distractions but may lead to premature conclusions if excessive. In contrast, cognitive flexibility supports adaptive decision-making by incorporating new information but may foster hasty decisions if insufficient. This study examined JTC and cognitive control mechanisms in 200 university students. Participants completed the Box Task under varied uncertainty conditions, tasks assessing stability (Flanker–Simon Task) and flexibility (Letter–Number Task), and the BIS/BAS questionnaire. Cluster analysis identified three evidence-gathering profiles: minimal, moderate, and extensive. Significant differences were found between clusters in both flexibility and stability, with individuals in the extensive evidence-gathering cluster showing superior cognitive control. However, higher uncertainty amplified the reliance on flexibility, highlighting its role in adapting to challenging conditions, while stability remained unaffected. No significant association emerged between BIS/BAS indices and Box Task performance. These findings emphasize the interplay between uncertainty, cognitive control, and decision-making, underscoring the need for further research to refine interventions targeting decision-making biases.
View
... The results further indicate that dysfunctional emotion-regulation strategies significantly impact the buck-passing decision-making style. Rumination on negative emotions can increase anxiety and indecisiveness, promoting a tendency to defer decision-making responsibility to others (Urieta et al. 2023). This behavior is often observed in individuals with high levels of anxiety and neuroticism, who doubt their decisions and fear negative outcomes (Berens and Funke 2020). ...
Exploring the Relationship between Decision-Making Styles and Emotion Regulation: A Study of Police Officials in Portuguese Public Security
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2024
In public security policing, where pressure is constant, effective decision-making and emotion regulation are critical, especially for leaders. These processes significantly impact upon work results, performance, officials' health, employee well-being, and the organizational environment. This study aims to broaden the understanding of decision-making styles and emotion-regulation strategies used by police officials in the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP). We surveyed 138 Portuguese high-ranking police officials using two self-response questionnaires, namely the Emotion Regulation in the Workplace (ReTrab) and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ), both translated, adapted, and validated for the Portuguese police context. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted, followed by correlations to explore the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and decision-making styles. Finally, through a regression analysis, the potential impact of this relationship was assessed. The results reveal that specific emotion-regulation strategies, except for adaptive ones, significantly influence and modify the decision-making styles of PSP officials. Dysfunctional and maladaptive emotion-regulation strategies lead to less adaptive decision-making styles, while functional strategies promote more adaptive styles. These findings have theoretical and practical implications, offering valuable insights for targeted training programs and interventions in the law-enforcement sector, benefiting the police personnel, the communities they serve, and public perceptions about police.
View
... Investigating the connection between personality, DMS, and problematic smartphone use (PSU), based on three completed questionnaires (ZKA-PQ/SF, GDMS, and ATeMo) filled in by 1,562 research participants, it was found that avoiding, dependent, and spontaneous styles are positively correlated with PSU, the negative relationship is in case of rational style and null in the case of intuitive. In addition to the problematic use of smartphones, they are connected mainly by avoiding and spontaneous style (Urieta et al., 2023). ...
Introducing the Intensity of Influence in Decision-Making Style Analysis
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2024
Background/Purpose The examination of decision-making styles (DMS) is crucial for understanding how individuals approach choices and form preferences. Two influential frameworks in the DMS discourse, proposed by Scott & Bruce, and Rowe, provide insightful lenses for correlating dominant styles with an array of personal characteristics. Methods This comprehensive study delves into questionnaire results obtained in 2020 and 2022, employing methodologies aligned with Scott & Bruce, and Rowe. The survey targeted cohorts of business and military students, capturing nuanced aspects of decision-making. Introducing innovative concepts, namely submissive DMS and intensity of influence, expanded the analytical framework and facilitated a deeper understanding of decision-making dynamics. Results The analysis revealed substantial variations in decision-making styles within student populations, elucidating correlations with distinct personal characteristics. The incorporation of the intensity of dominance concept allowed for nuanced interpretations, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 period and the subsequent return to normalcy. Conclusion The integration of proposed concepts represents a significant enrichment for future research in the field of DMS. This study underscores the critical role of evolving methodologies in elucidating the intricacies of decision-making processes. The ongoing refinement of these methodologies promises a more nuanced understanding of how individuals navigate complex decision-making scenarios.
View
... [3]) in addition to personality traits (e.g. [90]). Narcissism is one of the personality traits frequently investigated in research on problematic smartphone use. ...
View
... Urieta et al. [30] explored the relationships between the personalities, DMSs, and problematic smartphone use (PSU) of 1,562 respondents aged 18 to 90 using Personality Test (ZKA-PQ/SF), the GDMS test, and the Mobile Phone Abuse Questionnaire (ATeMo). The results indicated that younger individuals are more likely to experience issues with phone memory. ...
Analyzing correlations between approaches to analyzing decision-making styles
Article
  • May 2024
Descriptive decision-making theories center on the analysis of individuals' decision-making styles (DMSs). Different approaches have been used to study DMSs, but this study focuses on two approaches: those of (1) Scott & Bruce and (2) Rowe. Scott & Bruce categorizes DMSs into rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous, whereas Rowe delineates them into analytical, behavioral, conceptual, and directive. Previous studies have independently used these approaches to identify dominant DMSs or to establish correlations between DMSs and various personal characteristics. In this study, both DMS approaches were concurrently used to examine their correlations. The sample comprised 263 students, and correlation analyses were conducted on the entire dataset and its subsets while considering different characteristics (i.e. students' gender and study program, and the data collection timeframe). Multivariate correlation, along with descriptive statistics, was employed to investigate the correlation between the two approaches. The analysis revealed a positive correlation between the behavioral and dependent styles and a negative correlation between the avoidant and analytical styles. Additionally, the examination of the dominant and submissive styles indicated a significant connection between the analytical and rational DMSs. Overall, the two approaches exhibited weak connectivity. For a more comprehensive understanding of decision-makers' behavior and enhanced predictive capabilities, the concurrent application of the two approaches is imperative.
View
Decision-making styles and their associations with decision-making competencies and mental health
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2023
  • JUDGM DECIS MAK
This study investigates the psychometric characteristics of the General Decision-Making Scale (GDMS) on a sample of Slovak high-school and university students. Secondly, it addresses the relationship between decision-making styles and a) decision making competencies and b) mental health as validity criteria. Participants were 427 Slovak high school and university students (64.6% females). The GDMS showed a good internal consistency and its original factor structure was confirmed. Low but significant relationships between the decision-making styles were found. Two decision-making styles served as significant predictors of the general decision-making competency (avoidant and spontaneous) and another two were found to predict mental health. The intuitive decision-making style was a protective factor and the avoidant style was a risk factor.
View
Psychometric Properties of the Five-Factor Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (FFiCD) in Spanish Community Samples
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2021
At present, there are two models of pathological personality represented in two measurement instruments, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and the Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD). Although both instruments have shown high convergence, the PID-5 has the advantage of including facets that might offer greater predictive capacity. An alternative to the PiCD has recently been proposed to overcome this drawback, namely the Five-Factor Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (FFiCD). The present study aims to explore its internal structure and to offer additional validity evidence. Data were collected for a total of 1,409 community individuals from two populations in Spain. They responded to the FFiCD, PiCD, the PID-5/SF, and measures of personality functioning and personality disorder screening (Level of Personality Functioning Scale Self-Report [LPFS-SR] and International Personality Disorder Examination [IPDE]). The internal structure of the FFiCD was analyzed through exploratory factor analysis with oblique and bifactor rotations. The predictive capacity of the domains and facets was examined. The structure reported in the original study was replicated, as were the convergent validity data with respect to the PID-5/SF and the PiCD. Facets were grouped into four factors corresponding to the theoretical domains, including a bipolar Anankastia/Disinhibition factor. High correlations were found with the LPFS-SR, and the patterns of relationships with the IPDE shed light on which aspects of pathological personality contribute most to the 10 traditional personality disorders. In general, validity evidence is provided to support the use of the FFiCD, though four of the 20 facets merit revision so that a simpler factor structure can be obtained. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
View
There Is No Evidence That Associations Between Adolescents’ Digital Technology Engagement and Mental Health Problems Have Increased
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2021
Digital technology is ubiquitous in modern adolescence, and researchers are concerned that it has negative impacts on mental health that, furthermore, increase over time. To investigate whether technology is becoming more harmful, we examined changes in associations between technology engagement and mental health in three nationally representative samples. Results were mixed across types of technology and mental health outcomes: Technology engagement had become less strongly associated with depression in the past decade, but social-media use had become more strongly associated with emotional problems. We detected no changes in five other associations or differential associations by sex. There is therefore little evidence for increases in the associations between adolescents’ technology engagement and mental health. Information about new digital media has been collected for a relatively short time; drawing firm conclusions about changes in their associations with mental health may be premature. We urge transparent and credible collaborations between scientists and technology companies.
View
Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries *
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Smartphone ownership and screen time are increasing across the world, but there have been few attempts to quantify smartphone addiction on a global scale. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies published between 2014 and 2020 that used the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the most common measure of problematic smartphone use. This scale measures whether smartphone use interferes with one's daily life. We focused on studies of teenagers and young adults (aged 15 to 35) since they show the highest screen time and smartphone ownership rates. Across 85 samples, 24 countries, and 39,292 participants, we demonstrate that problematic smartphone use is increasing across the world. China, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia had the highest scores while Switzerland, Germany, and France had the lowest. Our results provide global norms for researchers and can help identify countries that could benefit from targeted interventions.
View
Development of an Offline-Friend Addiction Questionnaire (O-FAQ): Are most people really social addicts?
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2020
  • BEHAV RES METHODS
A growing number of self-report measures aim to define interactions with social media in a pathological behavior framework, often using terminology focused on identifying those who are 'addicted' to engaging with others online. Specifically, measures of 'social media addiction' focus on motivations for online social information seeking, which could relate to motivations for offline social information seeking. However, it could be the case that these same measures could reveal a pattern of friend addiction in general. This study develops the Offline-Friend Addiction Questionnaire (O-FAQ) by re-wording items from highly cited pathological social media use scales to reflect "spending time with friends". Our methodology for validation follows the current literature precedent in the development of social media 'addiction' scales. The O-FAQ had a three-factor solution in an exploratory sample of N = 807 and these factors were stable in a 4-week retest (r = .72 to .86) and was validated against personality traits, and risk-taking behavior, in conceptually plausible directions. Using the same polythetic classification techniques as pathological social media use studies, we were able to classify 69% of our sample as addicted to spending time with their friends. The discussion of our satirical research is a critical reflection on the role of measurement and human sociality in social media research. We question the extent to which connecting with others can be considered an 'addiction' and discuss issues concerning the validation of new 'addiction' measures without relevant medical constructs. Readers should approach our measure with a level of skepticism that should be afforded to current social media addiction measures.
View
The Sisyphean Cycle of Technology Panics
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2020
Widespread concerns about new technologies—whether they be novels, radios, or smartphones—are repeatedly found throughout history. Although tales of past panics are often met with amusement today, current concerns routinely engender large research investments and policy debate. What we learn from studying past technological panics, however, is that these investments are often inefficient and ineffective. What causes technological panics to repeatedly reincarnate? And why does research routinely fail to address them? To answer such questions, I examined the network of political, population, and academic factors driving the Sisyphean cycle of technology panics. In this cycle, psychologists are encouraged to spend time investigating new technologies, and how they affect children and young people, to calm a worried population. Their endeavor, however, is rendered ineffective because of the lack of a theoretical baseline; researchers cannot build on what has been learned researching past technologies of concern. Thus, academic study seemingly restarts for each new technology of interest, which slows down the policy interventions necessary to ensure technologies are benefiting society. In this article, I highlight how the Sisyphean cycle of technology panics stymies psychology’s positive role in steering technological change and the pervasive need for improved research and policy approaches to new technologies.
View
Big five personality traits and problematic mobile phone use: A meta-analytic review
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2022
  • CURR PSYCHOL
This article reports a meta-analysis of the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU). After searching and screening the literature, a total of 36 studies involving 15,660 participants were included in the analysis. Using the random-effects model, the results indicated that neuroticism and extraversion were positively associated with PMPU. Conversely, agreeableness and conscientiousness were negatively associated with PMPU, while openness showed no association with PMPU. The result also showed that culture could moderate the relationship between openness and PMPU. Specifically, the negative relationship between openness and PMPU was not significant in collectivist culture but was significant in individualistic culture. In conclusion, high neuroticism, high extraversion, low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness are associated with PMPU. Moreover, the relationship between neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness and PMPU is relatively stable. Besides, cultural background moderates the relationship between openness and PMPU.
View
Examining the psychometric properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale and its short version for use with emerging adults in the U.S
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2020
The Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) and Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS-SV) were originally developed and validated for use with South Korean adults and adolescents respectively. Despite being frequently used in U.S. adult populations, neither scale has been validated for this purpose. This study seeks to validate both the SAS and SAS-SV for use with U.S. emerging adults. College students ranging in age from 18 to 24 (Mage= 19.2, SD = 1.2, 67.3% female, N = 150) completed the SAS, a modified Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI), and a questionnaire adapted from proposed diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction. Results indicate high internal consistency and concurrent validity of the SAS (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93) and SAS-SV (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84). The six-factor structure of the SAS was not well-replicated and the reliability of the other potential factor structures that emerged appear questionable, suggesting that interpretation in U.S. samples may be better suited at the full scale rather than subscale level. The SAS-SV demonstrated near-equivalent predictive validity and comparable concurrent validity as compared to the SAS, suggesting that the SAS-SV offers a viable and convenient alternative to the SAS.
View
Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries
Article
  • Dec 2021
  • COMPUT HUM BEHAV
Smartphone ownership and screen time are increasing across the world, but there have been few attempts to quantify smartphone addiction on a global scale. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies published between 2014 and 2020 that used the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the most common measure of problematic smartphone use. We focused on adolescents and young adults (aged 15 to 35) since they tend to have the highest screen time and smartphone ownership rates. Across 24 countries, 83 samples, and 33,831 participants, we demonstrate that problematic smartphone use is increasing across the world. China, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia had the highest scores while Germany and France had the lowest. We suggest that the clinical interpretation of these scores should be updated given current global trends.
View
Problematic mobile phone use, nomophobia and decision-making in nursing students mobile and decision-making in nursing students
Article
  • Nov 2020
  • Nurse Educ Pract
The objective of this study was to determine the influence of nomophobia and/or problematic mobile phone use on decision-making in nursing students. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 124 nursing students. The Nomophobia Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale and Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire were used for data collection. Regarding the results, the average total score of the Nomophobia Questionnaire was 69.50 ± 21.08, and the average total score of the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale was 83.60 ± 19.90 points. Positive correlations were found between the dimensions of nomophobia and the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale. Additionally, positive correlations were found between nomophobia and the dimensions of “buck-passing” (rs = 0.263; p = 0.017), procrastination (rs = 0.307; p = 0.011) and hypervigilance (rs = 0.284; p = 0.002) in regards to decision-making. As for the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale, a positive correlation was found between this scale and the procrastination dimension (rs = 0.128; p = 0.015). Problematic mobile phone use and/or nomophobia may have an influence on decision-making in nursing students. Levels of procrastination, hypervigilance and “buck-passing” in nursing students are affected by mobile phone use throughout their training. These factors may affect their academic performance, as well as their relationships with patients and other colleagues.
View