The Interplay between Smartphone Addiction, Emotional Regulation, and Cognitive Distortions among Young Adults in Kerala

Abstract

Smartphone dependency is increasing among young adults and may be influenced by underlying emotional and cognitive factors. A quantitative, correlational research design was used, involving 230 participants aged 18 to 25 years, chosen using purposive sampling. Data were gathered with standardised tools: Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS- SV), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire – Short Form (ERQ-S), and Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest); and analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations. The findings showed that while there was no difference in cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression was much higher in those with high smartphone addiction. Participants with smartphone addictions also showed much more screen time and cognitive distortions. Among non-addicted users, cognitive reappraisal and cognitive distortions showed a strong negative correlation; however, no significant correlations were discovered within the addicted population. Only expressive suppression showed gender differences, with men using this strategy more frequently. The results imply that problematic smartphone use may be influenced by cognitive biases and inappropriate emotional control. The implications for preventive mental health programs, emotional skills training, and digital well-being interventions have been discussed.