Does technology affect our psychological well-being? This is a question that has been researched over many years since the advent of social media. However, this question has become even more important since COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing. A study by Horwood & Anglim (2019) sought to examine how smartphone usage affected dimensions of psychological well-being including positive relations, autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, life purpose, and self-acceptance. It was found that increased cellphone usage was related to decreased well-being on all dimensions (Horwood & Anglim, 2019). The largest decreases in well-being were found on negative affect, autonomy, and environmental mastery. It has been suggested that anxiety, negative emotions, poor emotional regulation, and tendencies to use poor coping skills and engage in compulsive behaviors are at the core of this relationship (Horwood & Anglim, 2019). If you are struggling with these issues, give Mountainview Counseling a call. You don’t have to be chained to the phone to get relief from these symptoms. We can help overhaul your emotional regulation system and build healthier relationships!
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References
Horwood, S., & Anglim, J. (2019). Problematic smartphone usage and subjective and psychological well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 97, 44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.02.028