Category
Applied
Description
Past research on digital restriction has shown that limiting smartphone usage could have a significant effect on psychological well-being. We also propose that smartphone restriction could have an effect on physiological well-being. To understand these effects, we completed a mixed-methods randomized delayed intervention factorial experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to smartphone restriction immediately (1A) or delayed (1B), or social media restriction immediately (2A) or delayed (2B). During each lab visit (baseline, two weeks, and four weeks), data on perceived well-being and smartphone screentime logs were collected. To assess physiological well-being, heart rate variability (HRV) was collected using Polar-brand H10 chest straps. At the last lab visit, qualitative data were collected about the feasibility and perceived efficacy of the intervention and what activities participants engaged in while restricting their digital use. Additionally, ecological momentary assessments (loneliness, FOMO, and mood) were assessed via text responses each day throughout the study. Analysis includes repeated measures ANOVAs, multi-level modeling, and thematic analysis. Applications for this study could indicate that healthier usage of certain smartphone functions may lead to better psychological and physiological outcomes. Future directions for this study will include investigating the different effects that restricting phone usage has when compared to mindfulness interventions, as well as utilizing Polar-brand watches to monitor ecological data more consistently.
The Effects of Digital Restriction on Psychological and Physiological Well-Being
Applied
Past research on digital restriction has shown that limiting smartphone usage could have a significant effect on psychological well-being. We also propose that smartphone restriction could have an effect on physiological well-being. To understand these effects, we completed a mixed-methods randomized delayed intervention factorial experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to smartphone restriction immediately (1A) or delayed (1B), or social media restriction immediately (2A) or delayed (2B). During each lab visit (baseline, two weeks, and four weeks), data on perceived well-being and smartphone screentime logs were collected. To assess physiological well-being, heart rate variability (HRV) was collected using Polar-brand H10 chest straps. At the last lab visit, qualitative data were collected about the feasibility and perceived efficacy of the intervention and what activities participants engaged in while restricting their digital use. Additionally, ecological momentary assessments (loneliness, FOMO, and mood) were assessed via text responses each day throughout the study. Analysis includes repeated measures ANOVAs, multi-level modeling, and thematic analysis. Applications for this study could indicate that healthier usage of certain smartphone functions may lead to better psychological and physiological outcomes. Future directions for this study will include investigating the different effects that restricting phone usage has when compared to mindfulness interventions, as well as utilizing Polar-brand watches to monitor ecological data more consistently.
