Problematic Smartphone Use Scale (PSUS)
Problematic Smartphone Use Scale · Also known as: PSUS, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Mobile Phone Addiction
The PSUS is a self-report questionnaire measuring compulsive smartphone use, withdrawal symptoms, and loss of control related to mobile devices. Developed by Hussain, Griffiths, and Sheffield in 2017, it targets the growing phenomenon of smartphone addiction in the digital age. The PSUS captures how smartphone dependence differs from general internet addiction, with particular focus on the constant connectivity and notification-driven engagement of mobile devices. Related instruments include the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) by Kwon and colleagues, which focuses on adolescents.
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When to use it
The PSUS is recommended for screening problematic smartphone use in adolescents and young adults, particularly in educational and clinical settings. It is appropriate for ages 12+. The PSUS is valuable for identifying individuals whose phone use is interfering with sleep, academics, social relationships, or mental health. It can guide referral to mental health specialists and inform parental conversations about technology boundaries. The PSUS is less appropriate as a diagnostic tool (no formal diagnosis of 'smartphone addiction' exists) or as the sole measure of technology use; it should be combined with behavioral and functional assessment.
Strengths & limitations
- Targeted to smartphone-specific engagement patterns — captures the unique psychological and design features of smartphone devices (notifications, apps, social media) that differ from general internet addiction.
- Practical brevity — modern versions are relatively short (10–27 items), allowing rapid screening in clinical and educational contexts.
- Strong psychometric properties in recent versions — good internal consistency and test-retest reliability across adolescent and adult samples.
- Multiple versions available — full and short forms allow flexibility depending on time and setting.
- Validated in diverse cultures — translations in 20+ languages and validation across East Asian, European, and Middle Eastern populations.
- Limited formal diagnostic status — smartphone addiction is not in DSM-5 or ICD-11; the PSUS is a screening tool for problematic use, not diagnosis of a disorder.
- May conflate heavy use with problematic use — individuals who rely on smartphones for work or online education may score high without true addiction-related impairment.
- Does not assess specific app use — generic smartphone use differs from targeted problematic behaviors (social media addiction, gaming, sexting). A more specific measure may be needed.
- Cultural variation in smartphone norms — smartphone saturation and daily use norms vary dramatically by country; cut-off scores may not be universally applicable.
- Limited mechanism assessment — measures behavior but not underlying neurobiological factors (reward sensitivity, impulse control deficits, ADHD).
Frequently asked
Is smartphone addiction a real diagnosis?
Smartphone addiction is not in DSM-5 or ICD-11 as a formal diagnosis, though problematic internet use and internet gaming disorder are being studied. The PSUS screens for problematic smartphone use, a behavior or symptom cluster, not a diagnosed disorder. If you score high on PSUS, discuss with a mental health professional about functional impact on sleep, school/work, and relationships to determine if intervention is warranted.
I spend 8 hours a day on my phone. Does this mean I have smartphone addiction?
Time alone does not indicate addiction. Eight hours daily is concerning if it's escapism or compulsive, but typical if you're a remote worker, online student, or content creator. Assess: Can you go an hour without checking your phone comfortably? Does your phone use interfere with sleep, relationships, or responsibilities? Does separation from your phone cause anxiety? If yes to these, score the PSUS and discuss with a healthcare provider.
What can I do if I have problematic smartphone use?
Strategies include: set specific times when phones are off (meals, 1 hour before bed, during work/study), use app limiters to cap daily usage, remove social media apps and re-download only when needed, keep phone outside bedroom at night, and find offline activities (exercise, hobbies, face-to-face socializing) to replace phone time. If these do not work and you're experiencing significant distress or functional impairment, seek help from a mental health professional.
Should I be worried about my teenager's PSUS score of 52?
A score of 52 suggests moderate problematic smartphone use. Observe actual impact: Are grades dropping? Is sleep affected? Are relationships suffering? Has your teen expressed distress about phone use? If yes to these, address boundaries and consider a brief intervention (app limits, phone-free family time, etc.). If no functional impact, the score may reflect normative adolescent engagement. Monitor over time and discuss with your teen about their own concerns.
Sources
- Hussain, Z., Griffiths, M. D., & Sheffield, D. (2017). An investigation into problematic smartphone use: The role of narcissism, anxiety, and personality factors. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(3), 378–386. DOI: 10.1556/2006.6.2017.052 ↗
- Kwon, M., Kim, D. J., Cho, H., & Yang, S. (2013). The Smartphone Addiction Scale: Development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLOS ONE, 8(12), e83558. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083558 ↗
- Chen, I. H., Pakpour, A. H., Leung, H., et al. (2020). Severe smartphone addiction and its association with depression, quality of life and spending behavior in adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3612. link ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Problematic Smartphone Use Scale. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/clinical-psychology/problematic-smartphone-use-scale
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