LINKING PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES TO ADDICTION AND IMPROPER USE OF THE MOBILE PHONE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN HONG KONG

The purpose of this study is to (1) identify addiction symptoms that are uniquely associated with mobile phone use among adolescents in Hong Kong; (2) examine how demographics and psychological attributes (such as leisure boredom, sensation seeking, and self‐esteem) of individuals are related to the addiction symptoms; and (3) explore how these attributes, mobile phone addiction symptoms, and social capital can predict improper use of the mobile phone. Data were gathered from a probability sample of 402 teenagers and young adults aged 14–20 in Hong Kong. Exploratory factor analysis identified four addiction symptoms: “losing control and receiving complaints,” “anxiety and craving,” “withdrawal/escape,” and…