Can disordered mobile phone use be considered a behavioral addiction? An update on current evidence and a comprehensive model for future research

Abstract

peer reviewedDespitethemanypositiveoutcomes,excessivemobile phone use is now often associated with potentially harmfuland/ordisturbingbehaviors(e.g.,symptomsofderegulated use, negative impact on various aspects of daily life such as relationship problems, and work intrusion). Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has generally been considered as a behavioral addiction that shares many features with more established drug addictions. In light of the most recent data, the current paper reviews the validity of the behavioral addictionmodel whenapplied toPMPU.Onthewhole,itisargued that the evidence supporting PMPU as an addictive behavior is scarce. In particular, it lacks studies that definitively show behavioral and neurobiological similarities between mobile phoneaddictionandothertypesoflegitimateaddictivebehaviors. Given this context, an integrative pathway model is proposed that aims to provide a theoretical framework to guide future research in the field of PMPU. This model highlights that PMPU is a heterogeneous and multi-faceted conditio