The Prevalence and Psychological Impact of Smartphone Addiction among University Students in Ghana. A Case Study of Kumasi Technical University (KSTU).

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its psychological impacts among students at Kumasi Technical University.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A concurrent quantitative design using a structured questionnaire was employed. Stratified random sampling selected 333 students. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS to examine prevalence levels and relationships between smartphone addiction and psychological outcomes.
Findings: Results indicate a high prevalence of smartphone addiction among students, significantly associated with anxiety, depression, stress, sleep disturbances, and reduced academic performance. Peer influence, social media culture, and societal expectations strongly shaped usage patterns. Females and younger students showed higher dependency levels.
Originality: This study provides Ghana-specific empirical evidence on smartphone addiction by integrating prevalence, psychological effects, and socio-cultural drivers within a unified analytical framework, addressing a major contextual gap in African higher education research.
Practical Implications: The findings support the need for digital well-being policies, counselling interventions, peer-led awareness programs, and structured smartphone-based learning strategies to promote responsible usage, improve mental health, and enhance academic productivity among university students.
Research Limitations: The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and reliance on self-reported data may introduce response bias. The study focused on a single institution, restricting generalisability. Future research should adopt longitudinal, multi-site, and mixed qualitative approaches to deepen contextual understanding.