Effect of Mothers’ Using Smartphone on Their Quality of Life and Family Functions

Naeem, Omnia Elsaied Mostafa Ahmed; Khaton, Samia . E.; Fahmy, Neamat Mazloum Mohamed; Awad, Eman Youssif  Ali

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.435960

Effect of Mothers’ Using Smartphone on Their Quality of Life and Family Functions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonestrator, Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

² Professor of Community Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

³ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing. Tanta University, Egypt

⁴ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing. Tanta University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.435960

Abstract

Background: Smartphone used widely in everyday life. However, mothers' smartphone
overuse and misuse can affect on family quality of life and functions. Aim of the study: to
assess the effect of mothers' using smartphone on their quality of life and family functions.
Design: A descriptive cross-sectional research design. Setting: This study was conducted at
(MCH) Centers at Tanta City. Subjects: A convenience sampling of 700 mothers. Tools: Four
tools were used. Tool (I): Mothers’ knowledge regarding smartphone use consisted two parts:
part (1): Socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers. Part (2): Smartphone use
knowledge questionnaire. Tool (II): Smartphone addiction scale (SAS). Tool (III): Family
quality of life (FQL) scale. Tool (IV): Family Assessment Device (FAD) of McMaster model
Family functioning. Results: about two-thirds (66%) of them had low level of knowledge,
more than two fifth (42.3%) had moderate level of smartphone addiction and more than half
(54.4%) addicting smartphone had unsatisfied FQOL, and the majority (83.1%) of them had
unhealthy family functions. Conclusion: There was a highly statistically significant correlation
between total knowledge score with total smartphone addiction scale and total family
functioning score. Also, there was a statistically significant correlation between total score of
family quality of life and total score of family functioning. The largest percentage of those
having smartphone addiction had an unsatisfied family quality of life and unhealthy family
function. Recommendation: continuous education programs are recommended about effect of
smartphone misuse on FQOL and functions and encouraging them to find alternative such as
sports, shopping, and other outdoor activities rather than smartphone use.