When you’re feeling low, don’t turn to your iPhone for comfort, says a new report out of Michigan State University (MSU). According to researchers, people who rely on their mobile devices for comfort only serve to further diminish their mental health.
Over the course of the study, MSU researchers examined two methods of habitual smart phone use, noting that most users rely on their devices either for entertainment or to alleviate feelings of sadness and depression by seeking out others.
The scientists concluded that the more problematic method of mobile phone use is the latter one. The results of the survey showed that people who seek out electronic comfort from others when they feel low find little—if any—emotional satisfaction from virtual interactions.
Additionally, the study showed that using mobile devices for temporary relief from these negative emotions—including depression and stress—might actually worsen psychological conditions and lead to the development of PUMP, or the “problematic use of mobile phones.”
“Problematic use of mobile phone is fueled in part by the purposeful or deliberate use of the mobile phone to relieve or alleviate negative feelings,” says Prabu David, a researcher out of MSU, “whereas habitual or ritualistic use to pass time is not strongly associated with it.”
David and other researchers agree that using a mobile phone in moderation is not a bad thing. However, it should never replace real human interaction. “The research bears out that despite all the advances we’ve made, there is still a place for meaningful, face-to-face interaction,” he says. “The mobile phone can do a range of things that simulate human interaction. It seduces us into believing it’s real, but the fact remains it’s still synthetic.”
So, next time you’re feeling blue, don’t phone a friend—drop by and visit them instead. Your mind will thank you.
