Measuring Selected M-Texting Addiction Indicators with Gender and Self-Esteem

Abstract

The unprecedented level of both frustration and sensation-seeking behaviour among a majority of tertiary students has contributed to the mobile-device becoming a universal social destination for young people. Notwithstanding this fact, as the colossal explosion of mobile devices continues to proliferate, so do their abuses and various other problematic behaviours. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to identify the underlying M-texting addiction indicators that are pertinent among students within a South African university. The secondary purpose of this study was to investigate whether demographic and psychological attributes of individuals were related to M-texting addiction. A quantitative survey was conducted on a probability sample of 187 tertiary students. Exploratory factor analysis identified four M-texting addiction indicators. Reliability assessment using Cronbach alpha coefficients indicated adequate internal reliability and homogeneity among the scale items (? > 0.70). From the study, it emerged that there was statistical and practical significance between the withdrawal, dependence and productivity loss dimensions with gender (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that mobile technology addictions remain paradoxical in that the victims use texting to become isolated, and this invariably leads to lower self-esteem. In relation to this, statistical and practical significance were established along the withdrawal and dependency dimensions (p <0.05) when tested across the social self-esteem personality attribute. A clear understanding of M-texting addiction detection through educational intervention programmes can provide opportunities for designing new capabilities that will support healthy usage of mobile devices among students.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p489