| Abstract: |
The study investigated how excessive prevalent smartphone usage has affected sleep quality, physical health and health information retention in young adults considering the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) as guides. UGT offers a reason why such motivational drivers as stress reduction and contact with people, and CLT overlooks an intellectual burden that cannot support the acquisition of knowledge and retention. The method of survey was used, whereby 385 young adults representing four towns within Anambra South Senatorial District in Nigeria under multi-stage sampling technique were utilised in the study. It was collected with a 5-point validated Likert scale instrument (Cronbach alpha = 0.80). The findings suggested that using smartphones late at night leads to a serious disruption of the circadian cycle, decreases the amount of sleep, and decreases sleep quality. Long hours of screen time ended up in visual strain, musculoskeletal pains and inactive lifestyles whereas multitasking and discontinuous digital engagement negatively affected the ability to retain health-related information. A synthesis of the study of UGT and CLT indicated that, although, to meet social and psychological needs, use of smart phone may be satisfactory, uncontrolled use develops compulsive tendencies accompanied by negative physiological and cognitive outcomes. Digital curfews, ergonomic training, and management of cognitive loads were some of the measures that the study proposed to promote sleep hygiene, physical development, and memorisation of information in young adults.
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