INTRODUCTION
The quick
development and widespread use of mobile phones, and their vast effect on
communication and interactions as made it important to study possible negative
health effects of mobile phone exposure. The overall aim of this study was to
investigate whether there are associations between psychosocial aspects of
mobile phone use and mental health symptoms among Nigerians.
People world have
become increasingly enthusiastic in embracing mobile digital communication
equipment (Katz and Aakhus, 2002). Mobile phones in particular have helped to
create this new world (Chen, 2006). Mobile phones, has Coghill (2001) comments,
are “the most radiative domestic appliance ever invented”. More than one out of
six people worldwide now have mobile phones (Katz, 2005) and for many people
the mobile phones has become an essential part of everyday life (Chen, 2006).
Mobile phones are
of varying types and forms from different makers. The varieties of phones are;
the Black Berry (BB), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Techno, amongst others.
This study will focus on Black Berry, developed and designed by Canadian
company named, Research in Motion (RIM, 1999 to date).
Black Berry
devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants,
portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more. They
are primarily known for their ability to send and receive (push) email and
instant messages while maintaining a high level of security through on-device
message encryption. Black Berry devices support a large variety of instant
messaging features, including Black Berry messenger (RIM, 2005).
Black berry
messenger, also known as BBM, software for sending and receiving encrypted instant
messages, voice notes, images and video via Black Berry pin. Some of the BBM
include groups, bar code scanning, lists, shared calendar, BBM music and
integration with applications and games using the BBM social platform.
As Nigerians rely
on the Black Berry phones for business and social network, the level of use of
the device is becoming more worrisome. Black Berry is not only becoming an
indispensable tool for high flying Nigerians, the increasing demand for Black Berry
and current fad as a status symbol could result in widespread health hazards
for Nigerians (Azeez, 2011).
National mirror
survey (2012) reveals that there are over 200.000 Nigerians already hooked to
the BB, now regarded as the most effective and efficient communication tool for
business executive and also for staying connected to friends, relatives and
associates on personal level.
As the BB phones
become cheaper and more sophisticated, sales have become more common (Leung
2001).
Despite whether
excessive use of various technologies, such as mobile phone use, internet
surfing, TV watching, and computer gaming , can be or should be called an
“addiction” (Leung 2001), scholars have argued that excessive use of technology
can be considered problematic (Griffiths, 1998; Griffiths and Hunt, 1998;
Shotton, 1989). Studies have shown that texting and the instant gratification
of getting a text back floods the brain’s pleasure centre with the mood
enhancing dopamine. “Neuro-imaging studies have shown that those who are
texting have the same area of the brain light up as an addict using heroin
(Seyffort ..........).
Addiction can be
substance addiction (such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana) or non
substance/behavioural addiction (such as gambling, gaming, internet, phones).
Addiction, to
anything is the dependence to gain pleasure and cope with life through it. It
comes with the compulsion or intense urge to engage in the act. Limayem (2011)
in his work said, “ evidence of compulsive behaviour bring to light the notion
that the underlying motivator to use a mobile phone is not pleasure ... but
rather a response to heightened stress and anxiety.
Many Nigerians
are observed to be involved in Black Berry use. “The paradox of the phone is
that it gives independence but it also creates dependence” (James Diana, 2007).
Addiction danger signs include running up huge bills and having irrational
reactions to being with, forget or lost the phone (James Diana, 2007).
“It’s not so much
talking on the phone that’s typically the problem although that can have
consequences too, it’s this need to be connected, to know what is going on and
be available to other people. That is one of the hallmarks of cell phone
addiction (Merlo Lisa, 2012).
“Frequent users often become anxious when they
are forced to turn off the phone” (Health, Research, Technology, 2007). When
(cell phone over use) really becomes problematic or a lot of people is if they
have underlying anxiety or depression, this can really exacerbate it or (cause)
their symptoms to manifest themselves (Marlo, 2012).
Many Nigerians
may not admit to their Black Berry addiction to families when questioned or
tried to take away their time from the phone use. “I don’t have a problem,” or
“I am having fun, leave me alone” might be an addict’s response (James, 2007). Also, addiction danger signs included running
up huge bills and having anxiety being without a phone if you forget or lost
your mobile (Grohol, 2007).
Obsessive
Compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a state of
uneasiness, accompanied by dysphoria (discomfort or anguish) and symptoms of
tension.
Obsessive and
Compulsive disorder (OCD) is the awful, intrusive thoughts coming into the
mind, even when you try to keep them out and you have to engage in an action repeatedly
and ritualistic like checking on phone, counting things or washing over and
over.
In Obsessive
compulsive disorder, there is the obsession behaviour (recurrent thought) and
compulsion behaviour (the thing you do over and over again). The behaviour or
mental act are aimed at reducing distress but in turn is distressful.
OCD is the fourth
most common mental disorder, and is diagnosed nearly too often as asthma and
diabetes mellitus. In the United States, one in 50 adults suffers from OCD
(Wikipedia, 2012). OCD affects children, adolescents as well as adults.
Studies have placed the prevalence of the
disorder at between one and three percent, although the prevalence of
clinically recognised OCD is much lower. Suggesting that many individuals with
the disorder may not be diagnosed (Wikipedia, 2012).
Depression is one
of various types of mood disorder. It is a state of sadness, gloom, and
pessimistic ideation, with loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable
activities (Colman, 2003). The word depression is part o f our everyday
language. It is important to realise that feeling depressed is not the same
thing as having a depressive disorder. Technically, when people say they feel
depressed, “low,” or “down,” they are experiencing a depressed mood (Sarason
and sarason, 2005).
It is not yet
very common in Nigeria to go for treatment when they are depressed, except when
they are being referred to a psychologist, by the physicians. People may
therefore, device means of elevating their mood. Research shows that mood
disorders and substance abuse commonly occurs together (National Institute of
Mental Health, 2011). The abuse n the case of this study could be Black Berry.
STATEMENT OF
PROBLEM
Many research works have investigated possible
mental health problems in relation to phone use. Researches has been carried
out in America (Leung, 1999, 2007), Korea (Koo, 2007), Taiwan (Chen, 2004,
2005, 2006) and many other parts of the world but there is dearth of such
researches in Nigeria. Aside Newspaper articles, organised research on mental
health implications of phone use are yet to be explored among Nigerians.
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
The research is
out to find out;
·
To the prevalence of BlackBerry addiction among
Nigerians.
·
To know if there is an underlining mental disorder (OCD,
stress and depression) among Nigerian Black Berry addicts.
·
To know if the social factors (age, gender, occupation,
financial status) of such an individual predispose him or her to Black Berry
addiction.
·
To know if it is the presence of the mental
disorders (OCD, stress and depression) predisposed such an individual to Black
Berry addiction.
·
Or the Black
Berry addiction predisposed such an individual to mental disorders ()
·
PURPOSE OF THE
STUDY
·
This research work is to investigate the addiction
prevalence and to possibly proffer solution to curb the widespread.
·
To gain insight into the possible causes of BB addiction
and give recommendations based on the research outcome
·
To serve has an empirical baseline and or guide to
therapy. That is, it help the Clinical psychologist know what to focus on
during treatment therapy for such individuals.
OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
The research is
aimed at
·
Finding out the possible predisposing factor to Black
Berry addiction.
·
Finding out if use of phone -Black Berry in
particular- is a way of coping with depression, stress and/or anxiety
·
To know the level of Black Berry use.
Click on the related links below and read more.
We can keep you updated on this information, please Subscribe for Free by entering your email address in the space provided.
Do you like this article? Share this article
CONTACT US TODAY FOR OUR SERVICES