The Effect of Digital Technology Dependence on Psychological Well-Being: A Mediation Model of Loneliness, Self-Control, and the Quality of Social Relationships
Keywords:
Digital dependence, psychological well-being, loneliness, self-control, social relationship quality, smartphone, qualitative research.Abstract
This study aimed to explain the lived experiences of individuals dependent on digital technologies and clarify how loneliness, diminished self-control, and impaired social relationship quality shape the association between digital dependence and psychological well-being. This qualitative study was conducted using reflexive thematic analysis. The participants were 18 adults aged 18–45 years residing in Tehran, Iran, who were recruited through purposive maximum-variation sampling. Eligibility criteria included persistent and difficult-to-control use of smartphones, social networking platforms, or other internet-connected technologies, accompanied by perceived psychological or interpersonal consequences. Data were collected exclusively through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Theoretical saturation was reached after the sixteenth interview, followed by two additional interviews to confirm saturation. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software. Credibility and dependability were enhanced through participant reflection, peer review, reflexive memoing, and documentation of the analytical process. Five main categories were identified: “erosion of mental calm and fluctuating well-being,” “loneliness within permanent connectivity,” “diminished self-control and the impulse–consumption–regret cycle,” “superficialization of relationships and replacement of physical presence with digital presence,” and “the functional duality of technology and the possibility of restoring personal agency.” Participants described digital dependence as a gradual process through which social comparison, disrupted sleep, mental fatigue, avoidance of unpleasant emotions, reduced tolerance of solitude, impaired concentration, and technological interference in face-to-face communication undermined psychological well-being. Loneliness, reduced self-control, and deterioration in relationship quality appeared to function as interconnected and mutually reinforcing mechanisms. Digital technology dependence does not necessarily impair psychological well-being solely through the amount of time spent online. Its consequences depend on users’ motives, degree of behavioral control, type of consumed content, and whether digital engagement displaces meaningful relationships and offline activities. Loneliness may encourage compensatory digital use, compensatory use may weaken self-control, and constant digital engagement may diminish the quality of in-person relationships. Digital well-being interventions should therefore move beyond screen-time reduction and incorporate self-regulation training, emotional tolerance, face-to-face social connection, digital literacy, and intentional technology use.
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