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Daniel Jose Pasquini, Psy.D., is a 2025 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Committee

  • Stephen Southern, EdD, Chairperson
  • Christopher Howard, PsyD, Committee Member
  • Michael McGee, MD, Committee Member

Dr. Pasquini standing outside, wearing a grey suit, arms crossed, in front of evergreens

Dr. Pasquini

Keywords

smartphone, addiction, executive functioning, quantitative, correlational

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Individuals in today’s society, both nationally and globally, have become exceedingly reliant on their smartphones, i.e., cellular devices with the ability to perform many tasks similar to a traditional computer, for both recreational and productivity purposes. As smartphones become increasingly accessible and affordable for the general population, smartphone usage will continue to grow exponentially. As a result, a comprehensive investigation into the possible addictive properties of smartphone usage is warranted. The purpose of this study is to examine and highlight any possible addictive qualities of excessive smartphone usage. The research methodology that will be implemented within the study will be correlational focusing on any potential relationships between excessive smartphone usage and diminished executive functioning, which is a core marker found among both substance and behavioral addictions. Results from the obtained data suggests there is a relatively strong relationship between excessive smartphone usage and impairments in executive functioning, especially in the form of attention and distractibility. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu.

Comments

ORCID No. 0009-0003-1040-7971

Bio:

Gracious greetings,

Welcome to my academic corner of the internet. Thank you for taking the time to peruse my profile. Here you’ll find my dissertation, which examines the addictive qualities of excessive smartphone usage. My passion for this topic emanates from my strong desire to enlighten smartphone users, especially parents of children and adolescents, of the detrimental effects excessive smartphone usage can have on neurophysiological and psychosocial functioning. I hope this body of work is beneficial for those seeking insight regarding this emerging topic.

With love and light, Dr. Pasquini

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