Smartphone addiction and partner surveillance: The indirect role of cognitive jealousy among Turkish young adults
Authors
Münevver Selenga GürmenFiles
Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether cognitive jealousy functions as an indirect pathway linking smartphone addiction to partner surveillance among Turkish young adults in romantic relationships. Drawing on the behavioral addiction framework and uncertainty reduction perspective, the study focused on how smartphone addiction may be associated with relationship-specific suspicious and ruminative cognitions and digitally enabled monitoring behaviors.
Methods: The sample consisted of 174 Turkish young adults (18 to 30 years) who were currently involved in a romantic relationship. Participants completed self-report measures of smartphone addiction, interpersonal electronic surveillance, and cognitive jealousy. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and an indirect effect analysis. The indirect effect was tested using 5,000 bootstrap resamples and 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Smartphone addiction was positively associated with partner surveillance (r = .34, p < .001) and cognitive jealousy (r = .40, p < .001). Cognitive jealousy was also positively associated with partner surveillance (r = .38, p < .001). The indirect effect of smartphone addiction on partner surveillance through cognitive jealousy was significant, B = 0.126, BootSE = 0.053, 95% CI [0.034, 0.240]. The direct effect remained significant after cognitive jealousy was included in the model.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that cognitive jealousy represents one significant pathway through which smartphone addiction is associated with partner surveillance. Smartphone addiction may be linked to digitally enabled monitoring behaviors not only through increased digital engagement, but also through suspicion, rumination, and perceived relational uncertainty.
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