Young Adults’ Attachment to Cell Phones, Significant Others, and Marijuana
Poster Number
094
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.
Abstract
We examined young adults’ attachment to their cell phones, parents, friends, significant others, pets, and marijuana. Participants were 120 young adults (74% women; 48% Caucasian) with a mean age of 20.40 (SD = 2.14). Participants evaluated their cell phone usage and reliance with a series of published questionnaires. We used the same reliance statements again, but modified the wording to assess participants' level of reliance on the parent to whom they were emotionally closest. The same statements were modified again to assess participants' level of reliance on the pet to which they have felt closest, followed by the best friend, significant romantic other, and marijuana. Next, participants responded to the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and a self-esteem measure. Results revealed that young adults’ attachment levels to their phones might exceed their attachment levels to most people in their lives, and this finding held true across race and gender in our sample. Participants ranked their romantic partners as their top attachment objects immediately followed by their cell phones. Next, participants ranked their attachment highest with their best friends, parents, and pets. Attachment to marijuana among users was ranked lowest. This ranking might reflect social desirability; however, many adults admitted their marijuana use and reported fairly high levels of drug attachment. The more attached users were to the drug, the more they relied on their cell phone and the less connected they were to significant others. These findings suggest that attachment to one object or person can impact attachment to others.
Course Assignment
PSYC 302 – Sleigh
Previously Presented/Performed?
Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, Florida, March 2019
Start Date
12-4-2019 2:15 PM
End Date
April 2019
Young Adults’ Attachment to Cell Phones, Significant Others, and Marijuana
Richardson Ballroom – DiGiorgio Campus Center
We examined young adults’ attachment to their cell phones, parents, friends, significant others, pets, and marijuana. Participants were 120 young adults (74% women; 48% Caucasian) with a mean age of 20.40 (SD = 2.14). Participants evaluated their cell phone usage and reliance with a series of published questionnaires. We used the same reliance statements again, but modified the wording to assess participants' level of reliance on the parent to whom they were emotionally closest. The same statements were modified again to assess participants' level of reliance on the pet to which they have felt closest, followed by the best friend, significant romantic other, and marijuana. Next, participants responded to the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and a self-esteem measure. Results revealed that young adults’ attachment levels to their phones might exceed their attachment levels to most people in their lives, and this finding held true across race and gender in our sample. Participants ranked their romantic partners as their top attachment objects immediately followed by their cell phones. Next, participants ranked their attachment highest with their best friends, parents, and pets. Attachment to marijuana among users was ranked lowest. This ranking might reflect social desirability; however, many adults admitted their marijuana use and reported fairly high levels of drug attachment. The more attached users were to the drug, the more they relied on their cell phone and the less connected they were to significant others. These findings suggest that attachment to one object or person can impact attachment to others.
