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. 2016 Nov 15;11(11):e0163010. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163010

Table 1. Profile of the candidate diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction.

Candidate Criteria Proportion Diagnostic accuracy Sensitivity Specificity Positive Predictive Rate Negative Predictive Rate
A1 Preoccupation with smartphone use, and hence keeping smartphone device available all day 29.9% 69.8% 49.5% 80.4% 57.1% 75.1%
A2 Recurrent failure to resist the impulse to use the smartphone 31.3% 74.7% 58.8% 83.2% 64.8% 79.3%
A3 Tolerance: a marked increase in the duration of smartphone use is needed to achieve satisfaction 27.1% 67.6% 42.3% 81.0% 53.9% 72.7%
A4 Withdrawal: manifested as a dysphoric mood, anxiety and irritability after a period without smartphone use 24.6% 70.1% 42.3% 84.8% 59.4% 73.6%
A5 Smartphone use for a period longer than intended 36.3% 71.2% 60.8% 76.6% 57.8% 78.8%
A6 Persistent desire and/or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or reduce smartphone use 24.2% 70.5% 42.3% 85.3% 60.3% 73.7%
A7 Excessive smartphone use and/or time spent on quitting the smartphone use 40.9% 76.5% 75.3% 77.2% 63.5% 85.5%
A8 Excessive effort spent on smartphone use as much as possible, even when it is inappropriate to use it 42.7% 68.3% 66.0% 69.6% 53.3% 79.5%
A9 Continued excessive smartphone use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem resulting from smartphone overuse 30.5% 76.0% 59.4% 84.7% 67.1% 79.9%
A10 Use of the smartphone to escape or relieve a dysphoric mood (e.g. helpless, guilt, anxiety) 26.5% 69.9% 44.8% 83.1% 58.1% 74.2%
A11 Loss of previous interests, hobbies and entertainment as a result of—and with the exception of—smartphone use 11.8% 69.5% 22.9% 94.0% 66.7% 69.9%
A12 Deception of family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of time spent on smartphone use 9.7% 69.5% 19.8% 95.6% 70.4% 69.4%
B1 Excessive smartphone use resulting in persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems 27.4% 75.8% 54.6% 87.0% 68.8% 78.4%
B2 Smartphone use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., smartphone use while driving, or crossing the street) or significant negative impacts on daily life 28.1% 72.2% 50.5% 83.7% 62.0% 76.2%
B3 Smartphone use resulting in impairment of social relationships, schoolwork or job performance 30.6% 79.7% 64.9% 87.5% 73.3% 82.6%
B4 Excessive smartphone use causes significant subjective distress, or is time-consuming 31.3% 76.2% 60.8% 84.2% 67.1% 80.3%