Locus of control and cell phone use: Implications for sleep quality, academic performance, and subjective well-being

This study centers on the following hypothesis: that individuals with an external locus of control, in comparison to individuals with an internal locus of control, have less control over their cell phone use (i.e., more likely to use at bedtime; more likely to use in class and while studying) and are consequently more vulnerable to the negative outcomes associated with excessive cell phone use (i.e., poor sleep quality, reduced academic performance, and reduced subjective well-being). Methods: Undergraduate college students (N = 516) participated in the study by completing validated surveys assessing their cell phone use, locus of control, sleep quality, academic performance, and subjective well-being. A path model was used to examine how locus of control relates to students' cell phone use and the key outcome variables. Results: The model exhibited reasonable model fit with all paths being statistically significant and in the hypothesized direction. Conclusion: By enabling an individual to better control cell phone use at inopportune times, a greater internal locus of control may mitigate some of the negative outcomes associated with high frequency cell phone use; conversely, an individual with a greater external locus of control may have difficulty controlling use at inopportune times and the negative effects associated with high frequency use may be exacerbated.