Science Publication: Journal of Public Health and Nutrition
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): September 2026

The Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Anxiety Levels in Adolescents at SMK Kesehatan Matorkis Padangsidimpuan

Layla Fadhilah Rangkuti (Akademi Kebidanan Matorkis)
Yolanda Putri (Akademi Kebidanan Matorkis)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Oct 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Smartphone addiction is an increasingly common concern among adolescents and has been associated with elevated anxiety symptoms; however, evidence from vocational health-school populations in Indonesia remains limited. This study examined the relationship between smartphone addiction and anxiety levels among adolescents at SMK Kesehatan Matorkis Padangsidimpuan. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted at SMK Kesehatan Matorkis Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra, from January to March 2026. A purposive sample of 150 adolescents aged 14–19 years completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) short version and the anxiety subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation following a Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test. Participants provided informed consent (with parental consent for minors), and ethical approval was granted by the Health Research Ethics Committee of the affiliated university. Results: Moderate smartphone addiction was found in 56.7% of respondents and high addiction in 25.3%; 50.8% experienced anxiety ranging from mild to extremely severe. A statistically significant, moderate positive correlation was found between smartphone addiction and anxiety levels (r = 0.524, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Smartphone addiction was moderately and positively associated with anxiety among adolescents at this vocational health school. Because the design was cross-sectional, causal or directional conclusions cannot be drawn; longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationship between smartphone addiction and anxiety before specific intervention strategies are recommended. Keywords: Smartphone addiction; Anxiety; Adolescents; Mental Health

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Journal Info

Abbrev

SJPHN

Publisher

Subject

Public Health

Description

Science Publication: Journal of Public Health and Nutrition (e-ISSN: 3109-8452) is a scientific journal that has been published since 2025 and presents research articles and literature reviews covering various fields in Public Health science. The scope of themes in this journal includes: ...