Is there a relationship between smartphone addiction and cyber dating abuse among nursing students?

BMC Nursing https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-04859-7 Article in Press Is there a relationship between smartphone addiction and cyber dating abuse among nursing students? Rabiye Erenoğlu & Esma Elif KILIÇ Received: 29 January 2026 Accepted: 3 June 2026 Cite this article as: Erenoğlu R. & Elif KILIÇ E. Is there a relationship between smartphone addiction and cyber dating abuse among nursing students?. BMC Nurs (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12912-026-04859-7 A We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply. E R P S S If this paper is publishing under a Transparent Peer Review model then Peer Review reports will publish with the final article. I T R E L C IN © The Author(s) 2026. 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To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. ACCEPTED ARTICLEMANUSCRIPT IN PRESS Is There a Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Cyber Dating Abuse Among Nursing Students? 1Rabiye ERENOĞLU (Corresponding Author) Prof; RN; PhD) Hatay Mustafa Kemal Universtiy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Gynecology and Obstetric Nursing Department, Hatay, Turkey. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3649-9336, e-mail: , 1(Assoc. 2Esma Elif KILIÇ Nurse, İskenderun State Hospital ,Hatay , Turkey. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7609-7967, e-mail: 2MSc., S S E I T AR E L C IN PR ACCEPTED ARTICLEMANUSCRIPT IN PRESS Abstract Background: Digital technologies, which are widely used today, are increasingly associated with the facilitation of violence-related behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between smartphone addiction and cyberdating abuse, and some of the factors influencing this relationship. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample of the study S S E consisted of all students studying in the nursing department of a state PR university in a province located in the Mediterranean region of southern IN Turkey.The total sample size required for the research was determined as E L C 224. “Personal Information Form”, “Smartphone Addiction Scale Short I T AR Form” and “Cyber Dating Abuse Scale” were used as data collection tools. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation test. Two Mann-Whitney U, Independent-t tests, Kruskal Wallis and OneWay Anova test . The study followed the STROBE reporting guideline. Results: Of the participants, 50.9% were aged 18–20 years, 72.3% were female, 25.9% were third-year students, and 94.9% were single. The mean Smartphone Addiction Scale score was 28.30±9.97, and the mean Cyber Dating Abuse Scale score was 56.30±26.39. A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was found between smartphone addiction and all sub-dimensions of cyber dating abuse, including exposure to monitoring/control (r = .287, p = .003), exposure to direct aggression (r = ACCEPTED ARTICLEMANUSCRIPT IN PRESS .291, p < .001), exposure to violence (r = .278, p < .001), monitoring/control behaviors (r = .199, p = .003), direct aggression behaviors (r = .231, p < .001), and violence behaviors (r = .287, p < .001). Conclusion: A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was found between smartphone addiction and cyber dating abuse. Keywords: Smartphone Addiction, Cyber Dating Abuse, Nursing Students, Digital Technologies, Addiction Introduction The widespread adoption of information and communication technology, S S E especially among younger generations, has fundamentally changed PR society’s consumption of information and consequently transformed communication and interaction patterns. However, alongside the positive E L C IN effects of innovative technologies, increasing evidence suggests emerging I T AR problems related to their misuse [1]. Among these technologies, the internet plays a significant role in identity formation, personal autonomy, and establishing close relationships during young adults. However, it may also be misused for controlling, harassing, and exploiting romantic partners [2]. Furthermore, by increasing accessibility and exposure in digital environments, it may contribute to various forms of victimization, including cyber harassment, cyberbullying, and cyber dating abuse (CDA). Cyber dating abuse is a form of intimate partner violence that occurs within romantic relationships through digital communication technologies [3]. Previous studies indicate that CDA is a widespread issue among ACCEPTED ARTICLEMANUSCRIPT IN PRESS adolescents and young adults [1–4]. A systematic review reported that CDA rates range between 8.1% in the past year and 93.7% over a lifetime [4]. Cyber dating abuse can be explained through Social Learning Theory, which suggests that individuals learn behaviors by observing and imitating others. Exposure to aggressive or controlling behaviors in both online and offline environments may increase the likelihood of reproducing such behaviors in romantic relationships[5]. Recent evidence has associated dating violence with substance use, emotional distress (anger, anxiety, sadness), antisocial behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, exposure to violence, and adherence to traditional S S E gender roles [6,7]. PR Considering that cyber dating abuse is mediated through digital E L C IN communication technologies, smartphone addiction may also be an I T AR important contributing factor. Smartphone addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by loss of control over smartphone use, continued use despite negative consequences, and impaired emotional regulation [8]. Excessive smartphone use may negatively affect users’ personal and social functioning and produce addiction-like symptoms [9]. It is defined as excessive and uncontrolled smartphone use that interferes with daily life [10]. From the perspectiv (...truncated)