Ms. Etaf Maqboul, faculty member at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, has co-authored a new research paper published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (September 2025), titled “The prevalence of smartphone addiction and its related risk factors among Palestinian high school students: a cross-sectional study.”
The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Al-Quds University and An-Najah National University, examined more than 1,000 high school students across the West Bank to explore the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its association with depression, anxiety, social support, and academic performance.
Findings revealed that over half (57%) of Palestinian high school students experience signs of smartphone addiction. The research identified several key risk factors, including weak relationships with teachers, sleep disruption, negative effects on academic performance, and limited social support. Students who used their smartphones for fewer than two hours a day were significantly less likely to develop addictive behaviors compared to those with heavier usage.
The authors highlight the growing impact of excessive smartphone use on adolescents’ mental health, sleep quality, and learning outcomes; particularly in contexts marked by political and social stressors. The study calls for preventive awareness programs targeting students, families, and educators to promote healthy smartphone habits and improve mental well-being.
Ms. Maqboul’s contribution to this research underscores Bethlehem University’s continued commitment to advancing public health scholarship and addressing pressing issues affecting Palestinian youth.
Read the full article here.