Objective To investigate the differences of socio-demographics and smartphone use
features among Chinese college students between problematic smartphone user (PSU) and non-PSU, and to
clarify the link between PSU and psychopathological symptoms (anxiety and depression). Methods A total
of 1 205 undergraduates from 35 classes of 8 universities or colleges, stratified with different school levels,
were selected using the cluster random sampling strategy. The Problematic Cellular Phone Use
Questionnaire (PCPUQ) was used to identify problematic use of smartphone use, and Zung Self-Rating
Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to measure anxiety and
depression symptoms. Results The prevalence of PSU among undergraduates was estimated to be 20.6%. There were significant differences between PSU and non-PSU on their major of either science
category or humanities category (χ2=11.424 ,P<0.01), grade (χ2=5.868 ,P<0.05), monthly living expense
supported by their family (χ2=12.713 ,P<0.01), daily time spent on their smartphones (χ2=20.052, P<0.01),
frequency of changing the mobile phones (χ2=14.511 ,P<0.01) and monthly smartphone bill (χ2=13.107, P<
0.01). Furthermore, the self rated anxiety (34.8% (72/207) vs. 14.6% (117/799)，χ2=43.704, P<0.01) and
depression (36.2%(75/207) vs. 15.4%(123/799), χ2=45.159，P<0.01) were both found more elevated in PSU
than non-PSU. Conclusion Some common sociodemographic variables and smartphone usage patterns were
identified in undergraduates displaying PSU. Moreover, PSU is associated with more elevated anxiety and
depression symptoms.