Given the prominent role that smartphones have in everyday life, research in the field has proliferated. From a
theoretical perspective, problematic smartphone use (PSPU) is described as a multi-faceted phenomenon entailing
a variety of dysfunctional manifestations (e.g., addictive, antisocial and dangerous use). To date, however,
there is still a lack of empirical evidence supporting the identification of PSPU as a potential behavioural
addiction. Driven by theory, the aim of the present study was to provide an empirically validated model by
testing the contribution of specific factors leading to PSPU. Relationships among individual characteristics
(internalised psychopathology, impulsivity and personality traits) and PSPU uses (addictive, antisocial and
dangerous) were investigated according to the updated version of the theoretical framework provided by the
Pathway Model of problematic smartphone use (Billieux et al., 2015). An online survey was administered to a
convenience sample (N=511) of smartphone users in order to examine their daily engagement, problematic
usage patterns and related psychological correlates. Path analysis revealed important information about different
PSPU components and results are discussed in light of the available literature. Recommendations for
future research are proposed to further investigate the problematic behaviour, including the study of additional
variables, such as the fear of missing out (FoMO), nomophobia and excessive social media use.